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

Your points are contradictory. If it was necessary to retain Zajac and we were able to accomplish that, than it was a good deal. You may not like the terms, but the only "bad deal" based on your own comments would have been to not retain him. So to be totally clear, you should be saying it was a good deal, but i dislike the final terms.

This contract is comparable to Mikko Koivu's and they are both in that 20 goals, 60 points per year range (although Koivu is more accomplished in the regular season). I don't see anything wrong with this deal seeing that Zajac is our number one center and we cannot afford to lose him. All of the people in here saying it's a terrible deal just look at the stats and then slam their aspie hands on the keyboard. He is our best faceoff man, our best defensive center, our best offensive center. You give this kind of money to a number 1 kind of player. I don't see how this is bad.

Your points are contradictory. If it was necessary to retain Zajac and we were able to accomplish that, than it was a good deal. You may not like the terms, but the only "bad deal" based on your own comments would have been to not retain him. So to be totally clear, you should be saying it was a good deal, but i dislike the final terms.
- WayneZ

Not at all, there is a difference between a good/bad "deal" and a good/bad "signing".
When you overpay for a player that is not a good "deal", it's a bad one. However, even some bad "deals" can be good "signings". Zajac was a necessary signing for NJ but my original response was to the posting stating that it was an "awesome deal" which is just wrong.

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.
- Cooshie

not an over payment at all

he would have received the same or more on the market.

Not at all, there is a difference between a good/bad "deal" and a good/bad "signing".
When you overpay for a player that is not a good "deal", it's a bad one. However, even some bad "deals" can be good "signings". Zajac was a necessary signing for NJ but my original response was to the posting stating that it was an "awesome deal" which is just wrong.
- Cooshie

Looking at somebody who just looked at Zajac's stats page and decided whether or not it was an over payment.

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

Who had Travis Zajac in the pool for "first post-lockout max-length contract"?

Seriously 5.75 million for 8 years and everyone says Luongo's contract is terrible...geez...

The guy missed most of last season and had 44 pts the season before. I don't get it.

Using other crappy contracts as a comparison I.e. Grabovski doesn't really validate Zajac's worth.

This is a Sean Horcoff 2.0

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
- Xnightwish

Do explain 6.5...he is now one of the top players in the league
Due to what?

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

Ah, Richards has a wee bit better track record I'd say.

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

And oh yeah...Gaborik.
- KABLOOEY

Gaborik? If you would, please name all the players who have
Two 40 goal seasons in the last 3 years. Please.

Do explain 6.5...he is now one of the top players in the league
Due to what?
- BobbySchmautz

Yeah, I can't see how he would have received anything over what he got, and I'm guessing Lou paid a bit more than his market value because he didn't wan't to risk losing another key player to free agency. I think it's arguable whether or not he's worth $5 million a year but IMO, he got his max deal.

What are the line combinations going into the season?

good signing. zajac is one of the most underrated played in the league.

a lot of people think it's an overpayment but i watch devils games all the time and he is definitely worth the money.

Yeah, I can't see how he would have received anything over what he got, and I'm guessing Lou paid a bit more than his market value because he didn't wan't to risk losing another key player to free agency. I think it's arguable whether or not he's worth $5 million a year but IMO, he got his max deal.
- MnGump

On the open market he would have easily gotten at least what he got here. There is the whole lovefest with big 1st line centres. I know he isn't a legitimate 1C, but he is definitely a 2C or a 1B and a team that isn't especially strong down the middle(Leafs, Flames, Oilers, Wild, etc.) would most likely have shown him the money if they missed out on Getzlaf(only C better than him this offseason)

What are the line combinations going into the season?
- AlfieisKing

they'll probably be

Zubrus-Zajac-Kovalchuk
Tedenby/Matteau-Elias-Clarkson/Butler
Matteau/Darche/Tedenby-Josefson-Butler/Clarkson
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

Once healthy I think we'll have

Zubrus-Zajac-Kovalchuk
Elias-Henrique-Butler/Clarkson
Darche-Josefson-Clarkson/Butler
Carter-Gionta-Bernier

IMO our success rides on the callups- Matteau, Tedenby, Butler. We'll see who pans out.

We have to resign Clarkson. I've never been the biggest fan of his production/play, but what he brings to the team is important. He's a solid 3rd line RW that can spot 2nd line. But he brings the physical spark plug that no other player has. Henrique has a motor, Kovy has size and skill.. but no one brings the spark like Clarkson while still being serviceable as a hockey player- so Janssen doesn't count. (still no idea why we signed Barch).

I'd give him 3.5/year if he has another good season.
We've always had a guy that can yap. We had Holik, who was also an incredible center. We had Lemieux. We had STEVENS, who didn't need to yap, he'd just look at you. Without Clarkson, we're pretty darn soft. .. unless you consider a player that gets 3 minutes of ice time to give us grit. meh.

On the open market he would have easily gotten at least what he got here. There is the whole lovefest with big 1st line centres. I know he isn't a legitimate 1C, but he is definitely a 2C or a 1B and a team that isn't especially strong down the middle(Leafs, Flames, Oilers, Wild, etc.) would most likely have shown him the money if they missed out on Getzlaf(only C better than him this offseason)
- bobert836

I do think there is something to be said in the new CBA era of contract negotiations as far as what immediate and future players are going to be paid.

Parise got more than his market value IMO, and more or less helped set a precedent for future UFA's. Although Parises deal was somewhat unique as he and Suter signed as a package deal.

good signing. zajac is one of the most underrated played in the league.

a lot of people think it's an overpayment but i watch devils games all the time and he is definitely worth the money.
- rangerdanger94

Surely you jest.

I haven't heard a single thing on the Devils camp how are the boys looking any of the kids surprising

I haven't heard a single thing on the Devils camp how are the boys looking any of the kids surprising
- blizzzard

they look doomed

It's a necessary move at a high price. But Lou also has paid high dollar for players who are loyal and fit the mold in the past. It helps keep the organization and defense-first nature of it stable. Paying a little more to maintain that tradition is an acceptable trade off in my eyes.

Zajac may have more statistically in him as well. Plus, he is one of the better defensive centers around.

The Devils still have some cap room to play with both this year and next. And Zidlicky's 4M comes off next year. There will be room to add a valuable player next year.

With our group of prospects on the defensive side and now in goal as well, I think the future looks bright. Building from Larsson on down with other defense and goaltending is an extension of the defensive-minded tradition of the organization.

Even if we take a hit this year (I personally think we will make the playoffs again in the #6 or #7 area) I don't think it will be long before we start making some strides forward. And we may just have a d-man to deal for some scoring if we need it.

While on paper the loss of Parise looks devastating, we didn't have Zajac last year and Tedenby/Josefson combined for 3 goals last year. I'd think we will get much more than last year's 4 goals combined from those 3 players.

I'm thinking on an 82 game pace here:

Say:

Zajac: 20 pro-rated
Tedenby: 15 pro-rated
Josefson: 12-15 pro-rated

Salvador

they look doomed
- shvingter88

I thought it was they are doomed?

I thought it was they are doomed?
- Lahey

does it really matter? either way they are doomed.