Devils 2018-19 Team Discussion (news and notes) Part III

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

If you watched the first 2 games of the season and were not impressed with Zacha's play, you are being dishonest IMO

I agree the past few games he is back to what he was doing last year, but still.

 

[JimEIV]

Ehh I haven't been impressed with him at all, but don't feel like starting a war.

What I was really getting at was maybe the staff put together a shitty line? Maybe we should wait to see Bratt on the line as was orginally anticipated?

Maybe it is just 5 games and there needs to be a adjustment period for lines to gell?

 

[NjDevs4994]

Last night was the defense I was expecting to see this season.

 

[HBK27]

Isn't there some middle ground with Zacha? Like... can't you be disappointed in his progress to date, but still believe he'll turn the corner later in his career like many power forwards have done in the past?

Maybe it's fence sitting, but it's the path I choose to take.

I think that's where a majority of the fans are.

I was optimistic he was going to put it together offensively last season after a strong preseason and it never materialized. He had a good first game or two (despite no points) and if he kept up that style of play the points would've come. The past 3 games have been very disappointing.

The hope is that he can follow a similar path as Sean Couturier who was picked in a similar spot (8th vs. 6th) and was very good defensively his first few seasons in the league, but never quite put up the offensive numbers you were hoping for before breaking out in a big way last season. Still, by the time Couturier was entering his +4 year he at least had a pair of 13-goal seasons and had hit 39 points whereas Zacha so far has maxed out at 8/25. Was hoping he'd take a big step forward this year and at least double his season high goal total (Couturier had 15 in his draft +4 season), but though very early I would have to take the under on 16 goals for Zacha at this point.

Pavel is also an RFA at the end of the season so this is a huge year for his financially. Maybe that's weighing on him a little bit but that would be a piss poor excuse for his play the past 3 games.

I'm certainly not giving up on him, but man...Pavel netting 20-25 goals for this team this season would be huge and there's no reason to think he's not capable given the flashes we've seen of him in the past. It's more a matter of playing consistently at a high level and burying more of his chances.

 

[Maine Fan]

Zajac and Lovejoy out tomorrow for game against Philly. Santini and Johnny Q could play.

Cory sent to Binghamton to condition.

We will miss Zajac IMO. The team will really have to step up tomorrow.

Go Devils

 

[JimEIV]

Last night looked like an unprepared team to me.

 

[JimEIV]

Zajac and Lovejoy out tomorrow for game against Philly. Santini and Johnny Q could play.

Cory sent to Binghamton to condition.

We will miss Zajac IMO. The team will really have to step up tomorrow.

Go Devils

Zajac is our best defenseman.

 

[NJDevs26]

Ehh I haven't been impressed with him at all, but don't feel like starting a war.

I'm suspect with Johansson too but maybe like someone else has said the two of them need a finisher on their line, since neither of them are obviously going to do it.

 

[TrufleShufle]

What I was really getting at was maybe the staff put together a ****ty line? Maybe we should wait to see Bratt on the line as was orginally anticipated?

Maybe it is just 5 games and there needs to be a adjustment period for lines to gell?

I understand, but just branching off this, I would go as far to say that Zacha has looked better for the most part.......

Bring it on.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

If you watched the first 2 games of the season and were not impressed with Zacha's play, you are being dishonest IMO

I agree the past few games he is back to what he was doing last year, but still.

Looking good with nothing to show for it is becoming his M.O. It’s getting old quick.

 

[JimEIV]

Looking good with nothing to show for it is becoming his M.O. It’s getting old quick.

I don't disagree at all. But I think 5 games into a new season is a little premature to be having this conversation.

 

[TrufleShufle]

I'm suspect with Johansson too but maybe like someone else has said the two of them need a finisher on their line, since neither of them are obviously going to do it.

Yea, I think the way I look at him now was my own fault.

When we got him, I thought he was going to come in and just go on a tear. Then he got hurt and was about to come back I thought the same thing again but was again disappointed. Then when he came in for the 3rd time I tempered my expectations big time. I realized I WAY overestimated him. Not sure why, just new toy syndrome maybe. But even in dialing back what to expect from him, I still haven't really been impressed.

 

[TrufleShufle]

I don't disagree at all. But I think 5 games into a new season is a little premature to be having this conversation.

Yea, he hasn't gone full blown Yayo/Teddy yet. I see how it could happen. But when he looks good, he just looks too good to not produce.

 

[Devils Dominion]

PZ could use more ice time

 

[mtnet]

He's unlucky as hell too

Had three good shot attempts on Copley but got stonewalled by some unlikely saves

 

[JimEIV]

He's unlucky as hell too

Had three good shot attempts on Copley but got stonewalled by some unlikely saves

This is true. There were a couple of opportunities that made just feel bad for him

 

[Nubmer6]

I don't disagree at all. But I think 5 games into a new season is a little premature to be having this conversation.

5 games is premature, but I was really hoping to see some consistency. Two spectacular games with nothing to show for it doesn't bother me. The 3 afterwards have me concerned he's slipping into his old habits.

 

[Emperoreddy]

They haven’t found a proper RW for that line yet either. Noesen didn’t work at all. Stafford sucks.

It’s going to need to be Bratt or Palms.

 

[Camille the Eel]

Johansson needs to play with someone creative - Bratt will be perfect with him when he returns.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I have really been disappointed with Noesen. He hasn’t looked good on any line.

 

[BahlDeep]

Johansson needs to play with someone creative - Bratt will be perfect with him when he returns.

Zacha is creative, people keep on finding excuses for MJ, but he needs to start having somewhat of an impact

 

[JimEIV]

5 games is premature, but I was really hoping to see some consistency. Two spectacular games with nothing to show for it doesn't bother me. The 3 afterwards have me concerned he's slipping into his old habits.

See I thought the same about Wood. I think that line overall has been quiet since the 1st game. I thought Hall has looked bad for most of this season...Nico has been invisible for large chunks too....but we are 4-1 and different people have stepped up at different times. I just think we need to see has this plays out...at least a little more.

 

[Darkauron]

I wish we had another good natural right handed RW. And not players like Bratt playing their off-wing

 

[Nubmer6]

See I thought the same about Wood. I think that line overall has been quiet since the 1st game. I thought Hall has looked bad for most of this season...Nico has been invisible for large chunks too....but we are 4-1 and different people have stepped up at different times. I just think we need to see has this plays out...at least a little more.

True although Hall traditionally has a slow start though, and I wouldn't call 6 points in 4 games bad. I guess there's a lot of eyes on the 2nd line cause it's really the biggest question mark other than maybe the D. Having a viable 2nd scoring line would go a long way to having a successful season.

I have to say though, even with last night's performance, I'm satisfied with our D. While it can be better, I think it's enough to be decent.

 

[Oneiro]

I'm biased, but Bratt's impact on Mojo and Zacha seemed significant to me. Bratt's ability to maintain possession for a long time takes the burden off of the weakest part of Zacha's game which is creativity (and finish, I guess) and gives Mojo someone more dynamic to work with. Mojo is an East-West player basically.

It might be that Zacha needs to be the garbageman who cleans up after our flying Swedes.