Prospect Info: CHL, NCAA & European Prospects Thread | Part VI

[NJDevs26]

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=1947867&page=21

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[Marshal Rochambeau]

Marner and Strome are irrelevant. Zacha is all that matters.

 

[Unknown Caller]

Marner and Strome are irrelevant. Zacha is all that matters.

Agreed, but it's more of a response to put things in perspective for those unhappy with his production.

 

[BomaLightDevils]

JQ With a goal and the primary assist on the gwg. A solid +2

This is from the sarnia thread.

Zacha was very noticeable in Ottawa and the best Sarnia player by far.

I miss the daily weekend update about our prospects. There was this guy who posted the stats for NCAA, OHL and so on.

 

[DevilsJunkie]

JQ With a goal and the primary assist on the gwg. A solid +2

This is from the sarnia thread.

Zacha was very noticeable in Ottawa and the best Sarnia player by far.

I miss the daily weekend update about our prospects. There was this guy who posted the stats for NCAA, OHL and so on.

All About the Jersey posts a prospects update every Tuesday. It's pretty good.

 

[BomaLightDevils]

All About the Jersey posts a prospects update every Tuesday. It's pretty good.

Thank you sir

I just think there was a guy that did it here once or twice a week but maybe he doesn't have the time maybe.

 

[thethinglonger]

Amazing how that when Blackwood got lit up by Niagara, he was still able to stop 37/42 shots...that's a lot of shots to give up.

It's going to be a good challenge for Zacha today as Sarnia plays against a very good defensive team in Kingston.

 

[MichaelJ]

Agreed, but it's more of a response to put things in perspective for those unhappy with his production.

If Zacha played on London the entire hockey press would be talking about what a steal he was for us.

 

[Devilsfan992]

JQ With a goal and the primary assist on the gwg. A solid +2

This is from the sarnia thread.

Zacha was very noticeable in Ottawa and the best Sarnia player by far.

I miss the daily weekend update about our prospects. There was this guy who posted the stats for NCAA, OHL and so on.

Don't want to advertise other message boards on here, but njdevs.com has daily updates of our prospects.

 

[thethinglonger]

Sarnia loses 4-1.

Hate to sound like an ultra-homer here, but Zacha is still the best player on the ice, despite being held off the scoresheet. It's hard to do much when Crouse is lined up against him, Crouse is just an elite defensive forward. Zacha does need to work on his face-offs though, as he had some trouble in the dot.

As time was running out, Sarnia was down 3-1 and had the empty-net when Zacha throws the puck across the zone to a Sarnia player with a wide-open net. The player had a poor shot, the goalie blocked it, and Kingston came down the ice to score the empty-net goal...kind of a summation of Zacha's season. He's been the only real driving offensive force. I'm not concerned about the points, because once Zacha gets some competent linemates the assists will start to rack up. It seems like this season he is really working on his set-ups for teammates, and he's still looking quite solid in that regard.


Rough stretch for Sarnia this weekend.

For SSM, Colton White with 1G 1A and Blake Speers with 1G

 

[JimEIV]

Sarnia loses 4-1.

Hate to sound like an ultra-homer here, but Zacha is still the best player on the ice, despite being held off the scoresheet. It's hard to do much when Crouse is lined up against him, Crouse is just an elite defensive forward. Zacha does need to work on his face-offs though, as he had some trouble in the dot.

As time was running out, Sarnia was down 3-1 and had the empty-net when Zacha throws the puck across the zone to a Sarnia player with a wide-open net. The player had a poor shot, the goalie blocked it, and Kingston came down the ice to score the empty-net goal...kind of a summation of Zacha's season. He's been the only real driving offensive force. I'm not concerned about the points, because once Zacha gets some competent linemates the assists will start to rack up. It seems like this season he is really working on his set-ups for teammates, and he's still looking quite solid in that regard.


Rough stretch for Sarnia this weekend.

