my bad. i thought this said zach parise.
- ron_mexico7

Oh, boo.

I like the signing, because I like Zajac and had he went UFA, we would have lost him to a team willing to pay him north of 6 million. He is a complete player, and a typical Devil in that regard. People will inevitably dislike the contract due to his less than impressive point production, and there really isn't much you can do to stop that.

He kills PKs, he is one of the best back checkers in hockey, he is great play maker and he can pot 20 a year. The price tag is high, but losing him, with our lack of center prospects would have been devastating.

+++++++++++++++++

On to the important stuff. Resign Gomez for <1m. Reunite him with Patty, and place Gio junior on the wing, and we'll have the EGG line v2.0. Who's with me? Who's with me?

I like the signing, because I like Zajac and had he went UFA, we would have lost him to a team willing to pay him north of 6 million. He is a complete player, and a typical Devil in that regard. People will inevitably dislike the contract due to his less than impressive point production, and there really isn't much you can do to stop that.

He kills PKs, he is one of the best back checkers in hockey, he is great play maker and he can pot 20 a year. The price tag is high, but losing him, with our lack of center prospects would have been devastating.

+++++++++++++++++

On to the important stuff. Resign Gomez for <1m. Reunite him with Patty, and place Gio junior on the wing, and we'll have the EGG line v2.0. Who's with me? Who's with me?
- WayneZ

I think Gomez is gonna get around 1.5m short term, I kinda hope it's us even with all the controversy surrounding him. It would be interesting at least

He does so much more than score. He is absolutely tremendous in his own end and is capable of scoring 30 goals per. It's not sour grapes when I say this, but I am happier we signed him to a 5.75 per deal than a 7 mil + deal for Parise who is pretty one dimensional. He is a great player but Zajac coming back from injury is one of the main reasons we made it as far as we did last season.
- Kovaltron

Wow! You really know how to talk yourself into a good mood! C'mon man, Parise is one dimensional? I get NJ fans are bitter but that statement completely flys in the face of what ZP accomplished and meant to the Devils team and fans.

I don't blame you for sour grapes, but be reasonable. Zajac is a great signing for the Devils but I don't think he'll be averaging 30 goals per season being he's only averaged 42 points per over his six seasons in the NHL. And how much will his game be affected by the depature of Mr. One Dimension?

mc79hockey ‏@mc79hockey
That Zajac deal looks awfully Horcoffian to me.
- jimbro83

This. Exactly this.

I like the signing, because I like Zajac and had he went UFA, we would have lost him to a team willing to pay him north of 6 million. He is a complete player, and a typical Devil in that regard. People will inevitably dislike the contract due to his less than impressive point production, and there really isn't much you can do to stop that.

He kills PKs, he is one of the best back checkers in hockey, he is great play maker and he can pot 20 a year. The price tag is high, but losing him, with our lack of center prospects would have been devastating.

+++++++++++++++++

On to the important stuff. Resign Gomez for <1m. Reunite him with Patty, and place Gio junior on the wing, and we'll have the EGG line v2.0. Who's with me? Who's with me?
- WayneZ

1.333 tops imo. He still has it. Call me delusional

I usually agree with you on your opinions, this is no different. Spot on about Zajac. People don't appreciate back checking enough, the cool kids are all about the forechecking.

Wow! You really know how to talk yourself into a good mood! C'mon man, Parise is one dimensional? I get NJ fans are bitter but that statement completely flys in the face of what ZP accomplished and meant to the Devils team and fans.

I don't blame you for sour grapes, but be reasonable. Zajac is a great signing for the Devils but I don't think he'll be averaging 30 goals per season being he's only averaged 42 points per over his six seasons in the NHL. And how much will his game be affected by the depature of Mr. One Dimension?
- MnGump

42 points when you average in his points in 15 games like it's a full season, get a (frank)ing clue. Zajac is way too important to this Devils team for him to walk. If he walked, they would've faced an inevitable rebuild that likely wouldn't have started to be effective for another four or five years. Zajac is a solid 50-65 point center you can rely on in every situation, and he definitely got overpaid a bit because of how crucial he is when looking at the team.

