General Discussion (Team/Player/Trade Rumors/Speculation/News), Part II

[billingtons ghost]

Zajac is 4th among Devils forwards in points and is far and away their best defensive forward. Definitely his fault.

yeah, he looked good flailing away three steps behind the guy who was going to score every goal last game.

 

[billingtons ghost]

I'm not saying Zajac has been great. This whole team besides Jagr and Brunner has completely sucked. But if you want to start pointing fingers, Zajac is one of the last people to point at. At least when he doesn't produce offensively, he's providing elite D. He's still contributing.

If you want a list of people who need to step the **** up, you should name Greene, Larsson, Volchenkov, Harrold, Gionta, Carter, Bernier, Elias, Clowe, Henrique, and Brodeur all before you mention Zajac.

This is ridiculous.

We should name our 4th line players. They are the problem. Riiiiiiight.

 

[Tundra]

It's funny because we had some pretty in depth discussions about Travis in the off-season. To me, he is very much a product of Parise. I don't believe anyone fears Travis Zajac in the offensive zone. Travis needs a stud on his wing that compliments his style. Parise was perfect.

I am now convinced that Travis will never again approach 60 points.

I would kill for Zajac to be Madden at this point. What we're looking at so far this season is Jay Pandolfo. A guy who puts up about 30 points and finishes as a Selke finalist.

And when I pointed that out in the off-season I got destroyed here. And it looks like Zajac's Pandolfo like play has carried over thus far.

Until our bonehead coach utilizes Travis appropriately he isn't going to approach 40 points.

He's not quick side to side or very creative. He's basically thrived as a shoot first center when Zach would go create havoc and retrieve pucks. Without a birddog like Zach, Travis is exposed for what he is.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

Zajac needs a left wing and the only real one on the roster is Clowe. Maybe Pete will put him in between Elias and Jagr if he ever gets his head out of his butt.

The only center in my lifetime as a Devils fan that has rendered Elias invisible offensively is Travis Zajac. That's a train wreck. It always has been. Elias and Trav just don't mesh. That's fine. Both great players in their own right. It just doesn't work.

Look I don't think Travis is a problem right now. I just think our coach needs to adjust the lines according to Travis's talents. Magnify his strengths. It's stupid to line him with Brunner. Brunner was INVISIBLE lined up with Travis.

Elias - Henrique - Jagr (I like this line because I think Henrique would thrive here. He thrived with Kovy and Parise).
Clowe - Loktionov - Brunner
Zubrus - Zajac - Ryder

Though if there was a way I could make Zajac more comfortable i would do that too

Ryder - Elias - Jagr
Henrique - Loktionov - Brunner
Clowe - Zajac - Zubrus

or even more comfortable

Elias - Henrique - Ryder
Clowe - Lokti - Brunner
Zubrus - Zajac - Jagr

 

[Tundra]

The only center in my lifetime as a Devils fan that has rendered Elias invisible offensively is Travis Zajac. That's a train wreck. It always has been. Elias and Trav just don't mesh. That's fine. Both great players in their own right. It just doesn't work.

Look I don't think Travis is a problem right now. I just think our coach needs to adjust the lines according to Travis's talents. Magnify his strengths. It's stupid to line him with Brunner. Brunner was INVISIBLE lined up with Travis.

Elias - Henrique - Jagr (I like this line because I think Henrique would thrive here. He thrived with Kovy and Parise).
Clowe - Loktionov - Brunner
Zubrus - Zajac - Ryder

Though if there was a way I could make Zajac more comfortable i would do that too

Ryder - Elias - Jagr
Henrique - Loktionov - Brunner
Clowe - Zajac - Zubrus

or even more comfortable

Elias - Henrique - Ryder
Clowe - Lokti - Brunner
Zubrus - Zajac - Jagr

You noticed that Zajac wasn't adept enough to play with Kovy either?

 

[billingtons ghost]

He's not quick side to side or very creative. He's basically thrived as a shoot first center when Zach would go create havoc and retrieve pucks. Without a birddog like Zach, Travis is exposed for what he is.

That said -

He is good defensively
He is our best faceoff man
He has pretty good straight ahead speed
He has a good shot (when he uses it)
He has good puck possession.

