Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils player profile: Pavel Zacha

Hello Todd, Thanks for the article and thorough analysis. I do not want to be a Zacha apologist, but, I think the Devils as an organization have done a disservice to his development. I think this led to confidence issues, and I still feel (but have no evidence to back this up) he has for the most part had some pretty disappointing line mates. And if you are only giving him 4th line C time what can you expect? I hope they put him at 3C next year and put Boquist and Merkley on his wings. If he falls flat there then it is time to cut bait. In summary, Zajac can handle the 4C position, the team and him are not going anywhere next year, but we need to give Zacha a fair chance to demonstrate his value, or prove he does not belong.

We all have our opinions on the Devils drafting history, but this blurb did give me some perspective:
When play shut down, Montreal was set to miss the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five seasons and the team didn't have a single one of its first round draft picks over the last decade on the roster.
Yikes!

Pavel will turn 23 in April and it's hard to believe he is going to take a big step now. We've been waiting for that for a couple of years and he's been basically treading water. So we can assume he is what he is.

I don't think Zacha is some fringe guy like Hayden, Rooney or like Stephen Noesen was. To me he's a legit NHLer and has some desirable skills. He's just clearly a bottom 6 guy and a PK specialist. Likely a 3C when Zajac leaves unless one of the (many) other center prospects step up. I could see him being a high end 4C similar to the way Bobby Holik was.

Pavel will turn 23 in April and it's hard to believe he is going to take a big step now. We've been waiting for that for a couple of years and he's been basically treading water. So we can assume he is what he is.

I don't think Zacha is some fringe guy like Hayden, Rooney or like Stephen Noesen was. To me he's a legit NHLer and has some desirable skills. He's just clearly a bottom 6 guy and a PK specialist. Likely a 3C when Zajac leaves unless one of the (many) other center prospects step up. I could see him being a high end 4C similar to the way Bobby Holik was.
- Queenie_5_hole

I didn't like the pick when we made it, but I was optimistic with his frame and skill set he could turn into a Zubrus in his prime type player. 3C or bottom 6 winger seems like a fair assessment at this point. Not ideal but at least he's a legit NHL player, which is probably the best we have done since picking Larsson #4 or Zajac a decade earlier.

I didn't like the pick when we made it, but I was optimistic with his frame and skill set he could turn into a Zubrus in his prime type player. 3C or bottom 6 winger seems like a fair assessment at this point. Not ideal but at least he's a legit NHL player, which is probably the best we have done since picking Larsson #4 or Zajac a decade earlier.
- smellmyfinger

Funny you mention Larsson because I think they are both guys we rushed a little bit.

My recollection is Larsson figured it out when he was sent down to Albany. I think Zacha would have benefitted from some more AHL time as well. Not that it would have turned him into Mikko Rantanen but it could have helped with the games where Zacha seems to be pretty invisible. Maybe not.

The NHL announces the NHL scouting combine, NHL draft, and the NHL awards have all been postponed.

Per Corey Masisak, Reilly Walsh will be returning to Harvard for his senior year

Per Corey Masisak, Reilly Walsh will be returning to Harvard for his senior year
- vlongo4419

Disappointing, but not surprising. Might have to settle for what Carolina had to do with Fox rather than lose him for nothing.

The NHL announces the NHL scouting combine, NHL draft, and the NHL awards have all been postponed.
- vlongo4419

Darn

Darn
- shvingter88

A Harvard degree is worth its weight in gold, smart move by the kid. I see no reason for him to come out, after 1 more year in college he gets total control of where he lands and then after 2 years as a pro can get paid good money. Its not like the Devils are that attractive an opportunity right now.

A Harvard degree is worth its weight in gold, smart move by the kid. I see no reason for him to come out, after 1 more year in college he gets total control of where he lands and then after 2 years as a pro can get paid good money. Its not like the Devils are that attractive an opportunity right now.
- ShoresideDevil

I agree but that has nothing to do with what my darn was responding to