Prospect Info: Pavel Zacha

[DerekDevils30]

@pumpkinmoose

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Also very happy to see Pavel doing this all at center. Him playing well is great, but it's sweeter to see him do it at the position we need him in.

If McLeod can be as defensively responsible Id like to see Zacha on RW be our Hossa - off-side sniper who is defensively strong and big bodied

Just my preference though

 

[Cheddabombs]

If McLeod can be as defensively responsible Id like to see Zacha on RW be our Hossa - off-side sniper who is defensively strong and big bodied

Just my preference though

Zacha's game is just suited for center though, in my opinion. He plays well down low in supporting our defensemen, and the past month we've seen how quick hands and passing can help the breakout. He's a center through and through. Having Mikey batting clean-up as the 3rd line center would be incredible. That's so much speed and skill down the middle, it would be tough to contain.

 

[glenwo2]

@pumpkinmoose

View attachment 98993

@pumpkinmoose hasn't posted anything since yesterday night so either he's busy or he's just lurking and hoping we forget about his little "bet".

 

[JimEIV]

I think Mcleod has a long way to go personally.

 

[Wingman77]

Love seeing Zacha shooting more. Getting closer but still much work to be done.

The only thing that worries me, and worried me earlier in the season when we saw some rumblings about his mental coach of sorts, is that we've seen what can happen when he gets into a rut mentally. There are a lot of guys who have the skill but have stuff impacting them mentally that hinder them from reaching their full capability.

 

[devilsblood]

I think Mcleod has a long way to go personally.

I agree, but if he plays with enough aggression, I could see him having Wood like success. Wood of coarse had a long ways to go as well.

Not sure if McLeod can play with Wood like aggression though.

 

[JimEIV]

The only thing that worries me, and worried me earlier in the season when we saw some rumblings about his mental coach of sorts, is that we've seen what can happen when he gets into a rut mentally. There are a lot of guys who have the skill but have stuff impacting them mentally that hinder them from reaching their full capability.

From a mental aspect he's very young and you'd hope that the organization can give him an environment where he can thrive and be himself. Sure do with we had someone like Scott Stevens in this organization. Jason Arnott had a lot of issues when he came to New Jersey and he got a support system that allowed him to thrive.

 

[DerekDevils30]

I think Mcleod has a long way to go personally.

Zacha's progression is huge for this team and Zajac is just fine as the 3C. Gives McLeod plenty of time to develop his game

 

[Wingman77]

From a mental aspect he's very young and you'd hope that the organization can give him an environment where he can thrive and be himself. Sure do with we had someone like Scott Stevens in this organization. Jason Arnott had a lot of issues when he came to New Jersey and he got a support system that allowed him to thrive.

For sure, cannot ignore that aspect.

"When time is on your side you use it". And that we have with his age.

 

[JimEIV]

I agree, but if he plays with enough aggression, I could see him having Wood like success. Wood of coarse had a long ways to go as well.

Not sure if McLeod can play with Wood like aggression though.

Wood is different in that he just didn't have the pedigree and expirience. Wood was raw as raw could be. Im not sure that is the case with Mcleod?

 

[JK3]

There's an avatar bet in here somewhere.

 

[devilsblood]

Wood is different in that he just didn't have the pedigree and expirience. Wood was raw as raw could be. Im not sure that is the case with Mcleod?

But I think there is room on the team for guys who are fast and skate hard. Especially since he is a righty.

Yes they are different players, and I'm pretty certain McLeod will not be as fast, nor play with the same reckless abandon, but I figure he will bring things to the table which Wood did not.

 

[JimEIV]

Zacha's progression is huge for this team and Zajac is just fine as the 3C. Gives McLeod plenty of time to develop his game

A strong legitimate top 6 center to go along with Hall, Hischier and Bratt is transformational. Zacha becoming a core piece turn this team into something very very good.

 

[JimEIV]

But I think there is room on the team for guys who are fast and skate hard. Especially since he is a righty.

Yes they are different players, and I'm pretty certain McLeod will not be as fast, nor play with the same reckless abandon, but I figure he will bring things to the table which Wood did not.

The way this league is going if you are fast you'll always have an opportunity. I'm just not sold on his overall skill set in terms of being a top 6 forward.

 

[devilsblood]

The way this league is going if you are fast you'll always have an opportunity. I'm just not sold on his overall skill set in terms of being a top 6 forward.

Ya, but very possible he'd be a 3rd line RW.

But who knows, also very possible he's in Bing.

 

[NJDevils17]

The way this league is going if you are fast you'll always have an opportunity. I'm just not sold on his overall skill set in terms of being a top 6 forward.

I’m sold on his tools, not on his toolbox per se. He has the shot, skating, size, speed, defensive awareness, offensive instincts, etc. He just can’t always put it together. I don’t think it’s an IQ issue like I used to, he knows the game pretty well I think. A lot of it is confidence now.

 

[JimEIV]

I’m sold on his tools, not on his toolbox per se. He has the shot, skating, size, speed, defensive awareness, offensive instincts, etc. He just can’t always put it together. I don’t think it’s an IQ issue like I used to, he knows the game pretty well I think. A lot of it is confidence now.

He doesn't have the shot his shot is probably his worse attribute

His IQ does seem on the low side...but on the IQ, it's not unusual to see fast guys need some time for their game to catch up to their speed. So maybe that is what I was seeing. I don't know?

 

[Call Me Al]

he only needs to be a 3c to be a valuable piece of this team with nico and zacha keeping this up

 

[Call Me Al]

but i wouldn't be surprised if he spends time in binghamton, it would probably be for the best

 

[njdevils19]

A lot less pressure on McLeod that's for sure. Imagine if we didn't have Nico and Zacha made zero progress from the start of the season. What we would need from Mikey compared to now? Huge difference.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I think one of the really good developments with Zacha recently besides shooting more is he really is starting to get more physical.

 

[RSeen]

I think it all has to do with his confidence being up. He is carrying the puck for longer too now instead of looking to get rid of it right away. Have to believe the coaching staff has helped him get to this point from earlier in the season where he seemed to lack confidence.

 

[Oneiro]

If Nico and Zacha stay consistent and McLeod even half-delivers on his skillset, that's pretty much the ideal center depth from a cap perspective.

 

[Blackjack]

A strong legitimate top 6 center to go along with Hall, Hischier and Bratt is transformational. Zacha becoming a core piece turn this team into something very very good.

Who are the other two wingers going to be? Palmieri and Wood?

Ideally, I think those two play on the third line and surround McLeod. Johansson is scrambled eggs at this point, don't know if he'll ever be a key piece for us.

Assuming Mueller develops into a steady defender and they get Santini back on track, 2nd line wingers are the last piece I see this team needing.