Prospect Info: 6th Overall Pick: Pavel Zacha

[ghoti]

The debate seems to centered on whether the players are being evaluated or not. You seem to think that this camp, while centered on instruction, can't also have a evaluation component?

I think there is evaluation happening.

I think players were evaluated on how they interacted with others, how they took instruction, how engaged they were with the activities, and the way they conducted themselves. It was a chance for the organization to get a sense of what these guys are like.

Also, if a player lacks in a basic skill or needs to work on something physically, I'm sure the coaching staff gave them feedback on what they need to do to prepare themselves for the NHL.

In that sense, sure there was evaluation going on.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

I think there is evaluation happening.

Sorry, I edited the post and clarified what I meant. I just mean the work ethic is of course part of the story in terms of evaluation, but just watching him on the ice contributes to answering the question of "is this guy kid ready for the league?" You cited interaction, how they took instruction, etc., which is great, but I don't see any conceivable way that being on the ice together doesn't assign some level of insight into where they stack up against each other. Which again, for someone at 18 being talked about as a possible roster player, should be at the top.

You're telling me Hynes didn't expect more than work ethic when watching this guy take the ice? He's a candidate for a job in the NHL at 18.

For all I know Zacha blew them away, all I'm saying is that that has to be the case if he makes the team.

 

[ghoti]

This is what Gulitti posted last week.

This will not be a camp about determining which players have a chance to make the team in the NHL training camp in September. In fact, Shero said what happens this week will “not at all” be used in evaluating players for the 2015-16 roster.

This camp will be more of an orientation for the players (28 of which were either drafted or signed as undrafted free agents by the Devils) to learn about the way Shero and Hynes plan to run the organization moving forward.

“They're going to see what it's like to be a Devil, what a practice might be like if they're going to play in New Jersey, but certainly a lot of things off the ice in terms of education about a lot of different things,” Shero said.

This will be an opportunity for players such as 2015 first-round pick Pavel Zacha and undrafted free agent signees Joseph Blandisi, Sergei Kalinin and Vojtech Mozik to get their feet wet in an NHL atmosphere so that they have have idea what to expect in September. For players who already have some NHL experience such as Boucher and Severson and others who attended previous development camps, it will be their first time working with the new coaching NHL staff, which includes Hynes and assistants Alain Nasreddine and Geoff Ward.

Both goalie coaches – Chris Terreri of the NHL staff and new development coach Scott Clemmensen – will also be there along with Albany head coach Rick Kowalsky and AHL assistant Sergei Brylin.

“This will be great for the coaches to get to know some of these kids and work with them on and off the ice and get to know them in a social setting,” Shero said. “So, it's a great experience. A lot of the college kids get invited to these things and then they go back to school. They go to one or two different camps or even three camps during the summer it seems and it's a great way for teams (to get a look at them), and it is part of free agency, I guess. Or you have the guys that come that didn't get drafted, but might get drafted next year.

“So, it's a real good avenue to look at players and certainly a great thing for the players to have the experience and see what it's like.”

And, though the camp won't be about competing for a spot on the NHL team, Shero says, “There will be competition.”

“I'm not talking about games in terms of flat out scrimmages,” he said. “I'm talking about competitions as teams on and off the ice in terms of just competitive things. Teams off the ice will compete against each other and we'll keep track of things all week. It will be educational, fun, competitive and I think it's going to be a fun week for a lot of these kids.”

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I am making it sound like an 18-year old that wants to play in a man's league needs to be head and shoulders above boys (prospects).

That's it. Pretty straightforward.

this is silliness

its one meaningless exhibition game where the players aren't even going 100%

you're going to judge it based on that? Come on now.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

This is what Gulitti posted last week.

I don't understand how you could interact with these players for a week and not come away with some impression of where they are in terms of development. Honestly, I don't.

Saying that there is no evaluations of these guys is one of the strangest things I've heard. Yeah, there's a big indoctrination and team building component to this camp, but Zacha is trying out for a hockey team right?

I've said that training camp is the real test, but I think it's insane that you wouldn't be able identify potential NHL players among the Brett Seneys of camp.

And these quotes from that article sound a lot like a bunch of euphemisms for evaluation, personally:

“So, it's a real good avenue to look at players and certainly a great thing for the players to have the experience and see what it's like.”

And, though the camp won't be about competing for a spot on the NHL team, Shero says, “There will be competition.”

“I'm not talking about games in terms of flat out scrimmages,” he said. “I'm talking about competitions as teams on and off the ice in terms of just competitive things. Teams off the ice will compete against each other and we'll keep track of things all week. It will be educational, fun, competitive and I think it's going to be a fun week for a lot of these kids.”

this is silliness

its one meaningless exhibition game where the players aren't even going 100%

you're going to judge it based on that? Come on now.

