Prospect Info: 6th Overall Pick: Pavel Zacha

[New Jack City]

I do like this Zacha fellow. He also has a sharp hair do. Jersey girls will love him.

dudes a stud

 

[kiwidevil]

What is Zacha's biggest weakness? Is it hockey smarts?

 

[Emperoreddy]

What is Zacha's biggest weakness? Is it hockey smarts?

Not sure if its Hockey Smarts, but it seems he needs to learn more about the game, especially on smaller ice.

What routes to take, where he should be off the puck, etc. I don't get the sense he lacks hockey IQ, he just needs to learn to become an overall better player (it seems he hasn't had to much because his raw talents let him succeed without being excellent at the Xs and Os.).

Scouts seem to have knocked his overall game off the puck a bit.

 

[Bcap88]

What is Zacha's biggest weakness? Is it hockey smarts?

from what it sounds like is that he may be a little to aggressive

 

[MichaelJ]

From the comments made by the organization, I don't think they're completely committed to having Zacha in the NHL next year, but he's not going to have to blow the doors off in camp to make the team. I get the feeling he's more going to have to play himself out of a spot rather than dominate to prove he belongs. I'd go with the assumption he's going to be our 3C with Elias on his LW.

 

[Emperoreddy]

From the comments made by the organization, I don't think they're completely committed to having Zacha in the NHL next year, but he's not going to have to blow the doors off in camp to make the team. I get the feeling he's more going to have to play himself out of a spot rather than dominate to prove he belongs. I'd go with the assumption he's going to be our 3C with Elias on his LW.

That makes JJ 2C, and unless JJ really breaks out. Zacha should be able to push JJ down the depth chart fast if he is still here and his game starts to round out.

 

[njdevils1982]

from what it sounds like is that he may be a little to aggressive

is there such a thing?

do not castrate the bull.


let him smash.

 

[Emperoreddy]

is there such a thing?

do not castrate the bull.


let him smash.

There can be if the player is wholly undisciplined. His interviews, and the praise Shero gave about his interviews and maturity make me think he can, or at least can learn to play on the edge without going to far.

I expect him to be using his size to truck people.

 

[MichaelJ]

That makes JJ 2C, and unless JJ really breaks out. Zacha should be able to push JJ down the depth chart fast if he is still here and his game starts to round out.

Shero's been referring to Henrique as a center. I think the depth next year is

1C - Zajac
2C - Henrique
3C - Zacha
4C - Josefson

I can't see Zacha playing higher than 3C to start and no way he stays with the big club for 4th line duty, they'd just keep him in Sarnia as 4th line NHL duty would do nothing for his development.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Shero's been referring to Henrique as a center. I think the depth next year is

1C - Zajac
2C - Henrique
3C - Zacha
4C - Josefson

I can't see Zacha playing higher than 3C to start and no way he stays with the big club for 4th line duty, they'd just keep him in Sarnia as 4th line NHL duty would do nothing for his development.

He has also bee saying he wants JJ to get more of a shot. He won't be getting a shot down at 4C. Expect JJ to get 3 and 2C time next year.

Also if Zacha sticks Henrique could easily be back at wing and a guy like Coleman could get his first shot at 4C.

 

[MichaelJ]

He has also bee saying he wants JJ to get more of a shot. He won't be getting a shot down at 4C. Expect JJ to get 3 and 2C time next year.

Also if Zacha sticks Henrique could easily be back at wing and a guy like Coleman could get his first shot at 4C.

Sounds fine to me. I'd like to see if Josefson can center a middle6 line.

 

[NJD Kula]

All the stats? The only stat I'm referencing here is points per 60 minutes of ice time. This isn't a very novel or new idea.

If Josefson is 2nd worst in the NHL, #376 out of 377, in a even strength point production per minute over the last three years. That is a bad signal, whether you like to admit or not. He's below names like Bollig, Rinaldo, Malhotra and Boll.

Take a look at the bottom of that list. The names that are there (Malhotra, Rinaldo, Glass, Pyatt, Cleary, Bollig, Boll, Hendricks, Adams, Clutterbuck, Greening, Neil, Thornton, Zubrus, etc.) should be there. The names at the top (Crosby, Getzlaf, Benn, Perry, Hall, Seguin, Nash, Tarasenko, Toews, Palat) should be at the top. You wouldn't use ESP/60 to say someone with 2.0 is better than someone with 1.8, however you would use it to say that someone with 1.5 is better than someone with 0.5.

How does it make people feel that Stephen Gionta has produced more at even strength than Jacob Josefson?

Jacob didn't play significant minutes in 12-13 and 13-14 and had too few games played to warrant damnation. I think it's dubious to even lump those 3 seasons together.

