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There is a long list of disappointments on the New Jersey Devils this season. At or near the top is Pavel Zacha.
The Devils were banking on the former 6th overall taking another step forward offensively
after showing some progress in that area a year ago. That hasn't happened. In fact, he's actually regressed.
After tallying 25 points in 69 games (.36 per) during the 2017-18 campaign, Zacha has mustered up just four in 24 games (.16) this season and he's yet to record a single assist.
Be it points, shots, or scoring chances, his rate numbers are also down across the board. This while shooting 13.64% at 5v5, which is well over double what he converted on a year ago.
The dip in production or shot rates wouldn't be as concerning if he was dealing with poor puck luck or simply more focused on passing and creating opportunities for others. Unfortunately, that's not the case.
His current on-ice shooting percentage of 7.38% is at least respectable and would easily be the highest of his career to date.
He is not creating many looks for teammates either. Through 11 tracked games. Zacha has picked up a shot assist on 11.01% of the on-ice attempts at 5v5. That ranks him 12th out of the 13 forwards currently rostered.
Shoot-first players like Miles Wood (15.57%) and Kyle Palmieri (14.63%) sit well above Zacha in that regard. And they, you know, also generate shots.
As a whole, Zacha has been a complete non-factor offensively. Among 17 forwards who have dressed in games I've tracked to date, Zacha ranks last contributing to just 29.36% of on-ice attempts – even behind offensive dynamos such as J.S. Dea (30.23%), Kevin Rooney (31.25%), Brian Boyle (32.31%) and Stefan Noesen (36.00%).
That's pathetic, especially given Zacha centers the 2nd line and his most frequent linemates are Marcus Johansson and Jesper Bratt. It's not like he's being put in a position to fail.
At 21, there is still room for growth. In saying that, it's becoming increasingly likely Zacha will never be the consistent offensive contributor the Devils drafted him to be. And that's a big problem.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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