Of course not, Shero isn't sitting there saying "he didn't score an ovechtrick so I'm over it!" and throwing his player file in the trash, but how could you not identify big league potential through a week of drills against some guys that are objectively not ready?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

no one is saying there isnt ANY evaluation.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I don't understand how you could interact with these players for a week and not come away with some impression of where they are in terms of development. Honestly, I don't.

Saying that there is no evaluations of these guys is one of the strangest things I've heard. Yeah, there's a big indoctrination and team building component to this camp, but Zacha is trying out for a hockey team right?

I've said that training camp is the real test, but I think it's insane that you wouldn't be able identify potential NHL players among the Brett Seneys of camp.

Well it's impossible not to evaluate to some extent but it's possible Shero and Hynes already know who they want at training camp and who needs to stay in college or juniors before this week even started and Shero is being honest. This was primarily about teaching. Not making the team.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Well it's impossible not to evaluate to some extent but it's possible Shero and Hynes already know who they want at training camp and who needs to stay in college or juniors before this week even started and Shero is being honest. This was primarily about teaching. Not making the team.

I agree. What I'm saying is that Zacha would have proven nothing in the grand scheme of things by putting everyone else to shame (which again, for all I know he did) in this camp. At least as far as being in the NHL is concerned. But not standing out would be a pretty big red flag, all these "we're not evaluating anything, ever" protestations aside.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I agree. What I'm saying is that Zacha would have proven nothing in the grand scheme of things by putting everyone else to shame (which again, for all I know he did) in this camp. At least as far as being in the NHL is concerned. But not standing out would be a pretty big red flag, all these "we're not evaluating anything, ever" protestations aside.

I think I can agree with your second to an extent because I don't know how hard these guys are going in this particular enviorment compared to a real training camp or game.

Despite those unknowns I personally didn't get the impression there was any real red flags with him this week. Seems fine and ready for the next test IMO. That's just based on the two scrimmages fans saw. He might of shown even more during drills.

 

[Devil X]

There was so much more then just the 2 events we, as fans, saw.

It was also a lot about how he carried himself and his maturity level. How he got along with teammates and his roommates. He was paired with Severson for a reason.

As for the events we saw. He had a tougher time in the 3v3 but he wasnt horrible. He made some plays nice little passes and tried to create but seemed to get pulled off the ice each time he looked like he was about to go.

Saturday he looked MUCH better. Clearly the full ice played a factor. He was up in the rush most of the time. Backchecking hard, show great skills for protecting the puck, had a nice little pass to get the Severson goal. Showed good skill along the boards and good timing also he didnt just go charging into the middle of everything. He also did a good job of covering the point with the Dman went up the boards. For a 18 y/o kid who only played some 40 NA games last year he did a damn good job. He also had is point and could have had a couple more rather easily.

Camp in Sept. is where he needs to show off all his hockey skills. This week he showed off some im sure but they got an idea of what he is like as a person. Which is something they will have less time to do in Sept.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

I'm digging Zacha for one reason. Typically we always pick 'smart' hockey players. Quenville would be an example.

Rarely do we take the pure skill or hockey-ready guy.

While not 100% accurate, generally you hope to teach the game to a guy like Zacha. You can't give a guy physical tools.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I'm digging Zacha for one reason. Typically we always pick 'smart' hockey players. Quenville would be an example.

Rarely do we take the pure skill or hockey-ready guy.

While not 100% accurate, generally you hope to teach the game to a guy like Zacha. You can't give a guy physical tools.

I'm getting the impression from interviews that they might think his game is further along then some of the scouting reports indicated. All prospects have to learn things, but they might think he knows more then some scouts and some posters (myself included) give him credit for.

We will know more come training camp.

 

[Missionhockey]

He can really protect the puck

http://youtu.be/Nlgqb1-siNc

I'm pretty sure that puck gets stripped 99% of the time in an NHL game. I don't want to be too nitpicky but he probably should have gotten that puck deep, especially with two teammates already in the zone. He got lucky and found Severson but he won't be able to pull that kind of stuff against an NHL defense.

 

[Triumph]

I'm pretty sure that puck gets stripped 99% of the time in an NHL game. I don't want to be too nitpicky but he probably should have gotten that puck deep, especially with two teammates already in the zone. He got lucky and found Severson but he won't be able to pull that kind of stuff against an NHL defense.

He tries to throw the puck to the left wing's area but gets stick-checked and fans on the puck. The recovery and pass to Severson is what's impressive.

