Player Discussion Pavel Zacha

[UncleRico]

No idea why they moved him to wing. He's always been better at C and that's where he got most of his minutes all year.

He was being destroyed in the faceoff circle and had 0 goals.

How is it possibly you have no idea?

 

[ODAAT]

appreciate the effort by both he and Coyle, neither are bonafide #1 C, and not sure whose out there this summer the B`s can pursue that would be considered so.

I think Stevenson on the Knights is but not confident he`d be a #1 but this team needs a C who can win the faceoff when it counts most, Zacha and Coyle aren`t those guys


I`d pursue Stevenson in the summer then focus on players who`ll bring their balls to the rink nightly

 

[Over the volcano]

He was being spanked on the Faceoffs and coverage down low. They are trying to mitigate the damage he does by not showing up in the playoffs. Him on LW gives them a chance if he decides to score one day.

And Geekie is that much better? Maybe he is. It just seems funny to me to shift out your #1 or #2 center to plug the hole with a 3rd/4th line guy.

And FWIW Zacha's tied for 4th on the club in pts this post season.

 

[UncleRico]

And Geekie is that much better? Maybe he is. It just seems funny to me to shift out your #1 or #2 center to plug the hole with a 3rd/4th line guy.

And FWIW Zacha's tied for 4th on the club in pts this post season.

One of those points zacha can thank Geekie for. When Zacha whiffed, had the puck in his skates and Geekie came in and cleaned it up and scored. Zacha technically got an assist for the puck touching his skate. Quality point though.

Also don’t forget the perfect pass tape to tape Zacha had in the defensive zone, right to the florida player that scored the first goal the other night. Best pass he’s made all postseason.

 

[KovalchukFistPump]

Devils fan here who has the Bruins as a #2 (lived in New England and am a fan of other Boston sports teams).

Zacha pure quit on the Devils his last year. He always seemed like a guy who just doesn't really care enough to get through adversity. Has good size, skill, and speed though so he will get his points here and there. But his last year with the Devils was brutal, I know the team was a joke defensively and were effectively out of it by Thanksgiving but there was him floating and there were people who wanted to be part of the solution (Hischier, Bratt, Hughes).

Wasn't surprised to see the trade to Boston light a fire under him since the Bruins have a great culture that can motivate people and his girlfriend was from Boston. But I just doubt he's ever gonna be a playoff warrior. Decent guy to have as depth, but maybe would be worth getting some assets for him that can be flipped for a solid Center or two.

Btw Devils had to move him off center and then had to move him off of PK because the unit was league-worst.

 

[Patdud]

He f***ing sucks

 

[TheReal13Linseman]

His playoff performance has been atrocious. We simply can’t count on him at all to be a productive offensive contributor. And that’s what he’s paid to do.

 

[TD Charlie]

Puck on his stick, with a little room in front of him.

“Zacha tries again”

And Florida takes it away clean

He’s a mess. Never seen a player shrivel up and die so quickly

 

[Coach Parker]

Now is the game to redeem yourself Pavel. Brad coming back and you and Jake potting goals early is key here for the entire team confidence.

Friday night you can LITERALLY go from ZERO to HERO.

 

[Coach Parker]

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

I keep forgetting he's 6'3/6'4 (some sites have him listed either or) and over 200lb.

 

[Coach Parker]

Zero to HERO!

 

[CDJ]

Silky mittens!

 

[Coach Parker]

We.
Need.
Another.

 

[Ozzy Osbourne]

That one goal didn’t do it for me. He was basically a no show in the post season. Hates contact almost as much as Gryz. I’d try to find a taker for someone in need of a passenger.

 

[DarrenBanks56]

id keep him at wing.
coyle i would look to let go.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

That one goal didn’t do it for me. He was basically a no show in the post season. Hates contact almost as much as Gryz. I’d try to find a taker for someone in need of a passenger.

I thought he was very good the last 3 games.

He just broke the seal on scoring goals I wouldn't get rid of him for the sake of it. A deal for Crosby or Drai sure.

