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

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canovin said:
Not consistent enough. Will fall to the Pitts pick.
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First year in N. America.

Played very well against Erie in the playoffs (against McDavid), and has played very well for the Czechs at the U-18.

I'd say he's raised his game in the last month.
 
dustrock said:
First year in N. America.

Played very well against Erie in the playoffs (against McDavid), and has played very well for the Czechs at the U-18.

I'd say he's raised his game in the last month.
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I completely agree. I'd take him over Rantanen because I'm not sure how Rantanens game will translate to the smaller ice surface. Zacha also is a bit quicker
 
There's a lot of people naming Zacha in the potential bust category. I think it's the opposite.

I think this player is going to explode next season, in miraculous fashion. His physical tools are scary, a forward that wins puck battles at will, has a powerful stride, and a pro-level rocket for a shot. Definitely a piece of work away from the puck, but he has the makings to be a bonafide top line star.
 
95 said:
There's a lot of people naming Zacha in the potential bust category. I think it's the opposite.

I think this player is going to explode next season, in miraculous fashion. His physical tools are scary, a forward that wins puck battles at will, has a powerful stride, and a pro-level rocket for a shot. Definitely a piece of work away from the puck, but he has the makings to be a bonafide top line star.
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So what's he missing? Consistency and discipline?
 
Johnny GODreau said:
So what's he missing? Consistency and discipline?
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Pretty much. When he wants to, he can be a dominating player, but he has to be motivated. He also needs to be more engaged defensively, IMO, because too often he's the last man back and is often disinterested away from the puck. However, he does a lot of little things very well. He moves the puck well in tight, gets it out of his end quickly and efficiently, knows when to bail, etc. Those aforementioned flaws can be improved with coaching, because he's a hard working kid.

I also wouldn't be too worried with his discipline. I think that aspect of his game is what makes him so tantalizing. His suspensions weren't a result of rage or him losing his cool (spears, slashes, etc.), he just made a some questionable big hits. Physical players will always play on the line, so I love that part of his game.

He's also missing that high-end point production that you see in players going top 10. It's hard to imagine he's only a PPG, because on some nights he looks like a 100pt forward. I really think it has a lot to do with the fact that this year was an adjustment period for him as a Czech prospect. He's looked great at the U-18s and his points have been progressively increasing with some good play in the post-season.
 
95 said:
There's a lot of people naming Zacha in the potential bust category. I think it's the opposite.

I think this player is going to explode next season, in miraculous fashion. His physical tools are scary, a forward that wins puck battles at will, has a powerful stride, and a pro-level rocket for a shot. Definitely a piece of work away from the puck, but he has the makings to be a bonafide top line star.
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Agreed. I Think he's one of those guys who skyrockets when people do re-drafts in 3-4 years.
 
OiledUp said:
Agreed. I Think he's one of those guys who skyrockets when people do re-drafts in 3-4 years.
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Completely agree, I'm one of the few that want Zacha at the Flyers pick at 7th, especially if those top 5 guys are gone. He's got the size, speed and skill to be a star. It's also nice to have a fellow Czech in Voracek to be a mentor.
 
I see you guys say he's a little unmotivated it seems, do you think that may mean he could be more of a playoff guy? He seems to excel in tournament style play.
 
iane said:
I don't think that's the case, he didn't even go to school just so he could play hockey full time.
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That's the thing that worries me about Zacha. His father basically put him in a position where he either becomes a professional hockey player (preferably an NHL All-star player so that they will force all the morons (sic) around Czech hockey eat the crow), or his life is a bust. He was raising him as a future hockey player and nothing more, as if nothing else really mattered. I'm sure there are other hockey parents like that but Zacha Sr. seems to have upgraded it on a much higher level. Only his conflicts with the hockey association/coaches/former clubs make him look like Carl Lindros on steroids. The kid has so much pressure on his shoulders, and it's entirely his father's fault. As for his education (or lack thereof), I feel somewhat embarassed that such a thing is even legal in the Czech Rebublic. He pulled him him out of school when, at 15?
 
Rexor said:
That's the thing that worries me about Zacha. His father basically put him in a position where he either becomes a professional hockey player (preferably an NHL All-star player so that they will force all the morons (sic) around Czech hockey eat the crow), or his life is a bust. He was raising him as a future hockey player and nothing more, as if nothing else really mattered. I'm sure there are other hockey parents like that but Zacha Sr. seems to have upgraded it on a much higher level. Only his conflicts with the hockey association/coaches/former clubs make him look like Carl Lindros on steroids. The kid has so much pressure on his shoulders, and it's entirely his father's fault. As for his education (or lack thereof), I feel somewhat embarassed that such a thing is even legal in the Czech Rebublic. He pulled him him out of school when, at 15?
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I personally don't like the way his father brought him up either, Zacha comes off as a smart, mature guy in his interviews, I'm sure it wasn't just his dad behind the decision. I have absolutely nothing to back this up but, I'm sure Zacha loves hockey and that he has a life off the ice
 
Zacha could end up being the best forward in this draft after Mcfranchise and Eichel.
 
Honestly there should be a law that says all players regardless of league should either have a high school education or equivalent if they want to play in the NHL.
 
Injuries...playing in a new country...suspensions....these are just a few things Zacha has had to battle through. Sure, those are normal for many prospects but I watched him a ton live this year and when he's at the top of his game - he's a star player. Unfortunately, every time Zacha started to gain steam with his game he'd have a setback (suspension, injury or interruption of WJCs). He'd return and have to start from square one. That's tough for any player let alone one playing in a new country in a very important country.