 

[Captain Lou]

There is no downside (for his development) to having him spend the year in Sarnia/AHL. Let him refine his game and play a full season. If we want to give him 9 games, fine, but he needs to go down after that. We are going to suck this year and there is no reason to take any chances in rushing him.

 

[Cheddabombs]

There is no downside (for his development) to having him spend the year in Sarnia/AHL. Let him refine his game and play a full season. If we want to give him 9 games, fine, but he needs to go down after that. We are going to suck this year and there is no reason to take any chances in rushing him.

There's no magic formula for developing prospects. If they feel, after training camp and a number of pre-season games, that his game is ready for the NHL then he'll be here. Just because sending him down is the safe option doesn't mean it's the best option. Having said that, personally I'd let him play in Sarnia for the season (or the AHL, if eligible). Then again I'm not in the dressing room, it's not my job to evaluate his play and determine if he's ready. I'll trust Shero and co. to determine that when it's time.

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

I'm sure Zacha would play on the 4th line next year and not look out of place. He is "ready" in that respect.

Would that be the best thing for his development? Probably not.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I'm sure Zacha would play on the 4th line next year and not look out of place. He is "ready" in that respect.

Would that be the best thing for his development? Probably not.

Obviously I don't mean that sticking him on the 4th line qualifies as him being ready. If they think he's NHL-ready he'd be playing in a top 6 role. Do I think this happens? Probably not. But let's not rule it out completely, or be flabbergasted if it does.

 

[Captain Lou]

There's no magic formula for developing prospects. If they feel, after training camp and a number of pre-season games, that his game is ready for the NHL then he'll be here. Just because sending him down is the safe option doesn't mean it's the best option. Having said that, personally I'd let him play in Sarnia for the season (or the AHL, if eligible). Then again I'm not in the dressing room, it's not my job to evaluate his play and determine if he's ready. I'll trust Shero and co. to determine that when it's time.

There is nothing to be gained by having him here, especially since he played a whopping 37 games last year. We all want to play with our shiny new toy right away, but his development is critical to our future success and I don't want him here this year. Let him play a full season in Sarnia/Albany and dominate. Then we will have a more polished, finished player for 2016-17, when we MIGHT be in the discussion for a playoff spot.

All we need to do is look at the litany of prospects from our own organization that were rushed and had their development stalled or ruined. You want to give him a little taste with those 9 games at the beginning of the season, fine. But that's it.

Plus, there's no need to start the clock on this guy any earlier than we need to.

 

[MoonDragn]

There is nothing to be gained by having him here, especially since he played a whopping 37 games last year. We all want to play with our shiny new toy right away, but his development is critical to our future success and I don't want him here this year. Let him play a full season in Sarnia/Albany and dominate. Then we will have a more polished, finished player for 2016-17, when we MIGHT be in the discussion for a playoff spot.

All we need to do is look at the litany of prospects from our own organization that were rushed and had their development stalled or ruined. You want to give him a little taste with those 9 games at the beginning of the season, fine. But that's it.

Plus, there's no need to start the clock on this guy any earlier than we need to.

I disagree. If Zacha can get top line minutes here, it would be better for his development as it seems like we hired good coaches that are great at developing young players.

Rushing a player only doesn't make sense if he sits on the bench while he is up here.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I disagree. If Zacha can get top line minutes here, it would be better for his development as it seems like we hired good coaches that are great at developing young players.

Rushing a player only doesn't make sense if he sits on the bench while he is up here.

The counter to that is if you give him a bunch of minutes and he gets eaten alive you could destroy his confidence that way.

 

[theoptimist]

Glad everyone is content with Zacha. Remember Barzal?

 

[Cheddabombs]

The counter to that is if you give him a bunch of minutes and he gets eaten alive you could destroy his confidence that way.

Which would mean he obviously is not ready, and would be sent down to Sarnia. That's the judgment call I trust management to make. I'm fine with him getting the 9 game tryout to see where he's at, and by that time they should have a good understanding of what to do with him.

If he does well in those 9 games, does it really make sense to send him down?

 

[MoonDragn]

The counter to that is if you give him a bunch of minutes and he gets eaten alive you could destroy his confidence that way.

He seems to be a very confident guy, plus he has Elias there to guide him this year. Elias will probably not be around next year.

 

[SpeakingOfTheDevils]

The counter to that is if you give him a bunch of minutes and he gets eaten alive you could destroy his confidence that way.

That's what the 9 games will determine.

I expect him to log a good amount of minutes in those games, and (IMO) Zacha will make the decision to send him back a tough one.

I'm just excited that our '15 top pick will get to touch NHL ice next year. Even if it's only for 9 games.