Todd Cordell: On Severson's usage, Zacha's penalty killing, and more

What if Zacha became our Pandolfo?

Like Pandolfo, he was a big offensive score prior to NHL, but once in NHL that change. Pando was one of the best defensive forwards in the game and we won plenty with him in lineup.

If Zacha follows and we win, who cares that he wont score 20pts a yr.

What if Zacha became our Pandolfo?

Like Pandolfo, he was a big offensive score prior to NHL, but once in NHL that change. Pando was one of the best defensive forwards in the game and we won plenty with him in lineup.

If Zacha follows and we win, who cares that he wont score 20pts a yr.
- Leniwm1

Spending a top-10 pick just to get a PK specialist isn't something I'd sign for. So I'd care a bit.

I loved Zacha's game Saturday though. Loved his work on the PK, thought he made good decisions all night, and didn't seem to force anything. Extremely small sample size but I really liked what I saw.

Only thing I didn't like Saturday was Lovejoy. So incredibly slow, and on this team that stands out big time. Especially against the faster or more skilled teams, the Devils have to play Santini.

Spending a top-10 pick just to get a PK specialist isn't something I'd sign for. So I'd care a bit.
- jersey1414

Sunk cost, hindsight bias, whatever take your pick. What's done is done. This is what we have.

Spending a top-10 pick just to get a PK specialist isn't something I'd sign for. So I'd care a bit.

I loved Zacha's game Saturday though. Loved his work on the PK, thought he made good decisions all night, and didn't seem to force anything. Extremely small sample size but I really liked what I saw.

Only thing I didn't like Saturday was Lovejoy. So incredibly slow, and on this team that stands out big time. Especially against the faster or more skilled teams, the Devils have to play Santini.
- jersey1414

Not just PK, but potentially shutting down the McDavids of the league, That's huge.

Not just PK, but potentially shutting down the McDavids of the league, That's huge.
- Leniwm1

Well that's true. Although in today's game even the Selke finalists tally good offensive numbers. The days of a merely being a shutdown forward don't really exist.

Sunk cost, hindsight bias, whatever take your pick. What's done is done. This is what we have.
- Pomegrant

Wait...what? You do realize he's two years younger than Butcher, right? Tough to guarantee a halt in his progression, IMO.

Well that's true. Although in today's game even the Selke finalists tally good offensive numbers. The days of a merely being a shutdown forward don't really exist.
- jersey1414

Just think...

McLeod (who excelled playing defensive on Team Canada), Zacha, Coleman shutting down the team's No. 1 while Nico and Hall obliterate lines 2-4.

I am for this regardless of Zacha's point totals.

Wait...what? You do realize he's two years younger than Butcher, right? Tough to guarantee a halt in his progression, IMO.
- jersey1414

No, what I've been saying is that it doesn't matter where he was drafted or who was taken behind him that was better.

No, what I've been saying is that it doesn't matter where he was drafted or who was taken behind him that was better.
- Pomegrant

Ah, ok. My fault.

Not just PK, but potentially shutting down the McDavids of the league, That's huge.
- Leniwm1

Except none of the best can shut down McD, and Zacha is FAR from the best of the shut downs. He is a disappointment given where we took him, time to move on. On a positive note, I was pleasantly surprised by Mueller again, as he was 3rd on team TOI, first on hits, +1, 1 assist. No complaints. The kid appeared to improve his skating, and is looking like a potential top 4, shut down D player going forward. Quality bottom pairing at the very least.

Except none of the best can shut down McD, and Zacha is FAR from the best of the shut downs. He is a disappointment given where we took him, time to move on. On a positive note, I was pleasantly surprised by Mueller again, as he was 3rd on team TOI, first on hits, +1, 1 assist. No complaints. The kid appeared to improve his skating, and is looking like a potential top 4, shut down D player going forward. Quality bottom pairing at the very least.
- bikeguy99

The important thing is Pavel played a good game. He improved last year and could continue that this year. He’s just 21. He looks like a legit NHLer and it’s just a question of how good he gets. Nobody should be freaking out. Plenty of guys taken in the first round never amount to much. Others get out performed by people taken later. Steve Bernier was taken ahead of Zach Parise. Turner Stevenson was taken ahead of Martin Brodeur. Everyone just relax. We got 81 more games to see what Zacha can do. I think he’s going to be a legit 2C.

As for Mueller, it’s encouraging to see him looking good but he needs to be consistent. His preseason wasn’t very impressive. Maybe he will be like Larsson who took a few years and then became a pretty decent defender. Same thing with Severson. You'd expect him to take that step now.

#STARTSANTINI

Todd Cordell: On Severson's usage, Zacha's penalty killing, and more
- Todd.Cordell

My boy zacha

The important thing is Pavel played a good game. He improved last year and could continue that this year. He’s just 21. He looks like a legit NHLer and it’s just a question of how good he gets. Nobody should be freaking out. Plenty of guys taken in the first round never amount to much. Others get out performed by people taken later. Steve Bernier was taken ahead of Zach Parise. Turner Stevenson was taken ahead of Martin Brodeur. Everyone just relax. We got 81 more games to see what Zacha can do. I think he’s going to be a legit 2C.

As for Mueller, it’s encouraging to see him looking good but he needs to be consistent. His preseason wasn’t very impressive. Maybe he will be like Larsson who took a few years and then became a pretty decent defender. Same thing with Severson. You'd expect him to take that step now.

#STARTSANTINI
- Queenie_5_hole

I think Larsson is a great future comparison for Mueller. Big boys that can hit/shutdown, but score 3 goals a year. I would be happy with that. But Zacha.....You are right, if he has a good game, that's something to be happy about. And he is a legit NHL player, just nowhere near a top 6 forward, and from what he has shown in his OHL years, up to his 2 seasons in the NHL, I have yet to see offensive drive/creativity. Just a position player that generates little and finds outlets. 21 is young, but I don't think this Caterpillar will grow wings.