Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Re-Sign Travis Zajac

its about time we signed a big player BEFORE free agency, do you think this puts him in the running for the C?

I love that they gave him Pari$e's locker too.

its about time we signed a big player BEFORE free agency, do you think this puts him in the running for the C?
- Xnightwish

It's possible. Think he'll end up with an "A", though.

I love that they gave him Pari$e's locker too.
- Kovaltron

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

Hearing 5.75/yr 8 years...nice little payday for travis

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.

saweet can't believe ek says we have asked about benn im sure lots have and hes been wrong more then his fair share of times but just the thought excites me

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

agreed, it feels less like a gamble than parise for 7mil+

Mike Harrington ‏@BNHarrington
So #Devils just gave Travis Zajac -- he of no 30-goal or 70-point seasons -- 8 years and $46 million. We had a lockout again because? ...

Nolan Kelly ‏@nolanknowsbest
Travis Zajac now makes 300k less than the Sedin twins.

Lamoriello also said that Henrique started skating today and is a few weeks away from being ready.

I wont troll since I dont know much about Zajac but doesn 5.75M seem a little much for him? Just asking nobody lose their marbles please!
6M (nearly) is a lot of money under this new CBA... like I said idk much about him, from my perspective he was a very very good 2nd line center.
That beeing said he now makes 300 k less than 2 of the most talented players in the game (the Sedins)...
Seems like too much IMO. 5M would've been more appropriate.

Mike Harrington ‏@BNHarrington
So #Devils just gave Travis Zajac -- he of no 30-goal or 70-point seasons -- 8 years and $46 million. We had a lockout again because? ...

Nolan Kelly ‏@nolanknowsbest
Travis Zajac now makes 300k less than the Sedin twins.
- jimbro83

Yeah 5.75 per is totally why there was a lockout. Nothing to do with the Rangers handing out 7 mil + contracts like they are candy.

Mike Harrington ‏@BNHarrington
So #Devils just gave Travis Zajac -- he of no 30-goal or 70-point seasons -- 8 years and $46 million. We had a lockout again because? ...


- jimbro83

"Zajac had an excellent postseason. And responding to it that way is how you end up w/Ville Leino."

This guy seems like he really knows what he's talking about.

Yeah 5.75 per is totally why there was a lockout. Nothing to do with the Rangers handing out 7 mil + contracts like they are candy.
- Kovaltron

Yes and they created the "Ranger" rule for Gomez/Redden because of it

"Zajac had an excellent postseason. And responding to it that way is how you end up w/Ville Leino."

This guy seems like he really knows what he's talking about.
- rmdevil313

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?

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

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

See: 2010 Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Gold Medal game

I wont troll since I dont know much about Zajac but doesn 5.75M seem a little much for him? Just asking nobody lose their marbles please!
6M (nearly) is a lot of money under this new CBA... like I said idk much about him, from my perspective he was a very very good 2nd line center.
That beeing said he now makes 300 k less than 2 of the most talented players in the game (the Sedins)...
Seems like too much IMO. 5M would've been more appropriate.
- FLYERSROCK!

its a weird situation, i think its just right because we need a top line center for the duration, and also as far as damage control we could NOT lose another top FA this year or we would never be able to attract anybody to the team. I still think Lou is shopping a couple of our D to pick up a good forward, and players seeing what zajac got would actually make them ponder coming over here. Plus i'm kinda tired of determining a forwards worth by goals and assists alone, there is MUCH more than that, hence why we signed kovy and didn't say 'hey do your thing and score a bunch of goals! defense be damned!'

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

I am surprised its 8 years, but 5.75 per year is fine for me.

I know Lou had to get the deal done, but seems a bit much.

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

3rd liner centre's put up 60+ points and 20+ goals regularly?

Lots of money for him!!!

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

I know Lou had to get the deal done, but seems a bit much.
- Lahey

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