Todd Cordell: Pavel Zacha agrees to terms with KHL team

Zacha is a good player and all, but wasn't he projected to possibly be 4th line C? There's zero reason to overpay for someone who might not have a meaningful role on the team.

The Devils retain his rights too, so if he ever wants to come back he either has to get traded or sign with them.

Zacha actually had really solid offensive numbers January 28th and on last year

I am sure the Devils wanted him to build on that

I wanted to hear Todds opinion on the prospect challenge so far.

Just comes a point where you have to cut your losses. Hasn't panned out close to the way anyone wants, if this is his way out - so be it.

25pts/60 games is barely worth the 1.7mm he's been getting. Reminds me of Josefson 2.0. Not all picks are good ones and with the C depth we have - I don't see a home for him if there's big $$ attached.

Zacha actually had really solid offensive numbers January 28th and on last year

I am sure the Devils wanted him to build on that
- jimbro83

That's true, but it still doesn't change what his role would be relative to pay. Let's say in a dream world Chytil, Howden, and Lias all hit their potential. One of those guys would be a 4th liner (assuming we don't part with Zib first). You wouldn't pay whoever is the 4th line center 5 million a year (or whatever Zacha wants) because it would be terrible use of cap space.

I'm sure there would be plenty of teams that would want Zacha in a trade, see what you could get for that. I'm not overpaying my 4th line center just because he goes to Europe though.

The positive would be that he'd probably have a more prominent role with the KHL club - though their game is different there and his crash and bang might not work so well on open ice. (He'll be able to get to the front of the net more without punishment at least).

If after a year, the Devils decide to part ways with Zajac, he can come back as a 3C, or if not, the Devils can move him to a team and get a better return based on how Zacha's game goes in the KHL.

I don't blame him: I think he has a game greater than that of a 4C and special teams, so he's going to make a decision that may have financial implications in the future as well as the present. If he does well in the K, he's going to be worth more than the - 2? he would have been offered here. If I think I'm worth more than two million, I'm not going to let a team bury me in the bottom six either. He probably thinks he's a 2C, and he might well be in one or two years. Hughes basically took the spot he was gunning for, and will take the salary he's gunning for (and then some... a lot more sum)

That's true, but it still doesn't change what his role would be relative to pay. Let's say in a dream world Chytil, Howden, and Lias all hit their potential. One of those guys would be a 4th liner (assuming we don't part with Zib first). You wouldn't pay whoever is the 4th line center 5 million a year (or whatever Zacha wants) because it would be terrible use of cap space.

I'm sure there would be plenty of teams that would want Zacha in a trade, see what you could get for that. I'm not overpaying my 4th line center just because he goes to Europe though.
- 2sticks1puck

He's probably a touch undervalued right now as per he's not where his ceiling is, yet, and a lot of teams will have lost faith by now. His game still has a lot of Sean Couturier written on it. It might just be best for Ray to allow him to go develop a bit more in the K to increase the asset value of the player. It might also become a more popular thing for NHL RFAs to bolt to the K for a year or two because the AHL pays bad in comparison and the competition is probably a little higher.

He's probably a touch undervalued right now as per he's not where his ceiling is, yet, and a lot of teams will have lost faith by now. His game still has a lot of Sean Couturier written on it. It might just be best for Ray to allow him to go develop a bit more in the K to increase the asset value of the player. It might also become a more popular thing for NHL RFAs to bolt to the K for a year or two because the AHL pays bad in comparison and the competition is probably a little higher.
- archromat

No doubt. I think he can be an effective player in this league and it might behoove him to take a bit of a leave as we've seen some guys go over and come back.

If Zajac does leave after a year, I can stomach a little in general paying my 3C decently if he's good. If he wants to stay with the Devils, his future might be at wing. He's not unseating Nico or Hughes well ever.

Zajac is probably 4C and Zacha 3C. Regardless they're pretty interchangeable while they are both here. Zajac has this year and next season; and the he's a 36 year old UFA.

The issue is the organization has a lot of centers and doesn't want to overpay. Rooney can take his spot right now; and while not as good a player did decently. There are lots of guys in the minors too.