WIth that said, his skating (great top speed and an ability to stop and then accelerate to top speed again) is impressive. He's a competitor who hates to lose - a trait that too many top-end players don't always own. He's clearly big and can be downright nasty. Just two other A+ attributes. Zacha's shot is among one of the best in the draft (impressive velocity and deceptive release points) but he will need to work on its accuracy.

I did have some concerns about his commitment to his defensive responsibilities but those have been answered after watching him match up against McDavid in the opening round. In all the games I watched of McDavid this season, NOT ONE player handled him as well defensively as Zacha did.

He needs a lot of work in the faceoff dot as this area is poor and I sometimes wonder if he'd be a better winger moving forward.

People who are saying that he'll be a bust will be wrong - you will be wrong and I suggest taking a closer look at his game. It's quite the opposite because we haven't begun to see what this kid can do. If he's not a top 10 pick then that team who grabs him first will look very smart.

He's not a finished player but the tools are very special. I have no problems with his decisions either.
 
sharpeye97 said:
Completely agree, I'm one of the few that want Zacha at the Flyers pick at 7th, especially if those top 5 guys are gone. He's got the size, speed and skill to be a star. It's also nice to have a fellow Czech in Voracek to be a mentor.
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have to agree...if flyers go for a forward and hextall says ''there is a good chance'' they will.... i would love to get a big fast skilled player like zacha. i want a guy with the potential to be a dominating star player.

edit:also love the nasty...
 
sharpeye97 said:
Completely agree, I'm one of the few that want Zacha at the Flyers pick at 7th, especially if those top 5 guys are gone. He's got the size, speed and skill to be a star. It's also nice to have a fellow Czech in Voracek to be a mentor.
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95 said:
There's a lot of people naming Zacha in the potential bust category. I think it's the opposite.

I think this player is going to explode next season, in miraculous fashion. His physical tools are scary, a forward that wins puck battles at will, has a powerful stride, and a pro-level rocket for a shot. Definitely a piece of work away from the puck, but he has the makings to be a bonafide top line star.
Click to expand...

dean youngblood82 said:
Injuries...playing in a new country...suspensions....these are just a few things Zacha has had to battle through. Sure, those are normal for many prospects but I watched him a ton live this year and when he's at the top of his game - he's a star player. Unfortunately, every time Zacha started to gain steam with his game he'd have a setback (suspension, injury or interruption of WJCs). He'd return and have to start from square one. That's tough for any player let alone one playing in a new country in a very important country.

WIth that said, his skating (great top speed and an ability to stop and then accelerate to top speed again) is impressive. He's a competitor who hates to lose - a trait that too many top-end players don't always own. He's clearly big and can be downright nasty. Just two other A+ attributes. Zacha's shot is among one of the best in the draft (impressive velocity and deceptive release points) but he will need to work on its accuracy.

I did have some concerns about his commitment to his defensive responsibilities but those have been answered after watching him match up against McDavid in the opening round. In all the games I watched of McDavid this season, NOT ONE player handled him as well defensively as Zacha did.

He needs a lot of work in the faceoff dot as this area is poor and I sometimes wonder if he'd be a better winger moving forward.

People who are saying that he'll be a bust will be wrong - you will be wrong and I suggest taking a closer look at his game. It's quite the opposite because we haven't begun to see what this kid can do. If he's not a top 10 pick then that team who grabs him first will look very smart.

He's not a finished player but the tools are very special. I have no problems with his decisions either.
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These are all great write ups and I agree with all the points. Its nice to see people recognizing Zacha for how good he can really be with some more development and don't just look at his stats this season. I have seen way too many stat watchers bashing him this season that probably have never seen him play and simply are judging him on production Don't let the stats fool you, guy is gunna be a star. I see Philly taking him at #7, perfect fit in my opinion.
 
What I don't understand is why Crouse is ranked as high as in the top 5 in a lot of rankings and Zacha is ranked in the mid-late first in some. Both didn't play on great teams and didn't have great production. Both have great tools. But for me, Zacha has the higher upside and his tools are more impressive to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those Crouse doubters/haters or whatever you want to call them. I actually have him in the top 10 and I think he'll be a great player. I just don't understand why Crouse gets the benefit of the doubt by a lot of scouts but Zacha doesn't.
 
Canuck71 said:
These are all great write ups and I agree with all the points. Its nice to see people recognizing Zacha for how good he can really be with some more development and don't just look at his stats this season. I have seen way too many stat watchers bashing him this season that probably have never seen him play and simply are judging him on production Don't let the stats fool you, guy is gunna be a star. I see Philly taking him at #7, perfect fit in my opinion.
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In terms of skill wise, how big of a difference is there between him and Yakupov/Galchenyuk? I'm assuming you've seen them all play extensively?
 
Kulemon said:
What I don't understand is why Crouse is ranked as high as in the top 5 in a lot of rankings and Zacha is ranked in the mid-late first in some. Both didn't play on great teams and didn't have great production. Both have great tools. But for me, Zacha has the higher upside and his tools are more impressive to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those Crouse doubters/haters or whatever you want to call them. I actually have him in the top 10 and I think he'll be a great player. I just don't understand why Crouse gets the benefit of the doubt by a lot of scouts but Zacha doesn't.
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Zacha is a rookie in the CHL and makes a lot of mistakes like leaving the D zone too early before his team actually has possession of the puck and he doesn't get back on D as quickly as other guys do. Also very over aggressive at times and has been suspended twice. Crouse on the other hand doesn't have nearly as high a ceiling as Zacha offensively but plays a 200 foot game.It seems the scouts really like that. If Zacha can get a little more team game/200 foot game going his upside is probably 3rd highest in the draft behind McEichel.
 
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