His production went up last season. His rookie year his production was good too (2010-11 his p/60 was 1.62). But again too few games to really say much save for the fact there's more to Jacob left to see.

He's filled out his frame and is much stronger now. His injuries are hopefully behind him, so I'd venture this is the season we'll get to see Jacob shine.

 

[njdevils1982]

There can be if the player is wholly undisciplined. His interviews, and the praise Shero gave about his interviews and maturity make me think he can, or at least can learn to play on the edge without going to far.

I expect him to be using his size to truck people.

i was exaggerating.

would be nice to see some physical play out of players in general…….****, i rarely see players finish a check….


just ****ing peel back the forecheck instead….it is nice though when players like 'the russian' went the distance and painted the boards nicely…..even patty's done it ..but even they were far and few.

usually when they get pissed at something.

 

[MichaelJ]

Jacob didn't play significant minutes in 12-13 and 13-14 and had too few games played to warrant damnation. I think it's dubious to even lump those 3 seasons together.

His production went up last season. His rookie year his production was good too (2010-11 his p/60 was 1.62). But again too few games to really say much save for the fact there's more to Jacob left to see.

He's filled out his frame and is much stronger now. His injuries are hopefully behind him, so I'd venture this is the season we'll get to see Jacob shine.

I wouldn't disagree with this. He's put in a lot of time bulking up and getting stronger. Wasn't he going to center Parise and Kovy in 11-12 until he got hurt?

It might be too wishful thinking, but if JJ can become the 2C to Zacha's 1C it'll go a long way for the rebuild.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I wouldn't disagree with this. He's put in a lot of time bulking up and getting stronger. Wasn't he going to center Parise and Kovy in 11-12 until he got hurt?

It might be too wishful thinking, but if JJ can become the 2C to Zacha's 1C it'll go a long way for the rebuild.

Dosn't have to be JJ. JQ can easily be a 2C. Who knows with Blandasi and the russian too.

 

[Marshal Rochambeau]

It is underrated how Zacha played with Petr Nedved in 2013-14. 25 years apart. He was also the youngest player on the team by 5 years.

 

[nugg]

I like Zacha

He has a great personality, will be a fan favorite for sure.

 

[GeNeXt]

I haven't really seen this name thrown around until I looked in the mainboard prospect comparison thread, but Zacha actually does remind of Jamie Benn. Strong shot, nice release, powerful skater, big body, nasty and dreadful to play against.

 

[JimEIV]

So this Kalknin is supposed to have very good leadership qualities, suited for the North American game, willing to stand up for his temmates and can play RW...I'm hoping for a Bernier upgrade here. Maybe even a younger Zubrus as a ceiling.

Bookend End Zacha with Elias and Kalinin to form a line in preseason and see how it goes...

Elias-Zacha-Kalinin

It would be a big quick strong line probably really 2nd more than 3rd line but we can call it a 3rd.

You surround the kid with leadership and players who can cover mistakes and teach and that is a good scenario no matter how long it last...even if it just for preseason...I bet the kid rejuvenates Elias as much as Elias helps the kid.

 

[Tretyak 20]

I'd like to see a line of Elias - Zacha -Henrique for a few games.

 

[Missionhockey]

I don't think we should be seduced by early production though. Even if he lights the world on fire in the preseason, he will most likely tail off as the year goes on, like every other player. If he puts up a year similar to Johansen's first year in the NHL (21 points in 67 games) is that worth burning his first year on his ELC?

 

[JimEIV]

I don't think we should be seduced by early production though. Even if he lights the world on fire in the preseason, he will most likely tail off as the year goes on, like every other player. If he puts up a year similar to Johansen's first year in the NHL (21 points in 67 games) is that worth burning his first year on his ELC?

I think it's worth burning an ELC if he is ready...

The growing pains are going to happen regardless if they are this year or next year....it is going to be a process for him no matter what the start date is. If he is physically and mentally mature enough no reason for him not to be here. I personally rather burn a ELC to give him a year with Elias.... all depending on if he is ready of course.

 

[MichaelJ]

I don't think we should be seduced by early production though. Even if he lights the world on fire in the preseason, he will most likely tail off as the year goes on, like every other player. If he puts up a year similar to Johansen's first year in the NHL (21 points in 67 games) is that worth burning his first year on his ELC?

Yes. He's going to struggle in his first year whether it's this season or next. It's about his development.

 

[MichaelJ]

I haven't really seen this name thrown around until I looked in the mainboard prospect comparison thread, but Zacha actually does remind of Jamie Benn. Strong shot, nice release, powerful skater, big body, nasty and dreadful to play against.

I'm sure we'd all be thrilled if he plays like Benn.

 

[MadDevil]

I would just be worried that he looks ready after 9 games and then stumbles halfway through the season and we end up burning a year off his ELC or set his development back.