However, it's not as ludicrous as people are making it out to seem. This cap hit will be insignificant when the cap inevitably rises from the 64.3 million, and by no means does it handicap the Devils. The Devils still have TONS of cap space in 2013-2014 and like I said, when the cap rises, it's not going to be as significant as it looks now

Wow! You really know how to talk yourself into a good mood! C'mon man, Parise is one dimensional? I get NJ fans are bitter but that statement completely flys in the face of what ZP accomplished and meant to the Devils team and fans.

I don't blame you for sour grapes, but be reasonable. Zajac is a great signing for the Devils but I don't think he'll be averaging 30 goals per season being he's only averaged 42 points per over his six seasons in the NHL. And how much will his game be affected by the depature of Mr. One Dimension?
- MnGump

I think Parise is one of the most complete two way players in hockey. Not sure what Kovaltron was eluding to with that post. The only two knocks I had on Parise were; 1. He cannot score unless he is within 3 feet of the net. (It wasn't an issue when he was in NJ, so it was a minor concern. 2. No player can sustain that level of intensity over the course of a long career. Parise's greatest asset is based on heart and determination and not skill. I always wondered how he would age as a player, when he could not maintain that level of pursuit. Only time will tell.

42 points when you average in his points in 15 games like it's a full season, get a (frank)ing clue. Zajac is way too important to this Devils team for him to walk. If he walked, they would've faced an inevitable rebuild that likely wouldn't have started to be effective for another four or five years. Zajac is a solid 50-65 point center you can rely on in every situation, and he definitely got overpaid a bit because of how crucial he is when looking at the team.

However, it's not as ludicrous as people are making it out to seem. This cap hit will be insignificant when the cap inevitably rises from the 64.3 million, and by no means does it handicap the Devils. The Devils still have TONS of cap space in 2013-2014 and like I said, when the cap rises, it's not going to be as significant as it looks now
- _Zippy_

Correct, as in over 26M including this contract addition with the new cap in place. Plenty of cash to throw around to resign Elias, Clarkson, Henrique, Zubrus and Zidlicky. That is, if we want to keep them all. No way that we aren't big spenders next offseason.

42 points when you average in his points in 15 games like it's a full season, get a (frank)ing clue. Zajac is way too important to this Devils team for him to walk. If he walked, they would've faced an inevitable rebuild that likely wouldn't have started to be effective for another four or five years. Zajac is a solid 50-65 point center you can rely on in every situation, and he definitely got overpaid a bit because of how crucial he is when looking at the team.

However, it's not as ludicrous as people are making it out to seem. This cap hit will be insignificant when the cap inevitably rises from the 64.3 million, and by no means does it handicap the Devils. The Devils still have TONS of cap space in 2013-2014 and like I said, when the cap rises, it's not going to be as significant as it looks now
- _Zippy_

I said it was a good signing. In the grand scheme of things, I don't think the Devils over payed. But I'm not sure he would have got that much anywhere else. I think Lou knew he had to lock up Zajac whatever way he could. He's a key piece in the Devils lineup. I just don't think he'll average 30+ goals a season. Probably come close though, depending on how much Parises presence had to do with his success.

After this CBA and seeing MDZ sign for 2.55 / season. This is disgusting. Don't care how good he is in his own zone blah blah blah.

4.5 mill is all he is worth in the new CBA world. No one wants to play for the devils for some reason thats why he is getting almost 6 mill per season. No other team would of paid him that much.

After this CBA and seeing MDZ sign for 2.55 / season. This is disgusting. Don't care how good he is in his own zone blah blah blah.

4.5 mill is all he is worth in the new CBA world. No one wants to play for the devils for some reason thats why he is getting almost 6 mill per season. No other team would of paid him that much.
- Aerchon

I do. Your theory has been debunked.

