Player Discussion Pavel Zacha

[Dennis Bonvie]

He’s also 48.1% at face offs in his career and 42.1% in career in the playoffs.

Might not be an injury just might be closer to what he really is

Two years in Boston he's at 52.7% in the regular season.

Geekie (40.2%) and Frederic (36%) are taking faceoffs now instead of Zacha. Coyle also only at 47% currently in these playoffs.

 

[UncleRico]

Two years in Boston he's at 52.7% in the regular season.

Geekie (40.2%) and Frederic (36%) are taking faceoffs now instead of Zacha. Coyle also only at 47% currently in these playoffs.

He might just be one of those guys that struggles in the playoffs.

He just set a playoff record for most minutes played by a forward without a goal since they started keeping track in 1978.

Now his faceoff percentage is down big from his regular season averages.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

He might just be one of those guys that struggles in the playoffs.

He just set a playoff record for most minutes played by a forward without a goal since they started keeping track in 1978.

Now his faceoff percentage is down big from his regular season averages.

As is everyone else's on the Bruins.

But he's the only one not taking them anymore.

Have some common sense.

 

[UncleRico]

As is everyone else's on the Bruins.

But he's the only one not taking them anymore.

Have some common sense.

What that he’s injured?

Why would you think he’s injured? He’s done this every playoff run he’s had.

Now he got moved to LW because he’s one of the only ones who has experience there and his 40% faceoff is pretty much in line with the rest.

 

[EverettMike]

He's a total ghost for entire games. I forget he's on the team half the time.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

What that he’s injured?

Why would you think he’s injured? He’s done this every playoff run he’s had.

Now he got moved to LW because he’s one of the only ones who has experience there and his 40% faceoff is pretty much in line with the rest.

Why would I think he was injured?

Again, he looks like he's playing hurt to me.

And he's not taking faceoffs. Just because he's moved to LW doesn't mean he can't take faceoffs. Geekie's taking them instead and he's simply no good at the it.

 

[UncleRico]

Why would I think he was injured?

Again, he looks like he's playing hurt to me.

And he's not taking faceoffs. Just because he's moved to LW doesn't mean he can't take faceoffs. Geekie's taking them instead and he's simply no good at the it.

Career regular season faceoff%

Geekie - 48.9%
Zacha- 48.1%

Career postseason faceoff%

Geekie 43.4%
Zacha- 42.1%

2024 postseason faceoff%

Geekie- 40.2%
Zacha-40.0%

About as even as your can get with a slight edge to geekie.

 

[LSCII]

He's a total ghost for entire games. I forget he's on the team half the time.

That's what tends to happen when you slot guys up above their actual skill level. You can get away with it during the regular season, but come playoffs, it gets exposed and exploited pretty easily by the good teams. Zacha is a complimentary type of player. If you have him in in your top 6 as a wing, you can absolutely get away with that. If you have him as a top 6 center, he turns into a ghost because he's over his head.

 

[Babajingo]

He's a total ghost for entire games. I forget he's on the team half the time.

Sounds like JDB..

 

[EverettMike]

Sounds like JDB..

I genuinely think it's unfair to compare playoff Zacha to playoff JDB. DeBrusk does vanish some games, but he does make an impact in others.

 

[McGarnagle]

Big assist on the Panthers goal right there

 

[Coach Parker]

Who?

 

[RiverbottomChuck]

It was funny at the beginning of the season, now it’s just hurts.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Sounds like JDB..

Lol, DeBrusk has 11 G in 24 G last 3 PO seasons. In what world is he being criticized?

 

[NDiesel]

This guy is tough to watch right now. Makes Krejci look like a high energy player

 

[BruinDust]

I just think he's out of gas. He's played more minutes this year than any year prior and a lot of those minutes are harder minutes as he's played a lot more C this year than he did say last year. He's only an average skater to begin with.

He can fill in on C in a pinch. Bruins would be better suited if they found someone else for center and shift Zacha back to wing most of the time.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

What’s he up to now 22 playoff games without a goal?

 

[Absurdity]

It's a good thing Monty got him off Pastrnak's line. He better be playing injured because if not, yikes.

 

[DarrenBanks56]

at least he got FLA off to the 1-0 lead last night

 

[UncleRico]

at least he got FLA off to the 1-0 lead last night

No doubt, excellent passing ability by Zacha putting it right on the panthers player stick in front of the net haha

 

[LSCII]

It's a good thing Monty got him off Pastrnak's line. He better be playing injured because if not, yikes.

He's not hurt, he's just being exposed for what he really is. A complimentary player that can add to a good line but cannot drive one, especially at center.

 

[chizzler]

He’s looking for Pasta too much. He has a good shot. His focus is always pasta and Florida knows that. Everyone knows that.

 

[MillerTime29Bombs]

He is a second line winger who is not ready for prime time.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

Gotta move him this offseason while we can. He is the right age and will have some value. I'm sure his agent will make it tough and list the obvious teams on his NTC list.

 

[JAD]

Much like Coyle, Zacha is a middle six forward who has been asked to play above his effectiveness level. They were able to get away with this during the regular season where you see a different team almost every game. But the playoffs are about matchups, man to man coverage, and opponents making adjustments ... true first line players will have the advantage at shutting down, limiting middle six players on the average.

Zacha, is very serviceable as a middle six forward at a reasonable cap hit. Any trade involving Zacha would have to improve the team, such part of a package for a true number 1 center, not just rearrange the deck chairs.