Travis Zajac 1000th Game Appreciation Thread

[Better Call Sal]

In advance of what will be his 1000th game in a Devils uniform hopefully this weekend, I thought that our beloved Trav deserved a thread to be rightfully appreciated the way he should be.

I think there is likely only a select few Devils fans who have not neglected Trav in some capacity or taken him for granted. I can personally say that during the late DeBoer/Lou era, I certainly was leaning towards his contract not aging too well for us. Due to several circumstances of players leaving and others being bought out, that thankfully never turned out to be the case. But above all that, one player remained through it all and that was Trav.

Not only has his contract been completely fine for this team since he signed, his game has aged remarkably. I said it in one thread last week, but he has now become the guy to get wingers going. He won't be your top line C, but if you need to stabilize another line and get the best out of a couple of wingers who are struggling, put them with Trav. It is pretty surreal to see him still play effective hockey after all this time, when there are plenty of players who start to struggle at his age.

My favorite part of Trav's game, though? Nerding out after goals. Here's to an awesome Devil who will hopefully continue to be here until he decides to hang 'em up.

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[SJinNewJersey]

One subtle thing I noticed about Travis, it really seems players get better when they play on a line with him.

 

[BurntToast]

One of the best “Devils”! His era came at an unfortunate time in Devils history, but he is a model of consistency. He is one of the best 3Cs but often out played that role.

 

[Clam Jensen]

I was a sophomore in high school when he made the team. It was the year after Parise broke into the league, so I was hyped to have 2 young studs to build around.

I can’t believe 15 years have gone by and he’s about to play in his 1000th game. Such a great player, and from everything we’ve heard about him over the years, an even better person.

 

[Call Me Al]

always thought the contract complaints were completely overblown and he’s been a great devil. i hope he can stick around long enough to win it all with this group

 

[Nicomo Cosca]

One subtle thing I noticed about Travis, it really seems players get better when they play on a line with him.

Yep. Most recently that “Travis and the Texans” line of him, Coleman and Noesen. Coleman was obviously good on his own, but Noesen scored 13 goals with Zajac as his center. And he’s never even sniffed double digit goals before or since.

 

[VoidCreature]

A great day for the franchise, and for Travis. He’s been a consummate professional and a model Devil every game he’s played here in New Jersey.

Playing 1000 games, all with the same team, is a big deal. Happy to get the chance to cheer on Travis tonight. Let’s go get two points, boys!

 

[The Wumpus]

Cangi's reaction to Travis unloading a sack of knuckles on Gudas' face was the funniest thing I've ever seen during a hockey game.

 

[FinnishDevil]

Even with all the more flashy and younger good players on this team, Travis is probably my favorite. He's such a pro.

Greene, Coleman etc. getting traded and seeing on a rival jersey hurt, but imagining if Travis accepted the NYI trade last year that was rumoured.. that wouldve really hurt. In Marty with Blues kinda way. Not saying for you guys, but for me personally. He's been with the team my whole time as a fan.

He's one of those guys you'd love to get a chance to finish his career here and only wear one jersey his whole career, like Patty.

But if he wants to go and get a Cup at the deadline, you trade him and thank him for all the work he put in day in day out for this organisation.

But if he doesnt want to get traded and wants to keep playing in Jersey, I hope the management agrees that he's earned another contract and a chance to retire here whether its this year or 1 or 2 years from now.

Love the guy.

 

[glenwo2]

Cangi's reaction to Travis unloading a sack of knuckles on Gudas' face was the funniest thing I've ever seen during a hockey game.

Cangy couldn't believe what he was seeing. Hence his reaction.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

didn't Zajac also beat the hell out of Dubinsky back in the day or am I misremembering?

Anyways, I said it in the GDT the other night but if he keeps up this level of play a few more weeks, I would definitely extend him another year. Having Hughes/Hischier/Zajac down the middle is kind of nice and we haven't even gotten it yet this year.

 

[Better Call Sal]

didn't Zajac also beat the hell out of Dubinsky back in the day or am I misremembering?

Anyways, I said it in the GDT the other night but if he keeps up this level of play a few more weeks, I would definitely extend him another year. Having Hughes/Hischier/Zajac down the middle is kind of nice and we haven't even gotten it yet this year.

I think that was Ryan Carter who beat Dubinsky’s nose in which then led to the infamous line brawl the next time they played.

 

[Blender]

Great Devils player and love to see him hitting 1,000 games with us. He's 4th in franchise history in games played (3rd among skaters), 3rd in points, 4th in goals, 5th in assists. Hell of a player for us.

 

[glenwo2]

More good stuff :



And the Pens announcers were so butthurt over it.

BTW, "F.U." to one of them who says it's "tough to get up for the Devils" implying they're boring or some sh-t.


Anyway...Here is a TYPICAL "Zajac" Goal :

 

[Blender]

 

[The Devil In I]

Cangi's reaction to Travis unloading a sack of knuckles on Gudas' face was the funniest thing I've ever seen during a hockey game.

I met him in Columbus a couple games after that fight and asked him who he was dropping the gloves with that night. He laughed out loud and was like....yea think that's just gonna be a one time thing.

 

[EliasFTW]

I didn't know Shanahan was still on the team.

It feels like only yesterday we were touting ZZ Pops as a top line. Congrats Trav hope we get to see a few Stonehand goals!

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

Good work @Prezidentas Zubrus Thanks for this! The running man will always be my favorite Zajac goal. He’s been through a lot with NJD and as far as I know, never complained and has always been classy. Congrats to TZ.

 

[Oneiro]

One of my favorite Devils ever. I really hope he gets to raise the cup. Few players in this league deserve it more.

 

[Satans Hockey]

Crazy that it's 1000 games already and I can say I've seen all of them and been there live for probably almost half of them as well.

Favorite goal is still the ot goal in game 6 vs Florida in 2012 but I've been enjoying his celebrations this season so far.

 

[Devils731]

Cangy couldn't believe what he was seeing. Hence his reaction.

Zajac is throwing punches like a madman there. He’s not worried about breaking his hand and he’s punching after they’re already on the ice. He just snapped.

 

[regulahbread]

I know it probably won't happen, but I think we should retire his number. He could've made a lot of money somewhere else when our best players were leaving left and right, but he chose to stay and embrace being a New Jersey Devil. That means something. It's been an honor and a privilege to see his career unfold.

 

[Devils731]

I know it probably won't happen, but I think we should retire his number. He could've made a lot of money somewhere else when our best players were leaving left and right, but he chose to stay and embrace being a New Jersey Devil. That means something. It's been an honor and a privilege to see his career unfold.

He’s a guy that is probably a good fit for the ring of honor. Really good player. Special to Devils fans but not at a star level.

I’d enjoy a night celebrating his career but I usually err on the side of frugality when it comes to Jersey retiring.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

people always gave him shit for his contract, and yes he probably was a tad overpaid for most of it, but the fact that he was one of the only veteran guys who chose to stay around longterm along with Greene and Schneider (woof) says something to me.

 

[glenwo2]

people always gave him shit for his contract, and yes he probably was a tad overpaid for most of it, but the fact that he was one of the only veteran guys who chose to stay around longterm along with Greene and Schneider (woof) says something to me.

It also helped that unlike Cory and Greene, he remains an effective player.