I think Parise is one of the most complete two way players in hockey. Not sure what Kovaltron was eluding to with that post. The only two knocks I had on Parise were; 1. He cannot score unless he is within 3 feet of the net. (It wasn't an issue when he was in NJ, so it was a minor concern. 2. No player can sustain that level of intensity over the course of a long career. Parise's greatest asset is based on heart and determination and not skill. I always wondered how he would age as a player, when he could not maintain that level of pursuit. Only time will tell.
- WayneZ

I don't think there's any doubt that the Devils organization got the best years of Parises career. But hopefully he still has at least 4 or 5 more in him. It will be interesting to see what transpires over the next few seasons for both teams.

I don't think there's any doubt that the Devils organization got the best years of Parises career. But hopefully he still has at least 4 or 5 more in him. It will be interesting to see what transpires over the next few seasons for both teams.
- MnGump

I think it was a great move by Minny. I wouldn't have paid the price he demanded to keep him in NJ, but Minny had the room, and got a top notch player and leader. Its hard to hate on him for his year long nonsense about only wanting to stay in NJ, and then leaving, when Kovalchuk did the exact same thing to Atlanta. It's a business. I just hope we can replace him on the forecheck, he is unrivaled on the attack, from that perspective.

He kills PKs, he is one of the best back checkers in hockey, he is great play maker and he can pot 20 a year. The price tag is high, but losing him, with our lack of center prospects would have been devastating.
- WayneZ

The problem is that this description sounds like a defensive center for the most part. I'm all for re-signing Zajac, but the money is a bit steep. He was injured all of last season, too. Sure he's the Devil's best center, but he's essentially a #2 center posing as a number one on the Devils.

The problem is that this description sounds like a defensive center for the most part. I'm all for re-signing Zajac, but the money is a bit steep. He was injured all of last season, too. Sure he's the Devil's best center, but he's essentially a #2 center posing as a number one on the Devils.
- ElvisLemieux

He may very well be a Bobby Carpenter/John Madden type, towards the end of this contract, but losing him at this juncture would be a bad thing. I'm not crazy about the numbers, but i would have been even more pissed had he ran off to Minny to play with Parise, and left us with a glaring hole up the middle.

I said it was a good signing. In the grand scheme of things, I don't think the Devils over payed. But I'm not sure he would have got that much anywhere else. I think Lou knew he had to lock up Zajac whatever way he could. He's a key piece in the Devils lineup. I just don't think he'll average 30+ goals a season. Probably come close though, depending on how much Parises presence had to do with his success.
- MnGump

He would've likely been the second most wanted forward after Getzlaf went for god knows how much. I think teams would've definitely offered him 6 million plus if someone like Toronto lost out on Getzlaf.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Re-Sign Travis Zajac
- Todd.Cordell

awesome deal!

I think it was a great move by Minny. I wouldn't have paid the price he demanded to keep him in NJ, but Minny had the room, and got a top notch player and leader. Its hard to hate on him for his year long nonsense about only wanting to stay in NJ, and then leaving, when Kovalchuk did the exact same thing to Atlanta. It's a business. I just hope we can replace him on the forecheck, he is unrivaled on the attack, from that perspective.
- WayneZ

Parise has been the talk of Minnesotans since his days at Shattuck-St. Mary's and his decision to attend North Dakota instead of the U of M. His dad played and was Captain for the North Stars, so obviously he had strong ties to the state and people.

I certainly don't think he's worth the money he got, but it definitely was huge for Wild fans to get their home grown star finally back playing in the State of Hockey! It'll be pretty difficult for him to disappoint the fans here in Minny. People are pretty jacked to see him play in a Wild sweater.

Like you said, it's a business, and I don't think anyone can blame these guys for making tough decisions that will always affect fans one way or the other. I do think he would like to have stayed in NJ had the money been available to him there. From everything I've heard here in the MN media, he's remained constant that it was one of the toughest decisions he's ever had to make and don't forget, he did opt to snub the U of M to go to N.Dak( the U of M's bitter rival).

