Devils 2020-21 team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part XIX

[SteveCangialosi123]

So the kinda guy that instantly sells his shares once the stock prices go up a bit, and will never make any real profit cause he’s too afraid to lose any money.

Maybe Zacha is just getting started, we’ve held on to him for so long that trading him now only to see him become a 60pts two-way top6 player in another team would suck big time..

This would be more like selling GameStop stock during that craziness. I’m still bearish in the long term.

 

[Satans Hockey]

This is an important part too that I had missed, not sure how they are going to actually enforce this but if they somehow do will definitely affect people as well...

"Fans will be able to attend with only those who they currently live with – defined as a “household”."

 

[Devils731]

This is an important part too that I had missed, not sure how they are going to actually enforce this but if they somehow do will definitely affect people as well...

"Fans will be able to attend with only those who they currently live with – defined as a “household”."

Maybe that’s complete CYA to make sure a group of friends don’t go and then sue the team when 1 member of the group gets the other 5 sick? Team can point to the fact they said you could only go with your own household.

 

[Guttersniped]

Zacha in his last 100 games - 27 5v5 pts. 1.39 P/60. 44.19 CF%. 42.88 xGF%

Nico - 40 5v5 pts. 1.78 P/60. 47.63 CF%. 50.45 xGF%

Bratt - 41 5v5 pts. 2.08 P/60. 48.44 CF%. 50.56 xGF%

He's a 3rd liner at best at 5v5 who is useful on special teams

Two of his points are 5v5 (both goals). He has two more counted as EV points, his goal in third Boston game was 4-on-4 and he had an assist on Wood’s empty net goal in the Buffalo win. The other four are PP points.

Two 5v5 goals in 13 games is stunning for Zacha, if he was good for 13 5v5 goals in 82 games plus his special teams contributions that would be amazing. He’s very much likely not.

I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to trade one of our better special team performers right now though. We lost Coleman and Rooney and Fitz “internally” replaced them. Not sure I’d toss Zacha quite yet.

The reason people keep bringing up his 5v5 scoring is because that’s where contenders want his scoring to come from and it doesn’t. He’s middling on power play, which good enough for here right now but not a contender, and he’s flat out bad 5v5.

I know people have referenced his big game against Nashville after Hynes was fired. He did have 3 points: a SH goal, a PP goal and PP assist. That’s Zacha for ya.

 

[Ripshot 43]

Really glad they are opening up the games to some of you all. Wish I could be there. I really have no idea how with these extra precautions that the games will be profitable for owners with such a small percentage allowed in... it’s almost as if $20 hotdogs are a tad overpriced

 

[Guttersniped]

This is an important part too that I had missed, not sure how they are going to actually enforce this but if they somehow do will definitely affect people as well...

"Fans will be able to attend with only those who they currently live with – defined as a “household”."

I guess that means you can’t bring a guest or sell a ticket to stranger (depending on how they check all that).

 

[SpeakingOfTheDevils]

Maybe that’s complete CYA to make sure a group of friends don’t go and then sue the team when 1 member of the group gets the other 5 sick? Team can point to the fact they said you could only go with your own household.

It’s definitely a CYA. I understand the need to mitigate liability—and you’re probably right with your theory—but it’s such a stupid charade.

Just have fans sign waivers releasing NJD/Pru Center from all covid-related claims—and you could trim a lot of the “protocol.”

 

[JimEIV]

I'm convinced more than ever that the Zacha stuff/talk is to distract from/after fan darlings looked like shit.

I mean here we are in the middle of a 6 game point streak...only 1 game of his last 9 he didn't record a point...he has 40 points in his last 78....Nope, smoke and mirrors...how in good god is this the topic of conversation?

 

[Devils090]

I'm convinced more than ever that the Zacha stuff/talk is to distract from/after fan darlings looked like shit.

I mean here we are in the middle of a 6 game point streak...only 1 game of his last 9 he didn't record a point...he has 40 points in his last 78....Nope, smoke and mirrors...how in good god is the topic of conversation?

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[SteveCangialosi123]

I'm convinced more than ever that the Zacha stuff/talk is to distract from/after fan darlings looked like shit.

I mean here we are in the middle of a 6 game point streak...only 1 game of his last 9 he didn't record a point...he has 40 points in his last 78....Nope, smoke and mirrors...how in good god is this the topic of conversation?

Players that play 17 minutes a game get points sometimes. His underlying numbers stink.

 

[RSeen]

I'm not sold Zacha's turned the corner. He's been back to his usual BS the last two games.

Hughes, Severson, Smith I'm sold on. Not Zacha.

I agree. I view him as a third line player and do not see potential for more.

 

[Nubmer6]

I'm convinced more than ever that the Zacha stuff/talk is to distract from/after fan darlings looked like shit.

I mean here we are in the middle of a 6 game point streak...only 1 game of his last 9 he didn't record a point...he has 40 points in his last 78....Nope, smoke and mirrors...how in good god is this the topic of conversation?

Honestly, I feel like we've been down this road before. He's had stretches of production in the past and then disappointed.

I certainly hope he's turned the corner, but you've gotta understand why some people are skeptical. It takes 4 or 5 " 'ata boy"s to overcome a screwup.

 

[Azathoth]

Not saying I want to move him, but would be a realistic return on Zacha that would actually move the needle?

