Prospect Info: 6th Overall Pick: Pavel Zacha

[Missionhockey]

there is abaolutely nothing about this kid that suggests he needs time back in juniors... He stated he would love to play in the NHL, he is big fast and physical (top 3 skills needed to play in the NHL young)...

people who are willing to swnd him back for a year if need be, I agree. Think he should go to camp and do very well, then do great in his five game stint to stay around. But to those saying 'this kid cannot touch NHL ice for 2-3 years'... I say there is literally nothing pointing towards that from what we have seen.

i fully expect him to come in as an immediate impact player, and if not that is okay, 5-6 games and juniors for a year isnt that bad of an outcome.

I haven't looked up the statistics, but I'm pretty sure it's not often that a top 10 pick takes over two years to make it to the NHL. He might be able to make the Devils this year but I think that's a huge mistake. He might blow the doors off in camp, but can he keep up that intensity for eight months? Plus, he clearly has some room to develop his game and that should be done at the lower levels. I think everybody agrees that the guy has great raw talent but at the moment it's still very raw.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I haven't looked up the statistics, but I'm pretty sure it's not often that a top 10 pick takes over two years to make it to the NHL. He might be able to make the Devils this year but I think that's a huge mistake. He might blow the doors off in camp, but can he keep up that intensity for eight months? Plus, he clearly has some room to develop his game and that should be done at the lower levels. I think everybody agrees that the guy has great raw talent but at the moment it's still very raw.

I think you let the camps play out and see.

I also think there is something to be said for having complete control over development. Having our coaches teaching him what we need, at least something to be considered

 

[MichaelJ]

That's awesome of him to do. He seems really committed to being a Devil. Love it.

He has the makeup of a star. This was my pick for some time now and I'm ecstatic that we got him.

 

[Devilsgrl35]

I really think he could be the 3rd best forward in this draft. I just love his combination of size and speed. It's rare to find that.

 

[MichaelJ]

I really think he could be the 3rd best forward in this draft. I just love his combination of size and speed. It's rare to find that.

I never understood the debate here about size vs. speed/skill with regard to drafting Zacha when the dude has both.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I never understood the debate here about size vs. speed/skill with regard to drafting Zacha when the dude has both.

Was there ever a debate about his speed because I don't remember it.

 

[SpeakingOfTheDevils]

I think it's a given he'll at least play the 7 games or whatever at the beginning of the season. I don't think Hynes is going to pass up the opportunity for Zacha to center Elias, and rightfully so.

What happens from there is really hard to predict at this point. We'll have a better idea in September.

 

[MichaelJ]

Was there ever a debate about his speed because I don't remember it.

I just remember some being down on him as just a big guy. The lack of production was the top criticism but I thought some didn't think he had the other parts of his game.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice 1h1 hour ago

Pavel Zacha just said Patrik Elias was his idol growing up. At the combine, he said his idol was Jaromir Jagr. Either way, pretty good.

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice 1h1 hour ago

Shero: "I don't have one way or the other" on whether Zacha will play in NHL next season, but want to make sure he has chance in camp.

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice 1h1 hour ago

Hynes on Zacha: “The most important thing is to get him indoctrinated into being a Devil.â€

 

[NJDevs26]

He got a rousing standing ovation at the Q/A thing today, kind of glad too when I heard he flew up here then is going BACK to Florida to meet up with his family before returning home. It is nice to see Zacha embrace the organization this much so soon, almost makes me want to see him here sooner rather than later. Probably the best moment of the Q/A was when someone asked if he saw himself playing in the NHL this year, and he turned it around and said in effect 'ask them' (meaning Shero and Hynes)

 

[Emperoreddy]

He got a rousing standing ovation at the Q/A thing today, kind of glad too when I heard he flew up here then is going BACK to Florida to meet up with his family before returning home. It is nice to see Zacha embrace the organization this much so soon, almost makes me want to see him here sooner rather than later. Probably the best moment of the Q/A was when someone asked if he saw himself playing in the NHL this year, and he turned it around and said in effect 'ask them' (meaning Shero and Hynes)

TG posted that quote. I liked that answer honestly. You were there so you already know that Shero intends to at least have him at both camps, and Hynes wants him "indoctrinated" so basically he needs to drink the Lou-Aid, and some of the special sauce.

Great to hear the fans giving up a big ovation.

 

[mike30]

can't wait to see him play if its nj or juniors, so excited

 

[glenwo2]

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice 1h1 hour ago

Pavel Zacha just said Patrik Elias was his idol growing up. At the combine, he said his idol was Jaromir Jagr. Either way, pretty good.

Can't go wrong with either.

 

[MichaelJ]

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice 1h1 hour ago

Pavel Zacha just said Patrik Elias was his idol growing up. At the combine, he said his idol was Jaromir Jagr. Either way, pretty good.

