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C/LW Pavel Zacha - Sarnia Sting, OHL (2015, 6th, NJD)

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Are there any players in the past who experienced a similar pre draft year to zacha (all the talent and tools but couldnt produce more than a point per game) and ended up being really successful in the NHL?
 
hockeey said:
Are there any players in the past who experienced a similar pre draft year to zacha (all the talent and tools but couldnt produce more than a point per game) and ended up being really successful in the NHL?
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I haven't seen much Zacha... But the hype reminds me of Tuomo Ruutu's hype in 2001.

That said.. I'm not huge on player comparisons.
 
weems said:
One thing I really liked about Zacha's game today was his ability to make smart/efficient plays when the puck was wrung around the boards to him in the defensive zone. Many times was able to cup the puck nicely off the boards and make strong crisp's pass's to the breaking player.

His touch was excellant today.
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EXACTLY. Hes always been that way. Does all the little things so well and hes very reliable. That's what the scouts are seeing. I say he goes top 10 for sure. I'd be really surprised otherwise.
 
TheJuxtaposer said:
Looks very, very good today. Insane physical tools, he can just win any board battle with ease.
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That's the real question with Zacha for me, and i think a lot of others...

You see all those amazing tools, and the ability to use them to dominate like today vs Canada...and then you see the underwhelming production which doesn't really reconcile with what he should be able to do, and you see the times when he isn't dominating like that. The consistency in how all those tools get applied just doesn't seem to be there.


That said, with those kind of tools and skillset, and the high end ability that he shows flashes of...i can't see him falling very far in the draft.
 
biturbo19 said:
That's the real question with Zacha for me, and i think a lot of others...

You see all those amazing tools, and the ability to use them to dominate like today vs Canada...and then you see the underwhelming production which doesn't really reconcile with what he should be able to do, and you see the times when he isn't dominating like that. The consistency in how all those tools get applied just doesn't seem to be there.


That said, with those kind of tools and skillset, and the high end ability that he shows flashes of...i can't see him falling very far in the draft.
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To be fair to Zacha, when has he ever played with linemates anywhere near his skill level? He had to do it all today, and he's had to do it all this year in Sarnia.

I've never been a huge Zacha proponent, as viewings I had of him a year ago were less than impressive, but he's really changed my mind. I agree that his lack of production makes me wary, but I honestly think he's one of the few exceptions. I think he has legitimate excuses for why he didn't light the scoreboard on fire; first year in NA, bad team, injuries, suspensions, etc.
 
Top 12-13 looks beautiful this year. Not the player I think the Sharks should take, but a very good player in his own right.
 
TheJuxtaposer said:
To be fair to Zacha, when has he ever played with linemates anywhere near his skill level? He had to do it all today, and he's had to do it all this year in Sarnia.

I've never been a huge Zacha proponent, as viewings I had of him a year ago were less than impressive, but he's really changed my mind. I agree that his lack of production makes me wary, but I honestly think he's one of the few exceptions. I think he has legitimate excuses for why he didn't light the scoreboard on fire; first year in NA, bad team, injuries, suspensions, etc.
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Absolutely. There are some mitigating factors there. And while it makes me wary, i wouldn't hesitate to gamble on that upside very high in the draft. Easily within the top-15.

It's just a bit of a riddle, in that Zacha does seem like the sort of player who has the ability to excel even without the high-end linemates. He just...doesn't always.

And i think the suspension issue, while it may have held him back from getting into a real groove...is largely his own doing. Which has to weigh in there. If that's something that is liable to continue plaguing him.
 
biturbo19 said:
Absolutely. There are some mitigating factors there. And while it makes me wary, i wouldn't hesitate to gamble on that upside very high in the draft. Easily within the top-15.

It's just a bit of a riddle, in that Zacha does seem like the sort of player who has the ability to excel even without the high-end linemates. He just...doesn't always.

And i think the suspension issue, while it may have held him back from getting into a real groove...is largely his own doing. Which has to weigh in there. If that's something that is liable to continue plaguing him.
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I think once he plays against people closer to his size, suspensions won't be much of an issue. His hits just look bad cause he's so much heavier than everyone
 
hockeey said:
I think once he plays against people closer to his size, suspensions won't be much of an issue. His hits just look bad cause he's so much heavier than everyone
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Maybe. That can be the case with some.

The thing with Zacha though, is that i find when he's not really "in a groove" offensively, he can get caught running around pretty badly chasing the play, looking for those big hits, gets very zeroed in on them.

I have kind of a love/hate feeling toward that aspect of Zacha's game. Love that when he's not scoring, he's still contributing in other ways. Hate that sometimes he just doesn't seem to have any feel whatsoever for where that line is...and crosses it.

I don't hate it to the point that i wouldn't draft him top-15, it's just...an element of his game to consider. He's not always the smartest about his physical game. Whether he'll learn or not...that's the question.
 
