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Well, there you go. I think you take those things on a case by case basis. But I think he can handle it. I don't think it will stunt his development.
Jerzey Devil
Jerzey-Duz-It
Good. Hall needs someone besides Zajac centering him. Palmieri too. Hopefully Hischier, McLeod, or Zacha can fill that role.
FooteBahl
Took a big shitz for Nemec
Hall, Zajac and Palms were damn good last year. I would put Nico between Zacha/Henrique and Johansson. Not at bad top 6
Ideally, Hischier and McLeod can grab two of the center spots this season as that appears to be the future for the team (with Zajac being the 3C eventually, in a role that he should excel in). But a pair of 18/19 year old rookies coming in and taking top 9 center roles may be a long-shot.
Cult of Hynes
Hynes is never wrong.
- Nov 9, 2010
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That line wasn't damn good, nor was it good enough where it couldn't be broken up. Also, I would not put Nico with Henrique, at all. He needs skilled players that can keep up with him. Zach and Johansson would be fine with him.
Jerzey Devil
Jerzey-Duz-It
I strongly disagree. They seemed good because that's the best we had but given a more offensive minded and talented center Hall and Palmieri could put up so many more points, imo. I think one of Hischier, McLeod, or Zacha should be that center. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
Cult of Hynes
Hynes is never wrong.
- Nov 9, 2010
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There are not better options at center on this team. IDC what Devils fans say. Two rookies would be better in top 9 roles than playing Henrique out of position at center yet again.
Jerzey Devil
Jerzey-Duz-It
Yeah definitely. I'm fine with Zajac in a 2c position for now while the young guys get acclimated to the NHL. Maybe they can rotate center position on the Hall line between Hischier and McLeod (if he makes the team) until one of them finds chemistry with on that line.
I will admit Zajac is not my favorite player but I do like the guy and appreciate what he brings to the team. I just don't think he should be our 1C especially now that we might have better options.
Eric Sachs
Registered User
- Jan 31, 2007
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Hall-Zajac had some of the best advanced stats among all duos in the league.
I agree that long-term, Zajac shuld be closer to 3C but going into next season, he should absolutely be our 1C with Hall. If things go perfect, you can have Nico take that over by the end of the year but I'm not throwing out a rookie on our first line against top pairs.
HenriquesJawLine
Registered User
- Mar 6, 2009
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Zajac in another year or two as the 3C in a shutdown role would probably be the best 3rd line center in the league. He's still only 32, is one of the elite defensive centers and could still put up 30-40 points playing on the 3rd line. The biggest fault of Zajac is he's being asked to produce in a top 6 role and he doesn't put up enough points, but he rest of his game is solid.
Devils have been so weak for so long at C that it's refreshing to see the options going forward. Hischier will obviously grab one of those spots soon enough and McLeod should eventually grab the other, but I wouldn't write off Zacha just yet as a center either. Seems Quennville will likely be moved to wing and Johannson is also an option for this year at center as well as Henrique, though each may be better at wing.
Fair point and agreed it might make sense to have Zajac take those big 1st line minutes and ease Hischier into being a center in the NHL.
Zajac is still going to be the #1 center until somebody else can play the roles he does. He's going to matchup against the oppositions best offensive players, he's going to take key faceoffs, kill penalties, etc. I do think they could probably cut some of his PP time though with Hischier and Zacha as options down the middle (assuming Zacha goes back to center anyway).
I'm also not sure Hischier and Hall would work as well as some think. They kind of both strike me as guys who like to have the puck and drive play. I think it might be better to let them each do that on their own line. Plus it gives them two lines for the opposition to focus on rather than just one.