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice 1h1 hour ago

Shero: "I don't have one way or the other" on whether Zacha will play in NHL next season, but want to make sure he has chance in camp.

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice 1h1 hour ago

Hynes on Zacha: “The most important thing is to get him indoctrinated into being a Devil.â€

Great stuff

 

[NJDevils17]

Love the stuff Shero is saying. Transparency is weird but really positive stuff. Extremely pleased with his thought process and his attitude. Haven't heard much from Hynes besides the stuff today and from his hiring but it really sounds like they are making a genuine effort to continue a similar approach regarding character that the Lou era emphasized so much. I also see Zacha already buying into the same thought process, which is extremely encouraging. He has to be so excited with having seen Elias win the cup and meet him when he was younger. Must be almost surreal. Either way I really like his attitude and think that work ethic/compete level won't be an issue with him like many had speculated.

 

[Hictor Vedman*]

At first I was so disappointed that you guys passed on Barzal, but seeing how far he dropped, it makes more and more sense that you got Zacha. He doesn't remind me of an Elias type player at all, he's more reminiscent of Holik, and I think he's going to be exactly what you need to start competing again.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

there is abaolutely nothing about this kid that suggests he needs time back in juniors... He stated he would love to play in the NHL, he is big fast and physical (top 3 skills needed to play in the NHL young)...

people who are willing to swnd him back for a year if need be, I agree. Think he should go to camp and do very well, then do great in his five game stint to stay around. But to those saying 'this kid cannot touch NHL ice for 2-3 years'... I say there is literally nothing pointing towards that from what we have seen.

i fully expect him to come in as an immediate impact player, and if not that is okay, 5-6 games and juniors for a year isnt that bad of an outcome.

just because he is big and fast doesnt mean he is ready for anything

 

[Missionhockey]

I'm nitpicking a bit here but I don't care for the extra fanfare that Zacha is getting. He hasn't earned anything yet and it goes against our old "nobody is above the team" concept.

 

[Devil X]

Zacha may be ready for the NHL the question is at what position?

I tend to think while they look at him as a center if he plays as an 18 y/o kid it will be as a winger.

In a year or two he will move over to center after we works on D coverage and faceoffs.

If they are fully expecting him to make an impact at center right from jump in the NHL then the odds are higher that he goes back the juniors and works on those things. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Devil X]

I'm nitpicking a bit here but I don't care for the extra fanfare that Zacha is getting. He hasn't earned anything yet and it goes against our old "nobody is above the team" concept.

Extra fanfare. Larrson and Matteau both jumped into the line-ups right away. Whether it was smart or not its something thats been happening with our 1st round picks so it makes sense that everyone wants him on the team because beside Larrson he is the next most talented player we have drafted in the first round in a long time.

Also a lot of people are saying that he needs to get to camp earn the ice time and prove he belongs. Anyone suggesting he should just be given a roster spot is silly.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I'm nitpicking a bit here but I don't care for the extra fanfare that Zacha is getting. He hasn't earned anything yet and it goes against our old "nobody is above the team" concept.

talk about an overreaction

 

[NJDevs26]

I'm nitpicking a bit here but I don't care for the extra fanfare that Zacha is getting. He hasn't earned anything yet and it goes against our old "nobody is above the team" concept.

The guy took a red-eye from Florida to Newark to say hi to season ticket holders and autograph a couple of jerseys before taking another red-eye back to Florida and you're worried about him being spoiled?

Just let him hang around Elias as much as humanly possible and him getting spoiled won't be a concern.

 

[Missionhockey]

talk about an overreaction

How can it be an over reaction if I'm acknowledging it's not that big of a deal?

Extra fanfare. Larrson and Matteau both jumped into the line-ups right away. Whether it was smart or not its something thats been happening with our 1st round picks so it makes sense that everyone wants him on the team because beside Larrson he is the next most talented player we have drafted in the first round in a long time.

Also a lot of people are saying that he needs to get to camp earn the ice time and prove he belongs. Anyone suggesting he should just be given a roster spot is silly.

I'm thinking more about the treatment of the players. It's nice that they brought Zacha down to the meet and greet, but if it were me, I would have brought all the draft picks down. IMO, part of the philosophy of putting the team first is treating everybody in the organization the same, from pick 6 to pick 157.

 

[Tretyak 20]

The Dumb and Dumber bit is my favorite Zacha fact.

"Hey Lou, want to hear the most annoying sound in the world?"

Maybe he can use that during contract negotiations!

Was there ever a debate about his speed because I don't remember it.

I remember a few posters trying to insinuate that Barzal was the skill player and Zacha was the size player, but I don't remember anyone specifically knocking his speed.

 

[SKNJD9]

I'm nitpicking a bit here but I don't care for the extra fanfare that Zacha is getting. He hasn't earned anything yet and it goes against our old "nobody is above the team" concept.

Think it's more about getting the fans involved/invested into the players on this team, especially since that was a season ticket holders thing.