Todd Cordell: Report: Pavel Zacha is here to stay

Todd Cordell: Report: Pavel Zacha is here to stay
- Todd.Cordell

I think it's kind of a mistake. He has been good, but 3 points in 8 games isn't worth keeping him, even if he is good in every other area.

I look at the Jets situation with Scheiffle. He was drafted 7th overall, and was sent down his draft year and the year after. And now look at him, he had 29 goals last year and 61 points. This year he has played 9 games and has 4 goals and 8 points.

They need to think of this long term not just this year.

I think it's kind of a mistake. He has been good, but 3 points in 8 games isn't worth keeping him, even if he is good in every other area.

I look at the Jets situation with Scheiffle. He was drafted 7th overall, and was sent down his draft year and the year after. And now look at him, he had 29 goals last year and 61 points. This year he has played 9 games and has 4 goals and 8 points.

They need to think of this long term not just this year.
- Devils9503

Yes and no.
I don't think Zacha's point production should be the reason he is kept or sent down, one should take his overall play into consideration. IMO he hasn't looked out of place in the least.
I understand the need to develop players properly but I really don't see him benefiting from more time in the OHL.

I think it's kind of a mistake. He has been good, but 3 points in 8 games isn't worth keeping him, even if he is good in every other area.

I look at the Jets situation with Scheiffle. He was drafted 7th overall, and was sent down his draft year and the year after. And now look at him, he had 29 goals last year and 61 points. This year he has played 9 games and has 4 goals and 8 points.

They need to think of this long term not just this year.
- Devils9503

He's made quite a few passes in tight that could very well have led to goals. If that were the case, he could have anywhere from 4-6 points at this point. The sample size is so small to talk about points honestly. If he has 3 points around game 20 then yeah that would probably be a mistake in a sense, but if he can continue to play very strong and responsible, I don't see how it hurt his development or this years team.

It speaks to how good he's been that it hasn't even been on my radar that he could still get sent down after 9 games. Always seemed certain to me that he'd stay.

I think based on play and how he's looked it's fine to keep him up. Based on him being 19 years old it seems a bit rushed and I'm always concerned pushing guys too fast can hurt them in the long run.

It would be helpful if there was an actual study that shows what happens with these guys.

The only question in my mind has been what line he fits best on, not if he should be here.

I like how him and Zajac are somewhat interchangeable on the top line. It allows for him to get experience in all places/scenarios without over exposing him.

Usually the question is if a young player will grow with limited minutes and sheltered situations. That doesn't seem to be the case here. He has seen top end opponents of perennial playoff teams and didn't look lost or out of place, particularly in the last few games.

Besides it doesn't matter what we think, they make the decisions, we are just along for the ride. If they think this is the best thing, I will support them in that decision.

The only question in my mind has been what line he fits best on, not if he should be here.

I like how him and Zajac are somewhat interchangeable on the top line. It allows for him to get experience in all places/scenarios without over exposing him.

Usually the question is if a young player will grow with limited minutes and sheltered situations. That doesn't seem to be the case here. He has seen top end opponents of perennial playoff teams and didn't look lost or out of place, particularly in the last few games.

Besides it doesn't matter what we think, they make the decisions, we are just along for the ride. If they think this is the best thing, I will support them in that decision.
- TRDevil[/

Obviously when you're a top 10 pick the expectation is that you're going to produce points, and we've seen the videos in Juniors of him doing that. But didn't he come out and say he wants to be like a Bergeron or Kopitar type of player? Those aren't point per game guys anymore.

If they wanted him to blossom into a pure scorer than I think they'd send him back. But if they want a responsible, two-way guy who can chip in then I'm not sure what else he needs to show them.

Yesssssss

Free Smelly!

Free Smelly!
- Iggysbff

I agree.

Not sure about this move...

I'd have sent him down. Although he's shown hints of being a strong NHL center, I don't think there's any rush with him. Hopefully they know something about him I don't.

Not sure about this move...

I'd have sent him down. Although he's shown hints of being a strong NHL center, I don't think there's any rush with him. Hopefully they know something about him I don't.
- archromat

I'm sure they have a spreadsheet

I don't think they view this as a rebuild year. They are going for the playoffs. Schneider is the best (if not second best) goalie in hockey at the moment and with some tinkering we are a tough team to play against. Zacha is a big part of it IMO.

Guys who perform well in the OHL usually score a bajillion points there. Zacha only had 60 something, not typically the mark of an NHL level scorer. But maybe that's not what he is. He hasn't looked lost by any stretch, I wonder if he could gain more by another year in the minors.

Regardless, he'll be getting time to develop. He's on the top line now.