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Forums :: Blog World :: Todd Cordell: Pavel Zacha has been one of the NHL's best penalty killers
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Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 09.05.2011

May 7 @ 1:36 PM ET
Todd Cordell: Pavel Zacha has been one of the NHL's best penalty killers
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

May 7 @ 1:40 PM ET
I agree. He's not a BAD player, he just hasn't panned out as well as the other players you mentioned to date.
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

May 7 @ 2:06 PM ET

The Devils took a forward because the team was desperate for offense. While I appreciate forwards being defensively responsible we need this guy to put up points.

He's just turned 21 and looked a lot better this year. I'm not giving up on him.
Devilspep87
New Jersey Devils
Location: Devils Land, NJ
Joined: 05.05.2017

May 7 @ 2:28 PM ET
The biggest compliment I can give him so far is he's better then Josefson...not saying much. Hopefully he can at least hit 40 points. Sucks he couldn't hit even 10 goals and with all his "skill" was outscored by all the grinders on the team.
RubberBiscuitz
New Jersey Devils
Location: NJ
Joined: 11.12.2011

May 7 @ 2:50 PM ET
Like many players on this team, let’s see if he takes another step forward next season. Every time we thought JJ was gonna take a step forward, he ended up breaking both feet.
104shutout30
New Jersey Devils
Location: Holbrook, NY
Joined: 07.11.2007

May 7 @ 3:09 PM ET
If Johansson didn't miss such a huge chunk of the season I think they would've helped each other out in the scoring department. Zacha has shown flashes of creativity and vision but he really needs to develop chemistry with his linemates and that can't happen if he misses 10 games while others are missing 50 games. I'm not saying if all players are healthy he'll suddenly be a 60 point player but I think he could get to 45 while also being crucial to the penalty kill.
Leniwm1
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Joined: 02.24.2015

May 7 @ 3:13 PM ET
I love how "Devils fans" with no talent talk poop about Zacha. Dude has done nothing wrong but fail to live up to YOUR expectations.

His passing vision and sneaky little passes is on par with Elias. He is so underrated. He needs better line mates.

Stop female doging

ALSO when you get into NHL and right away are told to play more defense you get scared to show your offence if it means you'll be benched. Instead of going the Rick Nash route where you are all offence then later in career to become defensive, in Zachas case that hasnt helped him blossom and learn to score in NHL. Thats the problem with making kids with high end skill play defensive from the get go.
Devils314
New Jersey Devils
Location: NY
Joined: 08.16.2016

May 7 @ 3:20 PM ET
Think Zacha needs a more consistent group of line mates to build chemistry with, the Devils as a team need to build chemistry hoping we see them progress this season just look at a team like Tampa most of them have been playing together for years hopefully Shero can keep the band together long enough for that too happen
Feds91Stammer
Detroit Red Wings
Location: "China was as proactive as possible" - Rinosaur, SC
Joined: 02.01.2012

May 7 @ 3:51 PM ET
Bertuzzi for Zacha
devfan30
New Jersey Devils
Location: totowa, NJ
Joined: 12.18.2007

May 7 @ 5:16 PM ET
I would try and find someone to give me something for him. He will never amount to anything more than a 3rd or 4th line player. If he was a 3rd round draft choice, he would be called and over achiever, with the 6th pick in round one he is called a bust. Plus if mike macleod is ready to play at the NHL level next season, he may not have a spot on this teams roster with hischier,macleod,zajac and boyle all playing center.
Pomegrant
New Jersey Devils
Location: NJ
Joined: 01.18.2010

May 7 @ 6:17 PM ET
If you think a player is a bust after they've only played two seasons you are an idiot.
devfan30
New Jersey Devils
Location: totowa, NJ
Joined: 12.18.2007

May 7 @ 6:39 PM ET
If you think a player is a bust after they've only played two seasons you are an idiot.
- Pomegrant

Funny you told me the same thing about my calls on tedneby,josefson,larsson, etc. Getting the same poor excuses we heard about tedenby and josefson, needs more ice time, needs better linemates, he just isn't that good!! Time to cut bait, find a sucker to give you something for him or add him as an extra part in a bigger trade. Pavel Zacha will just go down as the last of a decade long piss poor drafting scheme by the lamerillo/conte regime.
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

May 7 @ 6:41 PM ET
I love how "Devils fans" with no talent talk poop about Zacha. Dude has done nothing wrong but fail to live up to YOUR expectations.

His passing vision and sneaky little passes is on par with Elias. He is so underrated. He needs better line mates.

Stop female doging

ALSO when you get into NHL and right away are told to play more defense you get scared to show your offence if it means you'll be benched. Instead of going the Rick Nash route where you are all offence then later in career to become defensive, in Zachas case that hasnt helped him blossom and learn to score in NHL. Thats the problem with making kids with high end skill play defensive from the get go.