For SSM, Colton White with 1G 1A and Blake Speers with 1G

Thanks for the Zacha stuff. Have enjoyed reading these updates.

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

Sarnia loses 4-1.

Hate to sound like an ultra-homer here, but Zacha is still the best player on the ice, despite being held off the scoresheet. It's hard to do much when Crouse is lined up against him, Crouse is just an elite defensive forward. Zacha does need to work on his face-offs though, as he had some trouble in the dot.

As time was running out, Sarnia was down 3-1 and had the empty-net when Zacha throws the puck across the zone to a Sarnia player with a wide-open net. The player had a poor shot, the goalie blocked it, and Kingston came down the ice to score the empty-net goal...kind of a summation of Zacha's season. He's been the only real driving offensive force. I'm not concerned about the points, because once Zacha gets some competent linemates the assists will start to rack up. It seems like this season he is really working on his set-ups for teammates, and he's still looking quite solid in that regard.


Rough stretch for Sarnia this weekend.

For SSM, Colton White with 1G 1A and Blake Speers with 1G

Thanks for the updates on Zacha from someone who watches the Sarnia games. It's good to get that kind of perspective.

 

[MichaelJ]

Every time there's a write up about Sarnia, there are never any red flags about Zacha. Everything said and written about him is either positive or stellar.

 

[Marshal Rochambeau]

Sarnia loses 4-1.

Hate to sound like an ultra-homer here, but Zacha is still the best player on the ice, despite being held off the scoresheet. It's hard to do much when Crouse is lined up against him, Crouse is just an elite defensive forward. Zacha does need to work on his face-offs though, as he had some trouble in the dot.

As time was running out, Sarnia was down 3-1 and had the empty-net when Zacha throws the puck across the zone to a Sarnia player with a wide-open net. The player had a poor shot, the goalie blocked it, and Kingston came down the ice to score the empty-net goal...kind of a summation of Zacha's season. He's been the only real driving offensive force. I'm not concerned about the points, because once Zacha gets some competent linemates the assists will start to rack up. It seems like this season he is really working on his set-ups for teammates, and he's still looking quite solid in that regard.


Rough stretch for Sarnia this weekend.

For SSM, Colton White with 1G 1A and Blake Speers with 1G

Thanks we appreciate the update man

 

[Billdo]

Seney with 10 points in 11 games.
Speers with 19 points in 24 games, but a minus 18.
White with 11 points in 24 games, but a minus 11. (Idk how SSM is this year so who knows what plus/minus means.)
Jacobs with 12 points in 24 games.
JQ with 24 points in 20 games.
Chatham with 18 points in 23 games.
Dudek with 1 point in 12 games. (Always hoped he'd turn into something special, still time obviously, but expected a bit more)
Baddock with 11 points in 28 games.
Rehill with 13 points in 22 games.
Santini with 6 points in 24 games to go with a +10.
Wood with 17 points in 13 games. (Looking every bit a steal for us)
Kerfoot with 12 points in 8 games. (Interesting player who could turn into something, maybe)
Gavrus has 10 points in 19 games over in the K.

 

[MichaelJ]

Wood's currently top 15 in NCAA scoring as well.

 

[Devilsfan992]

Seney with 10 points in 11 games.
Speers with 19 points in 24 games, but a minus 18.
White with 11 points in 24 games, but a mins 11. (Idk how SSM is this year so who knows what plus/minus means.)
Jacobs with 12 points in 24 games.
JQ with 24 points in 20 games.
Chatham with 18 points in 23 games.
Dudek with 1 point in 12 games. (Always hoped he'd turn into something special, still time obviously, but expected a bit more)
Baddock with 11 points in 28 games.
Rehill with 13 points in 22 games.
Santini with 6 points in 24 games to go with a +10.
Wood with 17 points in 13 games. (Looking every bit a steal for us)
Kerfoot with 12 points in 8 games. (Interesting player who could turn into something, maybe)
Gavrus has 10 points in 19 games over in the K.

