Devils

Addressing Travis Zajac To The Maple Leafs Rumors

Sep 28, 2015 • 4:51 pm

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About a week ago Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman mentioned in his 30 Thoughts column that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello may very well be interested in Travis Zajac.

7. There’s more than one NHL exec who thinks Lou Lamoriello would love to get his hands on Travis Zajac.

Since Friedman wrote that Zajac has been the talk of the hockey world with many fans and media members speculating on what a potential trade could look like.

Most have mentioned Toronto acquiring a high draft pick or promising young player like Damon Severson(!) in exchange for 'taking on Zajac's contract'.

This topic has been an elephant in the room for about a week now so I figured it's about time to address it.

1) First and foremost I should say I doubt anything will come of this. The Maple Leafs are rebuilding so, depending on the trade, it probably doesn't make sense to go out and acquire a 30-year-old center who will carry a $5.75 million cap-hit for the next six seasons (this year included).

2) Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello is known for calling off potential trades, signings and/or hirings if and when his intentions are leaked to the media. Devils GM Ray Shero is also tight-lipped and very rarely does anyone find out a move he plans on making until after it is made. Obviously there are exceptions to everything but I just can't see a deal talked about this much coming to fruition when each party is known for keeping things to themselves.

3) Friedman doesn't mince his words. He is stating that based on what he has heard it is Lamoriello that wants Zajac, not Shero that wants to part ways with him. That doesn't mean Toronto can dump their garbage on New Jersey or ask for the world - some suggested Damon Severson(!!!) - in return for 'taking on Zajac's contract'. It's Lamoriello that wants him.

4) Zajac had a down year last season playing on one of the worst offensive teams in hockey. He played top competition on a nightly basis and had Jordin Tootoo on his wing for 1/3 of his even-strength ice time. If you include Martin Havlat, who recorded 14 points in 40 games, Zajac spent 537 of his 1,047 even-strength minutes tied down by at least one player who recorded 15 points or fewer. That's over half of his ice time. You want to see more from a guy making what Zajac makes but it's awfully tough to produce without help while playing tough minutes.

Zajac recorded 48 points in 80 games during the 2013-14 season and realistically could have been in the conversation for the Selke. He's a lot closer to that guy than the one we saw last season.

5) You could make a case Travis Zajac is New Jersey's best center. At worst he's No. 2 behind Adam Henrique and that's very debatable. Whether he's worth his contract or not the Devils aren't going to just give him away and (there's more!) move an asset valuable to their rebuild - like a high draft pick - to get rid of the guy.

6) New Jersey is 29th in payroll. They have almost $13 million in cap space. They have three forwards (Zajac, Henrique, Mike Cammalleri) signed beyond 2016-17. They're not exactly desperate to clear cap and they're not going to set themselves back in a rebuild so they can do that.

7) I've seen a bunch of ridiculous trade suggestions such as Zajac and a quality draft pick, player or prospect for Joffrey Lupul and it makes me want to flip a table every time. No, trading the top center on the team and a draft pick/prospect/player to get an injury-prone winger with three years on his deal isn't good value. Shocking, I know.

Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 44-44 in a 4-0 shutout victory over the Ottawa 67's on Sunday.