All that aside - he needs to step up and produce.

The 'ol "Our best players need to be our best players" is directed squarely at him.

 

[Tundra]

That said -

He is good defensively
He is our best faceoff man
He has pretty good straight ahead speed
He has a good shot (when he uses it)
He has good puck possession.

All that aside - he needs to step up and produce.

The 'ol "Our best players need to be our best players" is directed squarely at him.

Travis has a great shot. Too bad he can't get it off consistently.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

You noticed that Zajac wasn't adept enough to play with Kovy either?

I think it was obvious to anyone who watched. Kovy was always 10 steps ahead of Travis. Always.

Brunner looks 5 steps ahead of Travis. He looks to make these ridiculous passes and, where Lokti normally would be, Travis isn't. It's just obvious.

It doesn't mean that Travis isn't good. It just means he's good in a different way. You need to put him with Zubrus and Jagr. And if you DON'T want to break up Jagr and Elias put Zajac with Clowe and Zubrus. Or Henrique and Zubrus. Put him with guys that play his style of game.

 

[NJDevs26]

The fact that Zajac couldn't work well with Kovy offensively was the first real red flag imo. As Rhodes will point out, Kovy got dreck like Todd White and Rich Peverley to be passable in Atlanta.

 

[Tundra]

The fact that Zajac couldn't work well with Kovy offensively was the first real red flag imo. As Rhodes will point out, Kovy got dreck like Todd White and Rich Peverley to be passable in Atlanta.

That was the first indicator that he was limited offensively. He slowed Kovy down.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

The fact that Zajac couldn't work well with Kovy offensively was the first real red flag imo. As Rhodes will point out, Kovy got dreck like Todd White and Rich Peverley to be passable in Atlanta.

That was the first indicator that he was limited offensively. He slowed Kovy down.

Though again, to be fair, I think it's important to note that he has had a ton of success in certain line-ups.

Travis isn't a PP ace. He's not a playmaker. That's fine. He's a PK ace, a very fine possession player, proficient and organized offensively, incredibly smart. His positioning is top notch.

I just don't understand why they don't let him try a shift with Jagr/Zubrus - two guys who he may very well excel with. Brunner? Elias? No. Just no.

I think the word "limited" is a dirty word in this context. I just think that Travis is very good at something and the team refuses to surround him with personnel to allow him to be very good offensively.

 

[Tundra]

Though again, to be fair, I think it's important to note that he has had a ton of success in certain line-ups.

Travis isn't a PP ace. He's not a playmaker. That's fine. He's a PK ace, a very fine possession player, proficient and organized offensively, incredibly smart. His positioning is top notch.

I just don't understand why they don't let him try a shift with Jagr/Zubrus - two guys who he may very well excel with. Brunner? Elias? No. Just no.

I think the word "limited" is a dirty word in this context. I just think that Travis is very good at something and the team refuses to surround him with personnel to allow him to be very good offensively.

Travis should be placed in a trigger man role floating around the high slot. He should be compiling 6 to 7 shots per game at the very least. The only problem is that he's not exactly the best at releasing that potent shot.

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

Travis should be placed in a trigger man role. He should be compiling 6 to 7 shots per game at the very least. The only problem is that he's not exactly the best at releasing that potent shot.

A couple of examples of why I don't think Travis "getting his shot off" is the problem.





What's the common component? He has a guy who buys him time and takes advantage of his near PERFECT positioning and puts the puck on his stick.

Travis has NO problem getting his shot off. He has problems, however, playing with guys who don't play "by the book."

Creative guys. Kovy, Sykora, Brunner.

EDIT: Also notice the lines. Lango, Zajac, Parise and Zubrus, Zajac, Parise.

Put Zajac with Zubrus and Jagr for ****s sake.

 

[SeidoN]

Put Zajac with Zubrus and Jagr for ****s sake.

ZZ Pops V2.0

 

[SeidoN]

Elias - Henrique - Brunner (creative line)
Zubrus - Zajac - Jagr (by the book, playmaker line)
Clowe - Loktionov - Ryder (29 and 21 keep it deep, 17 looks for finish)
Tedenby/Olesz - Carter/JJ - Bernier (mixed bag 4th line)

thoughts?

