Seems like an overpayment for a guy who's no more then a 3rd line center.
- keatondixon

Just a little.

to be fair i would rather have zajac than parise in a big pressure situation
- Xnightwish

Yeah okay buddy! Still bitter Parise left i see.

I will agree that it is a tiny bit too much, but you have to look at recent contracts and when guys like Grabovski make $5.5m, this is where we're at
- bobert836

Except Grabo is 5 years. 8 years is quite the length for anyone let along someone who's never really been a go to player.

In fairness though on the open market who knows what the guy gets.

That is a big number, RM. I think the Devils are sick off losing their guys in free agency, and were proactive in not letting that happen with Zajac. As a result, however, I think they paid a pretty significant premium.

Now the next question to be answered for him as how does he live up the pressure of playing up to that contract?
- Pete V

Nope. Dont think so. He's just gotta go out and do what Zajac does. Its why he's rewarded. You pay your best players. Plain and simple. He's worth it esp with how thin the team is and with a thin prospect pool.

Except Grabo is 5 years. 8 years is quite the length for anyone let along someone who's never really been a go to player.
- Lahey

Yeah I agree, it's the 8 years that's a little crazy.

In fairness though on the open market who knows what the guy gets.
- KABLOOEY

Well not 8 years that's for sure

In fairness though on the open market who knows what the guy gets.
- KABLOOEY

Rangers woulda prolly gave him 10yr 100mil.

Rangers woulda prolly gave him 10yr 100mil.
- poisondhearts37

Well not 8 years that's for sure
- Lahey

Agreed!

Rangers woulda prolly gave him 10yr 100mil.
- poisondhearts37

the Rangers just gave Del Zotto 2.55 million a year

Yeah okay buddy! Still bitter Parise left i see.
- KABLOOEY

not really, we got his best years

the Rangers just gave Del Zotto 2.55 million a year
- jimbro83

And??? Has them giving some reasonable contracts stopped them from giving out redic contracts before? Dont think so.

Plus. Dont take crap to serious

and if anyone thinks zajac wouldn't have been hyped up to the moon if he hit free agency you're crazy, i think he couldve gotten 6-6.5mil on the open market easy. His value immediately plummeted in other fans eyes as soon as he signed with NJ long term...just like every other devil player

And??? Has them giving some reasonable contracts stopped them from giving out redic contracts before? Dont think so.

Plus. Dont take crap to serious
- poisondhearts37

Kings are throwing 7 million dollar deals around themselves.

I like how suddenly there are Kings fans. LOL.

and if anyone thinks zajac wouldn't have been hyped up to the moon if he hit free agency you're crazy, i think he couldve gotten 6-6.5mil on the open market easy
- Xnightwish

Maybe (thats a big maybe) but only for 2 or 3 years. 8years is crazy. No?

Nope. Dont think so. He's just gotta go out and do what Zajac does. Its why he's rewarded. You pay your best players. Plain and simple. He's worth it esp with how thin the team is and with a thin prospect pool.
- poisondhearts37

Yup. If there is ever a time when Zajac has more pressure than Kovy, then the Devils must be doing something right, because people are actually talking about the team.

the Rangers just gave Del Zotto 2.55 million a year
- jimbro83

That's a great deal. I'm guessing Subban isn't too happy about it though.

Nope. Dont think so. He's just gotta go out and do what Zajac does. Its why he's rewarded. You pay your best players. Plain and simple. He's worth it esp with how thin the team is and with a thin prospect pool.
- poisondhearts37

I don't necessarily disagree with the signings, because they Devils are thin at center, and if they don't re-sign Zajac it is unlikely that they would be able to find a reasonably equivalent player on the free agent market for much less.

Where I'll disagree is this. When you pay a very good, but not great player, great player money there is going to be pressure on them to perform. Zajac has been in the league 6 years, and has cleared the 60 point plateau twice (although he lost most of last year to injury). His salary number will come with higher expectations to produce, and it is not that unusual where players have some of their worst years coming of the signings of big deals. Not saying it will happen to Zajac, just saying it is something to look out for.

That's a great deal. I'm guessing Subban isn't too happy about it though.
- KABLOOEY

the Rangers very rarely overpay their own players, where they have overspent in the past is while bidding for UFA players.

Sometimes we successful trade those contracts to Calgary though

Pressure signing, cause the Devils could not afford to lose another key player!
$$$ is OK, however, 8 year contract is just toooo long.

Maybe (thats a big maybe) but only for 2 or 3 years. 8years is crazy. No?
- KABLOOEY

how is it less crazy than a 13 year suter contract? or the 9+ year richards(s) contracts?

Kings are throwing 7 million dollar deals around themselves.

I like how suddenly there are Kings fans. LOL.
- jimbro83

Your bad dude. Just bad. We have almost 2 7mil contracts. And those two are our two best players. Your bad contracts were never your best players. Good day.

the Rangers very rarely overpay their own players, where they have overspent in the past is while bidding for UFA players.

Sometimes we successful trade those contracts to Calgary though
- jimbro83

Or Montreal, or burry them in the minors...

And oh yeah...Gaborik.

the Rangers very rarely overpay their own players, where they have overspent in the past is while bidding for UFA players.

Sometimes we successful trade those contracts to Calgary though
- jimbro83

Montreal