Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils 2019-20 player profile: Pavel Zacha

Zacha is what he is. And a fairly useful NHL player. I still think if he ever had consistency with some decent shooters his point totals would rise dramatically. But down lower in the lineup that will not be what he is asked to do.

Blessings to zacha, the kid who just turned 22 at the end of the season.

Who's better Mueller or Ty Smith?

I think Cordell kinda nailed the ‘19-‘20 outlook, and that’s not a bad thing. He’s useful like a Swiss Army knife. Decent comparison

My guess is if Pavs stays 2C to start the season he will benefit for better wingers. If he drops down to 3C with Hughes at 2C he will still have quality wingers but playing against some lesser competition. Either way it’s a good opportunity for him to break out a little this year offensively. No idea if he will.

I think Cordell kinda nailed the ‘19-‘20 outlook, and that’s not a bad thing. He’s useful like a Swiss Army knife. Decent comparison
- Hesh_

Sadly it’s like spending 5 or 6 hundred dollars on a high-end SOG knife, and winding up with $69 Swiss Army knife that you got on clearance at Walmart. Sure you can still use the little saw blade to cut through thin branches, but it wouldn’t be the best choice for a life-or-death knife fight. I understand the “life gives you lemons so make lemonade” mentality but overall Zacha is a disappointment in my eyes, and another first round draft failure feather in NJs draft cap.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils 2019-20 player profile: Pavel Zacha
- Todd.Cordell

A very useful piece on the roster

See if he can push 20 goals this season... and some highlight reel ones like he had last year.

I’ll take the over on Zacha getting 30pts.

What are we betting, Todd?

Who's better Mueller or Ty Smith?
- PapaSquat

Yikes...... Let's not compare them

A very useful piece on the roster
- shvingter88

A very useful bottom 6/pk, assuming he is under 2.5M AAV. Otherwise, a guy who has never been offensively talented at any level of his career, and was drafted WAY too early.

I mean if the Devils haven't had two first overall picks since the Zacha pick I might be bitter about the pick being a reach in hindsight. But now he can fill a role every team needs to be successful and we still have a number 1 and 2 center. I say it all worked out.

My guess is if Pavs stays 2C to start the season he will benefit for better wingers. If he drops down to 3C with Hughes at 2C he will still have quality wingers but playing against some lesser competition. Either way it’s a good opportunity for him to break out a little this year offensively. No idea if he will.
- Queenie_5_hole

I think the chances that anyone buy Hughes is our 2nd line center on opening night is very low. Unless he really needs to be sheltered from faceoffs I don't see anyone else in that spot.

A very useful bottom 6/pk, assuming he is under 2.5M AAV. Otherwise, a guy who has never been offensively talented at any level of his career, and was drafted WAY too early.
- bikeguy99

what's with everybody's compulsion to explain that he was drafted too highly?

what's with everybody's compulsion to explain that he was drafted too highly?
- Pomegrant

Probably has something to do with the 4 players drafted right after him are:
Ivan Provorov
Zach Werenski
Timo Meier
Mikko Ratanen

And later in the 1st round
Matthew Barzal
Thomas Chabot
Brock Boeser

It still hurts.

what's with everybody's compulsion to explain that he was drafted too highly?
- Pomegrant

Probably cause he was drafted to early...

No seriously, I’m with you. We are are all painfully aware. It’s done. We can move on.

I think the chances that anyone buy Hughes is our 2nd line center on opening night is very low. Unless he really needs to be sheltered from faceoffs I don't see anyone else in that spot.
- rmdevil313

I’m sure Hughes at 2C is the intended plan; but I’m curious if Hynes handles him like Nico and lets him get some experience down a bit first.

Probably cause he was drafted to early...

No seriously, I’m with you. We are are all painfully aware. It’s done. We can move on.
- Queenie_5_hole

It's like nobody here understands hindsight bias. No poop we would have Barzal instead of Zacha if we knew, but we don't so shut up about it already. It's been four years of female doging about this. Find something new to complain about.

You can just tell Cordell doesn't like Zacha by the shortness of the article. He is by far the hardest player to predict which is why I thought the article could've been a lot longer. If he can play like he did the last 30 games he NEEDS to be in the top 9. He had 20pts in his last 30 & 25pts the whole season. I really want to see him on the 3rd line with Coleman & Zajac. That's 3 of the best defensive forwards in the league as opposed to forcing in Simmonds, Wood, Bratt (Bratt absolutely needs to be in the top 6 but I've seen people & the NHL Network have him here), Boqvist, or anyone else. We know for a fact Zajac & Coleman can score together. It's well known how Coleman & Zacha are close friends. That should give him a lot of comfort & the confidence we see lacking. Hynes brags constantly about Zacha's shot & that may be a reason why he's best suited at the wing. A successful move to the wing would give us another valuable player that can move around during injuries. With McLeod Boqvist Rooney Seney all comfortable at C & Zacha at LW weed need just 1 to hold down 4th line minutes & most likely PK minutes. I'd say 3rd line Zacha will be 35+ pts & 4th line we probably see another 25. I'm ready to get him signed & root for him to have a breakout yr.

You can just tell Cordell doesn't like Zacha by the shortness of the article. He is by far the hardest player to predict which is why I thought the article could've been a lot longer. If he can play like he did the last 30 games he NEEDS to be in the top 9. He had 20pts in his last 30 & 25pts the whole season. I really want to see him on the 3rd line with Coleman & Zajac. That's 3 of the best defensive forwards in the league as opposed to forcing in Simmonds, Wood, Bratt (Bratt absolutely needs to be in the top 6 but I've seen people & the NHL Network have him here), Boqvist, or anyone else. We know for a fact Zajac & Coleman can score together. It's well known how Coleman & Zacha are close friends. That should give him a lot of comfort & the confidence we see lacking. Hynes brags constantly about Zacha's shot & that may be a reason why he's best suited at the wing. A successful move to the wing would give us another valuable player that can move around during injuries. With McLeod Boqvist Rooney Seney all comfortable at C & Zacha at LW weed need just 1 to hold down 4th line minutes & most likely PK minutes. I'd say 3rd line Zacha will be 35+ pts & 4th line we probably see another 25. I'm ready to get him signed & root for him to have a breakout yr.
- Gio's Devil's

Not disagreeing with your points on Zacha but all of Todd’s player evaluations have been roughly the same length he’s not hating on him

Hall-Nico-Palmieri
Gusev -Hughes - Bratt
Coleman - Zajac - Simmons
Wood - Zacha - ?? Last open spot.

Could Be Hayden , Anderson , Mcleod , Boquist , Bastian .
Simmons could be moved up to 2RW if Hughes and GUSEV get pushed around .

Probably has something to do with the 4 players drafted right after him are:
Ivan Provorov
Zach Werenski
Timo Meier
Mikko Ratanen

And later in the 1st round
Matthew Barzal
Thomas Chabot
Brock Boeser

It still hurts.
- lassetjus

Probably wouldn’t have Hischier or Hughes then

Hall-Nico-Palmieri
Gusev -Hughes - Bratt
Coleman - Zajac - Simmons
Wood - Zacha - ?? Last open spot.

Could Be Hayden , Anderson , Mcleod , Boquist , Bastian .
Simmons could be moved up to 2RW if Hughes and GUSEV get pushed around .
- thechezman

Palms switches with Bratt or Hall Switches with Goose. Need to Balance the size disparity out a bit or that 2nd line will be getting battered against teams like Boston, St Louis Etc.

Not disagreeing with your points on Zacha but all of Todd’s player evaluations have been roughly the same length he’s not hating on him
- dcetlin

thank you lol