Overall he's a very good player. He could also get better one of those guys that has the tools.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

One of those points zacha can thank Geekie for. When Zacha whiffed, had the puck in his skates and Geekie came in and cleaned it up and scored. Zacha technically got an assist for the puck touching his skate. Quality point though.

Also don’t forget the perfect pass tape to tape Zacha had in the defensive zone, right to the florida player that scored the first goal the other night. Best pass he’s made all postseason.

He also made a quality 2 foot pass to Wotherspoon on Lohrei's goal...lol. Talk about stat padding.

 

[EverettMike]

Losing player.

 

[PB37]

I thought he was very good the last 3 games.

He just broke the seal on scoring goals I wouldn't get rid of him for the sake of it. A deal for Crosby or Drai sure.

Overall he's a very good player. He could also get better one of those guys that has the tools.

I agree, he's a good player. I don't mind if he's back on the wing but I'm also fine if he gets traded to improve the roster. I think these playoffs showed this team would benefit from a more skilled #1 center who can keep Pasta productive AND push the offensive needle WITH Pasta, instead of simply being a complimentary piece, which I think Zacha is.

 

[Number8]

IMO people should ease off Zacha. He and Coyle were playing above their lines all season and did great.

Our biggest hole going into the year was #1 & 2 Centers. Nobody in their right mind questioned that. Any one surprised that that hole wouldn’t be an issue in the playoffs needs to check their expectations.

Zacha was fine in my book. Not a great playoff but look around the team and the League. Shit $11M Marner? Now that’s a guy not showing up when counts. 2/3 line winger not carrying the load as #2 Center in playoff war time????? Expections not equaling reality in my book.

 

[CellyHard]

I wouldn't mind upgrading on Zacha but at the same time he's nearly a 60 pt player for us making 4.75 a year...not sure if you are going to find better value than that

When you have someone making as much as Pasta on the other wing, you sometimes just have to take the ups and downs with a complimentary piece like Zacha on the other side IMO

I think a move to the wing to take some defensive pressure off will definitely help

 

[KillerMillerTime]

That one goal didn’t do it for me. He was basically a no show in the post season. Hates contact almost as much as Gryz. I’d try to find a taker for someone in need of a passenger.

If 74 isn't resigned go hard after Lindholm AND Stevenson. Then trade Zacha and Ullmark after u sign those two.

I wouldn't mind upgrading on Zacha but at the same time he's nearly a 60 pt player for us making 4.75 a year...not sure if you are going to find better value than that

When you have someone making as much as Pasta on the other wing, you sometimes just have to take the ups and downs with a complimentary piece like Zacha on the other side IMO

I think a move to the wing to take some defensive pressure off will definitely help

He is now a proven PO under performer.

 

[LouJersey]

Losing player.

You can kind of see why the Devils weren't even going to qualify him. He's skilled, good for the 82 but like many players they just aren't made for the play-offs. No knock, takes a special breed, but he wilts.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

IMO people should ease off Zacha. He and Coyle were playing above their lines all season and did great.

Our biggest hole going into the year was #1 & 2 Centers. Nobody in their right mind questioned that. Any one surprised that that hole wouldn’t be an issue in the playoffs needs to check their expectations.

Zacha was fine in my book. Not a great playoff but look around the team and the League. Shit $11M Marner? Now that’s a guy not showing up when counts. 2/3 line winger not carrying the load as #2 Center in playoff war time????? Expections not equaling reality in my book.

I thought Zacha had a perfectly respectable regular season. Playoffs he couldn't cut it, and regardless of what we mere fans think the fact that matters most was that by the end Monty lost faith and demoted him not just from center but right out of the top 6. That was humbling.

If they keep Pavel around to play wing and as a guy who can fill in at center when needed I'd have no problem with that. His contract is good. Equally if they decide that want to try for an upgrade I wouldn't really mind. I just never want to see him as a 1/2C again. Did his best with the task, but ultimately when it mattered most it proved beyond him.