I think something to keep in mind regarding the suspension troubles is the league he plays in. Ever since the Ben Fanelli incident, Branch has been willing to suspend a guy if his tie isn't done up properly. I'm not saying Zacha is without guilt, but I think maybe in another league, the penalties for his actions might be less severe.

Remember, Josh Ho-Sang received a 15 game suspension for a mild shove because the guy he pushed fell into the boards awkwardly and broke his leg. I doubt that play would get a suspension in the NHL, maybe two games because of the unfortunate result. Should note that the penalty was reduced to 6 games, but I think that incident highlights the issues in the OHL regarding discipline.
 
Zacha's major problem is his consistency. A period he can be the best player in the game, but the other completely invisible. All tools are here, but his consistency is the major problem.

That said, I think he has enough talent to be in top 10. But his a risky pick, the team will select him can select a great kid with tremendous upside, or an absolute bust.
 
JayHockey said:
Zacha's major problem is his consistency. A period he can be the best player in the game, but the other completely invisible. All tools are here, but his consistency is the major problem.

That said, I think he has enough talent to be in top 10. But his a risky pick, the team will select him can select a great kid with tremendous upside, or an absolute bust.
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I don't think he can bust if he has all the tools and zero weaknesses. Every aspect of his game is NHL ready with out a doubt. Hard to say he'll be a bust. Probably one of the or the most complete player in the draft imo.
 
czechcanadian said:
I don't think he can bust if he has all the tools and zero weaknesses. Every aspect of his game is NHL ready with out a doubt. Hard to say he'll be a bust. Probably one of the or the most complete player in the draft imo.
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I agree. He may well disappoint but I'd say he's 100% going to be a useful NHL player. He does everything a coach wants to see out of a player. The only question is if he can become a consistently productive offensive player.
 
I agree with the two posters above. I can't see him not being at least a 3rd line winger based only on his athletic ability, technical skills, and compete level. Now, whether he winds up being a #1 center is a bit more up in the air and will be determined by how those tools come together on a consistent basis. Certainly by what I've heard his character is far from problematic, and his compete level is apparent. While I've had some question marks earlier in the year, I'm starting to become a believer.
 
See I'd take him over the likes of Barzal, Konechny, or Merkley. Skilled guys who can produce from the perimeter may not translate well to the pros while Zacha's game definitely will.

I think you're looking at a Niederreiter if he plays wing, or a lesser version of Monahan at center.

Easily worth a top 12 pick.
 
Mikos87 said:
See I'd take him over the likes of Barzal, Konechny, or Merkley. Skilled guys who can produce from the perimeter may not translate well to the pros while Zacha's game definitely will.

I think you're looking at a Niederreiter if he plays wing, or a lesser version of Monahan at center.

Easily worth a top 12 pick.
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Not sure if I'd take him over Barzal. They're about even for me with a slight edge towards Barzal. I think Zacha probably has higher potential given his physical toolset but Barzal has better vision and passing. He's really good though and I don't really know who would be better in the NHL between Barzal and Zacha.
 
Paxon said:
I agree. He may well disappoint but I'd say he's 100% going to be a useful NHL player. He does everything a coach wants to see out of a player. The only question is if he can become a consistently productive offensive player.
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Yeah. With that size/speed/physicality combo, it's hard to see him not becoming at least some sort of NHL player. His ability to put it all together consistently as an offensive force is the real question...and a fair one to ask with a player likely to be selected in the top-10.
 
Awesome player. I saw him for the first time yesterday.

He has all the tools to become a VERY VERY good player!
 
hockeey said:
Are there any players in the past who experienced a similar pre draft year to zacha (all the talent and tools but couldnt produce more than a point per game) and ended up being really successful in the NHL?
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Getzlaf didn't do much more than ppg in his draft year. Turned out ok

Edit: He was actually just shy of ppg with 68 in 70. Thought it was the other way around.
 
I think his toolset is possibly the 3rd best in the draft behind McDavid and Eichel. Don't feel like anyone else in the draft (after the top 2) has his combination of size, skill, grit, and skating ability.

He's a guy I'd take a chance on at #7. Huge breakout potential next year once he gets more acclimated to the NA game/ice.
 
Considering the Flyers organizational weakness at both LW and pure goal-scorer, I wouldnt hate the idea of taking a risk on Zacha.
 
Roo Mad Bro said:
I think his toolset is possibly the 3rd best in the draft behind McDavid and Eichel. Don't feel like anyone else in the draft (after the top 2) has his combination of size, skill, grit, and skating ability.

He's a guy I'd take a chance on at #7. Huge breakout potential next year once he gets more acclimated to the NA game/ice.
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I have him on my short list of players at 7. Really it is a long list:). Just so many good players to choose from this year. What a draft!
 
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