That said, I'd still try to get it done. Simmonds is on a one year and will either bounce back and leave for more money or stink and we won't resign him. Long term this team is better off with Zacha.

The KHL might actually be good for him for a year but I doubt things work out after that.

I can't imagine this is over more than a million. Just pay him. He's a key depth piece.

I can't imagine this is over more than a million. Just pay him. He's a key depth piece.
- willschulme

I get that... But it will also set a very dangerous precedence going forward with young players. This is where a GM's discipline comes in.

Todd Cordell: Pavel Zacha agrees to terms with KHL team
- Todd.Cordell

Can’t imagine what he’s asking for, maybe he wants more term and Ray isn’t offering it.

Mike Morreale
@mikemorrealeNHL

Ray Shero on Pavel Zacha: "He's a young guy whose game is evolving. I think we can get something done, hopefully, but I can't control what he does. If (the KHL) is the route he likes, it's going to be a long road back to the NHL."

Can’t imagine what he’s asking for, maybe he wants more term and Ray isn’t offering it.
- shvingter88

I said this a long time ago with his Defensive game, he should convert to D. More playing time. He doesnt have to worry about scoring. His frame is perfect.

I can't imagine this is over more than a million. Just pay him. He's a key depth piece.
- willschulme

I'm sort of on the fence. He was 'only' making about $1.75 so $1M is a significant increase. Plus the question of term. I think they get it done.

I don't think it sets any type of bad precedence one way or another because I think how you value Zacha is very subjective.

Not saying I don't Like Leniwm1's creative idea of having him play D, but I don't know any forwards who did this. Seems going from D to F is a lot easier.

Not saying I don't Like Leniwm1's creative idea of having him play D, but I don't know any forwards who did this. Seems going from D to F is a lot easier.

A long time ago, Mark Howe converted from forward to D, and was one of the best D-men in the 1980's. Of course, not saying Zacha is on the same level as Howe was... but just thought I'd point that out.

But how does this all affect Zacha?

What's Pavel's role on the team right now, the heir apparent to Zajac's 3C role? That's also a role that Michael McLeod can (or eventually) fulfill. For all we know, Zajac can still do the job after his contract is up in 2 years.

Pavel should sign a 2-year contract for $4 million and see if he can improve. At the end of his contract, both he and Zajac are free agents. From there the Devils can decide to trade Zacha or McLeod or resign Zajac.

A long time ago, Mark Howe converted from forward to D, and was one of the best D-men in the 1980's. Of course, not saying Zacha is on the same level as Howe was... but just thought I'd point that out.
- copelal

That's pretty cool. Having Gordie Howe DNA probably helps but one hell of a player.

I knew of Mark Howe and probably saw him play when I was a kid didn't know he played forward previously. Thanks!

That's pretty cool. Having Gordie Howe DNA probably helps but one hell of a player.

I knew of Mark Howe and probably saw him play when I was a kid didn't know he played forward previously. Thanks!
- Queenie_5_hole

So how do we get in contact with Shero to make this happen before Zacha bolts? We can change the franchise!

OMG Not Zacha! Hes our whole team!
All kidding aside, Not that big of a deal. Call his bluff Ray! Threatening to go all Kovy on us!!!

So how do we get in contact with Shero to make this happen before Zacha bolts? We can change the franchise!
- Leniwm1

Just call 1-800-pen-guin and Shero will answer immediately.

OMG Not Zacha! Hes our whole team!
All kidding aside, Not that big of a deal. Call his bluff Ray! Threatening to go all Kovy on us!!!
- Devils65

There are so many guys in the organization who can play 4C it's crazy. I mean probably not as good as Zacha defensively but they can all not score at the same rate.

I'd like to keep him but no way Ray Ray gets pushed around on this....

2.4M MAX for 2 years is my guess.

There are so many guys in the organization who can play 4C it's crazy. I mean probably not as good as Zacha defensively but they can all not score at the same rate.

I'd like to keep him but no way Ray Ray gets pushed around on this....

2.4M MAX for 2 years is my guess.
- Queenie_5_hole

Shero is pretty firm here

https://www.apnews.com/65...1ecb542459e6fcd6890b7a6d5