Devils 2020-21 team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part VIII
- Thread starter devilsfan35
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Until Ruff gets to work with Lovejoy we don't really know what he's capable of.
Cheddabombs
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- Mar 13, 2012
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I agree with these points, some of it to an extent. Zacha's biggest issue that I've seen is that he doesn't proactively do anything or create his his opportunities - he puts himself in very safe areas where he's not out of position per say but he's also not doing anything to help. The most frustrating thing that I see from his when he just stands in the middle of slot doing literally nothing while his teammates are working the puck around trying to create something. He's not moving trying to get free, he's not giving his teammates an option, he's not anticipating where the play might go. He's just there.
With that being said, could coaching help him out there? It's not going to be some instant solution but I think have someone else behind the bench can certainly help. Not only with the X's and O's of say when this is happening on the ice we want you to be here (because frankly it looked like he didn't know where to be half of the time) but also maybe the coaching staff also recognizes this and can help coach him through his thinking. He may not have a 180 shift in how he thinks the game but I think he can definitely still be influenced and make some changes.
Man I'd love to talk to him for one day.. show him all the times he's doing nothing in the offensive zone and be like what the f*** are you doing here!? Do something. Anything. Move your feet!
I'm not hanging my hat on the "everybody will be better without Hynes" narrative either. I'm sure some players will be, but Zacha's issues have pretty much always been his lack of assertiveness and consistency. He's just kind of there, and I'm not sure a different coach is going to change that.
Having Ruff at least takes the poor coaching out of the equation. We have a high level pro coach who at least will not drag the roster‘s performance down. It’s good to be able to say that at the start of a season.
As to Zacha, he may have some kind of “seen the light” breakthrough. But, more likely, he is pretty much what he’s going to be and the sample is large enough so that the parameters of what he will do are pretty much set.
Never watched him as a kid, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the limitations in determination, on ice aggression and physical use of his side weren’t always there for scouts who had eyes to see.
As to Zacha, he may have some kind of “seen the light” breakthrough. But, more likely, he is pretty much what he’s going to be and the sample is large enough so that the parameters of what he will do are pretty much set.
Never watched him as a kid, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the limitations in determination, on ice aggression and physical use of his side weren’t always there for scouts who had eyes to see.
NJDevs26
Once upon a time...
- Mar 21, 2007
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If we were going to see some marked improvement from Zacha post-Hynes wouldn't it have come in the second half last year? I do get Lindy is a better coach than Hynesriddine and gets more out of his forwards but Zacha's been around a while, if he doesn't take a big jump in the first half this year it ain't happening.
beekay414
Registered User
I'm not sure. I think him suffering several concussions in the intervening years have something to do with how he plays now. The scouting report on him was that he was physical and he had gotten suspended in the OHL for an illegal hit, maybe even twice.
Zippy316
aka Zippo
Haven’t heard anyone talk about Sharangovich but his recent play genuinely makes him a sleeper pick to make the roster in a bottom six role.
SteveCangialosi123
Registered User
It would be awesome if he turned into a Russian Blake Coleman
glenwo2
LINDY RUFF NEEDS VIAGRA!!
MauDevils
Registered User
Some of these posts have more effort put into them than Zacha has ever exerted in a game.
Hischier and Hughes
“I love to hockey”
- Jan 28, 2018
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All the hip kids in the Prospects Info thread were into Yegor before it was cool.
Forge
Blissfully Mediocre
Probably not, but it was funny and made me chuckle.
TrufleShufle
Registered User
- Aug 31, 2012
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I think people are over thinking the "See player X under new coach," mentality. If I'm correct people saying "I wanna see," or "can't wait to see," or are even "interested to see" whatever player under a new coach, whether it be Ruff or someone else, typically just mean it under the make it or break it mentality.
I don't think anyone is saying Zacha will for sure flourish under Ruff, but someone like Zacha obviously has the ability to be a good hockey player. For some reason he forgets that ability at home sometimes. If a new coach comes in and Zacha or other players don't change a bit, we know it's 100% on the player and it's time to move on or give up hope. But there is always a chance certain players with just a few issues to iron out get a lot better when a coach can get to the core of those issues. Zacha seems like a prime candidate for that to happen if it's going to.
Hell, someone like Subban who has been through a lot of changes over the past few years, from role to ability. You never know, a Subban with a new outlook and a veteran coach who knows what aging vets go through might be able to tap into something.
I'm interested to see what a number of our players bring under a veteran coach. I'm not saying anything for sure besides it will answer a lot of questions, whether it's about some of the guys on the team, or coaches who we have moved on from.
I don't think anyone is saying Zacha will for sure flourish under Ruff, but someone like Zacha obviously has the ability to be a good hockey player. For some reason he forgets that ability at home sometimes. If a new coach comes in and Zacha or other players don't change a bit, we know it's 100% on the player and it's time to move on or give up hope. But there is always a chance certain players with just a few issues to iron out get a lot better when a coach can get to the core of those issues. Zacha seems like a prime candidate for that to happen if it's going to.
Hell, someone like Subban who has been through a lot of changes over the past few years, from role to ability. You never know, a Subban with a new outlook and a veteran coach who knows what aging vets go through might be able to tap into something.
I'm interested to see what a number of our players bring under a veteran coach. I'm not saying anything for sure besides it will answer a lot of questions, whether it's about some of the guys on the team, or coaches who we have moved on from.
There's been a lot of talk about him in the CHL & other leagues thread - anyway, I don't think he will return this year. For him to come back presumably means him coming over, quarantining two weeks, then going through camp, all with an outside shot at making the team. In addition, the AHL is already planned to be out of phase with the NHL re-start. Even if he doesn't have to quarantine two weeks beforehand, that's still a big interruption to his season.
I think they can let him play out the year and then sign him to a 1 year deal with a European Assignment Clause next off-season, if he's amenable.
TrufleShufle
Registered User
- Aug 31, 2012
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Maybe he is a grinder style poker player. Folds (dumps in) every hand that isn't an almost guaranteed win...
R8Devs
1-5-6-12
I thought on all these loans the devils said that they'll be recalled when training camp starts
Darkauron
Registered User
R8Devs
1-5-6-12
That quote was in reference to the loaned players (Sharangovich, Merkley, Zetterlund, etc.).
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