 

[StevenToddIves]

I like Zacha and will continue to support him on these threads. He needs to be judged for who he is, and not for the fact that he's not Barzal or Connor. He's a very good defensive player who offers excellent size/skating and pretty good puck skills. Zacha can shoot and is good on the PK. Zacha's a good player in my humble opinion, and I hope he's a part of the Devils future plans.

 

[Hisch13r]

Not saying I want to move him, but would be a realistic return on Zacha that would actually move the needle?

I don't even have a clue on what his value would actually be. I'm pretty sure he's more valuable to the Devils than what his return would be though

 

[Hisch13r]

I like Zacha and will continue to support him on these threads. He needs to be judged for who he is, and not for the fact that he's not Barzal or Connor. He's a very good defensive player who offers excellent size/skating and pretty good puck skills. Zacha can shoot and is good on the PK. Zacha's a good player in my humble opinion, and I hope he's a part of the Devils future plans.

Zacha is 3rd worst since 18-19 among Devils forwards with at least 500 5v5 minutes played in CA/60. Only better than Simmonds and Wood. Worst in xGA/60. 3rd worst in SCA/60. Only better than Simmonds and Wood. 2nd worst in HDCA/60. Only better than Gusev.

Zacha is not good defensively. Good PK guy=/=Good defensive player

 

[Devils090]

Yeah I’ve been a big critic of his but hopefully with Jack and Nico at full speed he can settle in to thst 3C role and start producing a little bit more. He’s shown flashes of what he can do, just needs to put it all together. And while he’s been here awhile he’s still just about to tur. 24, he can still grow as a player now that he has a coach who knows what he’s doing.

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

Nice tip of the cap to Zajac and him reaching 1000 games from Jeff Marek on the latest 31 Thoughts podcast.

 

[Guttersniped]

I'm convinced more than ever that the Zacha stuff/talk is to distract from/after fan darlings looked like shit.

I mean here we are in the middle of a 6 game point streak...only 1 game of his last 9 he didn't record a point...he has 40 points in his last 78....Nope, smoke and mirrors...how in good god is the topic of conversation?

I don’t think I’m saying anything that’s not true about Zacha. I remember you making a big deal about Wood’s playing time vs Bratt’s and their scoring. Do you want to apply that Zacha? All that dude does is endlessly play and then he doesn’t produce much 5v5. And his 5v5 possession and defense is real rugged.

This comes up when discussing where he should be in the lineup, including the question of him being a center or winger. Do you have preference for where he should be in line-up? It’s same with Wood, but he’s the anti-Zacha if you will, with 6 of his points (3G 3A) coming 5v5.

It also comes up with Zacha’s future role on this team. He’s up for a qualifying offer of 3m in 2022 and he’ll have arbitration rights. If he hasn’t locked down a center or a scoring winger role he’s not going to hang around. After the Expansion Draft his cap hit of 2.25m makes him a reasonably cheap trade piece. So that’s some of the talking points.

 

[Nicomo Cosca]

I like Zacha and will continue to support him on these threads. He needs to be judged for who he is, and not for the fact that he's not Barzal or Connor. He's a very good defensive player who offers excellent size/skating and pretty good puck skills. Zacha can shoot and is good on the PK. Zacha's a good player in my humble opinion, and I hope he's a part of the Devils future plans.

Is he though? I’ve always felt folks tend to overrate his defense a bit just because he’s a decent PKer.

 

[Guttersniped]

I don't even have a clue on what his value would actually be. I'm pretty sure he's more valuable to the Devils than what his return would be though

I think we’d have to to wait until after the expansion draft unless it was a roster player for roster player trade. His cap hit of 2.25m could intrigue team after the ED.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Ruff's last team is No.2 on the list.

 

[Hisch13r]

Yeah I’ve been a big critic of his but hopefully with Jack and Nico at full speed he can settle in to thst 3C role and start producing a little bit more. He’s shown flashes of what he can do, just needs to put it all together. And while he’s been here awhile he’s still just about to tur. 24, he can still grow as a player now that he has a coach who knows what he’s doing.

He's a winger. I see no way that he is good enough to be a 3C. Zacha needs really good wingers in order to be useful center and he isn't going to get that as the 3C

 

[Lou is God]

For those who have Cablevision, what channel are the Devils games on when the Rangers are playing too? Asking for a friend (really lol).

 

[Jets012]

Yea I mean since beginning of 2019 Zacha is at 1.25 Points/60 at Even Strength. For comparison that's what Zajac and Butcher are at exactly. So well, well, well below Palmieri, Wood, Gusev, Hischier, Bratt, and even Hughes who struggled last year to score on the 5-5. Johnsson's more productive on it. Hell small sample, but McLeod is above him too.

His possession metrics aren't great. Doesn't bring nearly the defensive value that Zajac does. Makes plenty of defensive lapses. Can't be a 3rd line center for us.

He's an NHL caliber player, but I don't really know what makes him standout in a lineup. He's not productive enough at even-strength even when putting him with top 6 players like Hughes, Bratt, Nico. So what is his fit here long-term?

The one thing I'll give him credit for is that he is solid on the PP. For a unit that hasn't been great, he's probably the strongest guy we have on it.

Since 2019 out of 287 qualified guys with 100 minutes on the PP, Zacha ranks 72nd in Points/60, higher than Palmieri even.

So I guess a bottom 6 (really 4th line guy at ES) and a Power Play specialist is his role? I don't know I just think he's replaceable. My main problem is Ruff seems to really like him. Gusev has been brutal, absolutely brutal, but he's shown flashes of scoring at ES at rates that Zacha hasn't come even close to touching.