I'm also not sure Hischier and Hall would work as well as some think. They kind of both strike me as guys who like to have the puck and drive play. I think it might be better to let them each do that on their own line. Plus it gives them two lines for the opposition to focus on rather than just one.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Zajac start out on the top line...however, it might not be a bad idea to play him with some younger guys like a Zacha, Quennville, Speers, etc. on a 2nd/3rd line to help cover up some of their defensive holes instead of pairing him with vets like Hall and Palmieri. Zajac would still get the most time among forwards on the PK as well as a decent amount of PP time (he was 3rd on the team last year, only behind Hall and Palmieri) and likely play a bit more in the 3rd period of a game they're leading. He had the highest ATOI last season among Devils forwards, and I could still see that being the case even if he's not centering the top line. It'll be interesting as the Devils finally have a decent amount of options at forward.
Zippy316
aka Zippo
I think the ideal route will be to have Zajac as a shutdown center. If two of Zacha, Hischier, or McLeod are capable of playing a regular shift at center in the top-six, the Devils can do a lot of mixing and matching with the top nine.
Hall - Hischier - Palmieri
Henrique - McLeod - Johansson
Zacha - Zajac - Speers
Hall - Zajac - Palmieri
Henrique - Hischier - Quenneville
Johansson - Zacha - Speers
Hall - Hischier - Quenneville
Henrique - Zajac - Speers
Johansson - Zacha - Palmieri
A lot of options as far as the offense goes.
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RememberTheName
Conductor of the Schmid Bandwagon
I mean, I get that Zajac isn't an ideal #1 center, but people shouldn't just scoff at the idea that he's a pretty important player for this team and that most likely he'll still lead all our centers in ice time because of the things other than scoring that he does. Let's just throw Zacha out there against a Crosby or Tavares or Backstrom and see how well that works out for us. Zajac will naturally get pushed down the lineup as he ages and kids like Zacha, Hischier, McLeod develop. I don't know why some people are in a rush to knock him down the lineup, especially given that he played pretty damn well with Hall.
But, this is the Hischier thread, not the Zajac thread, so I'll leave it at that.
But, this is the Hischier thread, not the Zajac thread, so I'll leave it at that.
RememberTheName
Conductor of the Schmid Bandwagon
I mean, I still think Zajac should be that minute munching shutdown center that goes against top lines, but in no way do I think he should be anywhere near Hall anymore. Not good enough offensively, no matter what the chart says. That should be Hischier spot at this point. We can't stack all of the vets on one line and leave the rookies out to fend for themselves
I'm not sure Hall and Hischier would work as well together as some would think, but I'm not opposed to trying him there. This staff does seem to be relatively protective of kids, so I'm not sure how much responsibility they want to give Hischier right out of the gate.
We'll just have to wait until training camp/preseason to see who ends up with who. Maybe he lights up with Hall right away and they just run with it. Or maybe he clicks with somebody we wouldn't even expect.
- Apr 27, 2005
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Hischier and Hall would be fun to watch, but I don't like the idea of putting a rookie C out there with poor defensive wingers, and I want Hischier to be able to play the role of play driver a bit.
I liked Zajac and Hall with Palmieri. When they got together they were effective. I'd keep them together and let Nico play as a sheltered 2C with Henrique/Zacha and maybe Johansson?
I liked Zajac and Hall with Palmieri. When they got together they were effective. I'd keep them together and let Nico play as a sheltered 2C with Henrique/Zacha and maybe Johansson?
He's a natural centre - tenacious on the puck, high hockey IQ, a talented playmaker, and plays best in the thick of the action. I expect him to adjust to the responsibilities of playing C in the NHL fairly quickly.
I think Zajac will probably remain the 1C this year, with Hischier slotting in as the 2C or 3C. Expect Hischier to work his way up to 1C reasonably soon, though (maybe by his 2nd season?).
I think Zajac will probably remain the 1C this year, with Hischier slotting in as the 2C or 3C. Expect Hischier to work his way up to 1C reasonably soon, though (maybe by his 2nd season?).
Cheddabombs
Status Quo
- Mar 13, 2012
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can someone translate please and thank you
not really saying much.
reporter: lots of things changed in your life since you were drafted, what was the craziest thing that happened since then?
hisch: yes that is true, lots of things to do in such a short time. craziest thing was a video message from roger federer.
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