Parise has been the talk of Minnesotans since his days at Shattuck-St. Mary's and his decision to attend North Dakota instead of the U of M. His dad played and was Captain for the North Stars, so obviously he had strong ties to the state and people.

I certainly don't think he's worth the money he got, but it definitely was huge for Wild fans to get their home grown star finally back playing in the State of Hockey! It'll be pretty difficult for him to disappoint the fans here in Minny. People are pretty jacked to see him play in a Wild sweater.

Like you said, it's a business, and I don't think anyone can blame these guys for making tough decisions that will always affect fans one way or the other. I do think he would like to have stayed in NJ had the money been available to him there. From everything I've heard here in the MN media, he's remained constant that it was one of the toughest decisions he's ever had to make and don't forget, he did opt to snub the U of M to go to N.Dak( the U of M's bitter rival).
- MnGump

He likely would've stayed had Suter not gone to Minnesota. I, unlike others, harbor no ill feelings toward him. I think the contract and the money he got for his type of player is pretty absurd, because like WayneZ said, his style of play is not one that lends itself to a long career, although others have done it, so it's not like it can't be done. The Devils certainly offered him a good deal, probably not as much as Minnesota did, but definitely enough for him to consider resigning on July 1st and even when it came down to the wire, Devils and Wild were the last two teams remaining.

I understand why he did it, and I don't blame him. For some reason some Devils fans seem to think that he loves the Devils and is loyal to them just as much as we are, when quite honestly, that's rarely the case.

He likely would've stayed had Suter not gone to Minnesota. I, unlike others, harbor no ill feelings toward him. I think the contract and the money he got for his type of player is pretty absurd, because like WayneZ said, his style of play is not one that lends itself to a long career, although others have done it, so it's not like it can't be done. The Devils certainly offered him a good deal, probably not as much as Minnesota did, but definitely enough for him to consider resigning on July 1st and even when it came down to the wire, Devils and Wild were the last two teams remaining.

I understand why he did it, and I don't blame him. For some reason some Devils fans seem to think that he loves the Devils and is loyal to them just as much as we are, when quite honestly, that's rarely the case.
- _Zippy_

Yep, I think you nailed it. If Suter hadn't been in the mix with him, probably an excellent chance he stays in NJ.

awesome deal!
- shvingter88

LOL - you make it sound like you got him for 4mill. It was a good signing for NJ but far from an "awesome" deal - in fact, it was an overpayment which makes it a bad deal - but a necessary one for NJ.

LOL - you make it sound like you got him for 4mill. It was a good signing for NJ but for from an "awesome" deal - in fact, it was an overpayment which makes it a bad deal - but a necessary one for NJ.
- Cooshie

Awesome deal considering if we lost him we would be faced with an inevitable rebuild with a pretty bare forward group both on the NHL level and prospect-wise.

Awesome deal considering if we lost him we would be faced with an inevitable rebuild with a pretty bare forward group both on the NHL level and prospect-wise.
- _Zippy_

Nope, an over payment makes it a bad deal - but as I said, a necessary signing for multiple reasons - including the one you stated above.

Nope, an over payment makes it a bad deal - but as I said, a necessary signing for multiple reasons - including the one you stated above.
- Cooshie

Overpayment is irrelevant to us. 26 million in cap space for next year with our entire defense signed and goaltending signed as well. We have 26 million to resign Elias, Zubrus, Clarkson, Henrique, Josefson, and Butler. The last three aren't likely to make any more than 3 million while the other guys will either take the same salaries or slight pay cuts, if they return.

So if it doesn't handicap us now, it won't handicap us in the future when the cap ceiling keeps going up and up, making the 5.75 million an afterthought. Plus, the Devils are paying him like he's a first line center because he is our first line center. A Zajac-Henrique-Josefson center group is going to be very formidable in the near future, especially considering Lou has stocked up on winger prospects.