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

ZZ Pops V2.0

They can even call Jagr "Pops" to make it work better. It's killed me since game 1. I feel like it's such an obvious line.

Yet we'll probably have to wait another 25 games before Travis is relevant offensively and Pete throws those 3 on the ice together.

Infuriating.

 

[njdevils1982]

EDIT: Also notice the lines. Lango, Zajac, Parise and Zubrus, Zajac, Parise.

Put Zajac with Zubrus and Jagr for ****s sake.

the puck would cycle and cycle and cycle and.......

 

[Rhodes 81]

The fact that Zajac couldn't work well with Kovy offensively was the first real red flag imo. As Rhodes will point out, Kovy got dreck like Todd White and Rich Peverley to be passable in Atlanta.

The peverley-kovy duo was ungodly. It was some of the most instant, perfect chemistry I've ever seen between two players. Both of them have never been the same offensively since getting split up

But yeah, kovy was able to get guys like Chris ****ing thorburn on hot streaks sometimes. The fact is zajac just doesn't think the game in that creative of a way, he's perfect on a puck hound line, but useless playing with the Elias's and brunners of the world

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

Elias - Henrique - Brunner (creative line)
Zubrus - Zajac - Jagr (by the book, playmaker line)
Clowe - Loktionov - Ryder (29 and 21 keep it deep, 17 looks for finish)
Tedenby/Olesz - Carter/JJ - Bernier (mixed bag 4th line)

thoughts?

I love it. Though I probably keep Brunner and Lokti together because I think they worked well together.

Henrique with Elias and Ryder would be epic. I think Henrique would realize he's NOT expected to score on that line and it would alleviate a ton of pressure.

I have faith in this team still. I just think the lines suck. Our guys are being put in position to fail. I hate that but I'm hoping it rectifies itself eventually.

Zubrus - Zajac - Jagr needs to happen. If that happens, I guarantee you Travis is back to producing offensively.

 

[Bleedred]

Elias - Henrique - Brunner (creative line)
Zubrus - Zajac - Jagr (by the book, playmaker line)
Clowe - Loktionov - Ryder (29 and 21 keep it deep, 17 looks for finish)
Tedenby/Olesz - Carter/JJ - Bernier (mixed bag 4th line)

thoughts?

Not bad. I'm willing to try it. I'm willing to try anything at this point.

 

[Bleedred]

The peverley-kovy duo was ungodly. It was some of the most instant, perfect chemistry I've ever seen between two players. Both of them have never been the same offensively since getting split up

But yeah, kovy was able to get guys like Chris ****ing thorburn on hot streaks sometimes. The fact is zajac just doesn't think the game in that creative of a way, he's perfect on a puck hound line, but useless playing with the Elias's and brunners of the world

Kovy was also able to make that scrub Nick Palmieri look like a superstar too!

 

[ThePSEGPowerPoster]

the puck would cycle and cycle and cycle and.......

Travis would shoot. Travis just can't be the primary playmaker on a line. Travis would get into position, Jagr would make a nice pass and Travis would shoot. I can show you countless examples of Travis burying great passes by guys who take advantage of Travis's perfect positioning.

Seriously, I think Travis is too smart and disciplined for his own good sometimes. He isn't going to change, so take advantage of it. We might see more of this:



Any time Trav saw an opening he shot it.

Now look at that goal. Who made it possible? Parise. But Travis was bold enough back then to rush up the right side. When he's not the primary puck carrier he plays a lot better. Jagr could be that guy for him. I think Jagr could be a poor man's Zach for Travis.

 

[Bleedred]

I really believe if Clowe is ready to come back after 2 games, Gionta will be sent down. I really don't see them waiving Tedenby after only two games. 0 points in 8 games would certainly be worth waiving him IMO. And I actually like the guy, but he hasn't done much this year. To be fair, we really haven't gotten anything out of our 4th line yet though.

 

[SeidoN]

I really don't see them waiving Tedenby after only two games.

*ahem*

 

[Bleedred]

*ahem*

I'm not advocating it by any means. I think you gotta get rid of Gio at this point. He just hasn't been good enough to keep his spot. 0 points in 8 games (Notice I'm predicting ZERO points from him these next two games) is not worth protecting from the waiver wire.