- Leniwm1


So “Devils Fans” are in quotes because if we don’t want to eat the corn out of Zacha’s poop we don’t really like the club? And how the (frank) do you know how talented I am? Yes, Zacha is a better hockey player but I’ll bet I’m a better property manager. Quite talented actually. And I can play piano like a mother(frank)er. You’d be impressed. I won’t even mention the hockey team I coach has won back to back championships (true) but I only run the D and don’t take credit for that. Just saying I’m dripping with talent. Like Jesus but less preachy.

So sure Pavel hasn’t lived up to my expectations and that’s fine. He hasn’t lived up to the TEAMS either. That’s why it’s a concern.

Mostly I’m just (frank)ing with you but if you’re honestly comparing him to Elias you have less credibility then Amy Fisher... at least per Mary Jo Buttafuoco.
Leniwm1
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Joined: 02.24.2015

May 7 @ 7:03 PM ET
So “Devils Fans” are in quotes because if we don’t want to eat the corn out of Zacha’s poop we don’t really like the club? And how the (frank) do you know how talented I am? Yes, Zacha is a better hockey player but I’ll bet I’m a better property manager. Quite talented actually. And I can play piano like a mother(frank)er. You’d be impressed. I won’t even mention the hockey team I coach has won back to back championships (true) but I only run the D and don’t take credit for that. Just saying I’m dripping with talent. Like Jesus but less preachy.

So sure Pavel hasn’t lived up to my expectations and that’s fine. He hasn’t lived up to the TEAMS either. That’s why it’s a concern.

Mostly I’m just (frank)ing with you but if you’re honestly comparing him to Elias you have less credibility then Amy Fisher... at least per Mary Jo Buttafuoco.

- Queenie_5_hole


i compared his pass skills to elias yes. And you shouldnt be eating corn out of any hockey players poop.

People gonna laugh when I say, If Zacha became a playmaker at heart, he can be our Joe Thornton. I really believe that. Great vision, passing, great a protecting puck, big frame. having one job to dish the puck will make it simpler for him too.
Pomegrant
New Jersey Devils
Location: NJ
Joined: 01.18.2010

May 7 @ 7:22 PM ET
Funny you told me the same thing about my calls on tedneby,josefson,larsson, etc. Getting the same poor excuses we heard about tedenby and josefson, needs more ice time, needs better linemates, he just isn't that good!! Time to cut bait, find a sucker to give you something for him or add him as an extra part in a bigger trade. Pavel Zacha will just go down as the last of a decade long piss poor drafting scheme by the lamerillo/conte regime.
- devfan30

reasoning with you is impossible because you're brain dead. just go crawl into your hole and never leave.
Thunder_daddy
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Van isle ferda, BC
Joined: 09.06.2015

May 7 @ 11:57 PM ET
Started the season pretty slow and got better and better as the year went on and I thought he was the best player not named Hall, Hishier or Vatanen in the post season. I think he's going to have a very good year coming up.
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

May 7 @ 11:57 PM ET
i compared his pass skills to elias yes. And you shouldnt be eating corn out of any hockey players poop.

People gonna laugh when I say, If Zacha became a playmaker at heart, he can be our Joe Thornton. I really believe that. Great vision, passing, great a protecting puck, big frame. having one job to dish the puck will make it simpler for him too.

- Leniwm1


Good point about not eating poop and I certainly hope you’re right about Zacha.

I like the kid and think he’ll continue to improve.
TRDevil
New Jersey Devils
Location: Toms River, NJ
Joined: 04.04.2014

May 8 @ 7:31 AM ET
Zachattack!
rawwdogg88
New Jersey Devils
Location: NJ
Joined: 06.18.2013

May 8 @ 8:30 AM ET
Too many people are too optimistic and overrate Zacha. I feel like every year since he's been drafted it's the same thing. "Oh, but IF he can produce consistently. IF he can get his confidence on track. IF he had some better line mates. IF he had consistent playing time." Really tired of hearing all the IF'S.

I get it, we all want him to become at least a 40-50 point producer and a solid 2C. I just don't see it, and don't believe he ever will be until he proves otherwise. It's a young mans game now, and Zacha is light years behind almost every player who was drafted around his spot, and they are all around the same age. I really hope here turns out to be a dependable 2C, I'm just not as optimistic as the rest of yous, my fellow Devils fans.
smellmyfinger
New Jersey Devils
Location: NJ
Joined: 07.28.2011

May 8 @ 10:35 AM ET
Schneider outnfor 5 months for hip surgery. There’s the nagging injury he was playing through.
dmarsden2988
New Jersey Devils
Location: stafford is about equal to rya, NJ
Joined: 03.07.2011

May 8 @ 10:35 AM ET
Hall had surgery to repair ligaments in hand will be ready for September

Schneider had surgery on his hip, 5month recovery period

Maroon back surgery