Thanks for listing this out. Out of this group, Santini, Wood, Jacobs and JQ intrigue me the most. Also curious about Kerfoot.

I'm not sure what to think of the -18 from Speers. One would have to look at that number relative to his own team. It's not a good number regardless how effective plus/minus is.

 

[Billdo]

Thanks for listing this out. Out of this group, Santini, Wood, Jacobs and JQ intrigue me the most. Also curious about Kerfoot.

I'm not sure what to think of the -18 from Speers. One would have to look at that number relative to his own team. It's not a good number regardless how effective plus/minus is.

On SSM there are only two forwards who are plus so I'm assuming it's not a really good indicator of anything with regard to Speers.

Kerfoot has always intrigued me. He's got some skill but has to stay healthy. I do like his overall game though.

Wood really gets me excited though as he's seemingly just now becoming a big time player. Hopefully the Devils do in fact get him signed before he can become UFA.

 

[thethinglonger]

Thanks for the Zacha stuff. Have enjoyed reading these updates.

Thanks for the updates on Zacha from someone who watches the Sarnia games. It's good to get that kind of perspective.

Thanks we appreciate the update man

Thanks guys, I'm a huge Zacha fan, so I'm trying to not come across as really biased in these little updates.

He still has work to do and improvements to make if he wants to make the big show...I think we will really try and develop his as a center, to which he needs to work on his face-offs. His passing is stellar, and he does a decent job reading the ice in terms of where to pass. He really likes doing behind the back, blind passes. When the teammate is there and aware of the puck coming his direction, they work out really well, but the key word is ready.

He already plays in all situations (top 6 minutes, interchanging on the 1st line...the coach hasn't placed him specifically there because I think he's trying to keep some chemistry, first powerplay unit and first penalty kill unit). His skating reminds me a lot of Kovalchuk, just in the sense that he almost seems disinterested in his skating/coasting around, but he's rather surveying the ice and will get to where he needs to be when he needs to be there. He's got an awesome shot, but he's really trying to be a pass-first center. He's been like this since his days in the Czech Youth Leagues. If he is able to work himself out and get stronger, etc. I definitely see a prime Eric Staal or Ryan Getzlaf type player in him.

 

[Missionhockey]

I say, put Zacha on the wing. It puts him in the best position to be successful and use his talents.

 

[BomaLightDevils]

I say, put Zacha on the wing. It puts him in the best position to be successful and use his talents.

I've would go the same route as the Canadians and start him on the wing when he reaches the NHL and then after 2-3 years put him in the center position..

 

[thethinglonger]

I say, put Zacha on the wing. It puts him in the best position to be successful and use his talents.

He's being used at really all forward positions in Sarnia...mostly center, but sometimes on the powerplay, or even once on the penalty kill last game, they'll throw him on the wing. I'm hoping to see him develop as a center, but right now he could make the big team as a winger.

 

[MichaelJ]

Zacha is already scoring at a great clip playing the middle. He also has very good passing skills. He might not be one of those players who can elevate the skaters around him, but when paired with a talented winger I have no doubt you'll see great overall production from him.

 

[thethinglonger]

Zacha is already scoring at a great clip playing the middle. He also has very good passing skills. He might not be one of those players who can elevate the skaters around him, but when paired with a talented winger I have no doubt you'll see great overall production from him.

Completely agree. Sarnia itself has scored 79 goals this season...only 3 other playoff bound teams have scored less (Flint, Soo, Owen Sound) and 2 of them are within the same division. (even though 16 out of 20 OHL teams qualify for the playoffs so there are only 7 teams in the OHL that have scored less than Sarnia)

For wingers playing with Zacha, the most important thing is to be prepared for the puck at almost all times, because he'll get it to them...and that's why I'd like to see him further develop as a center, make the big leagues as a center, and get shifted to wing on the powerplay or something similar to what's going on for him in Sarnia.

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

I could care less whether Zacha ends up at center or wing, we just need him to pan out. And fortunately he seems to be elevating his game this year.