Todd Cordell: Who should replace Travis Zajac on the top line?

Zacha?

Zajac was on your top line? Yikes. Replace him with... Anyone

Todd, let me know if I'm mistaken here but from what I understand, NJ has generally been a team that heavily matches lines relative to other teams. In the Deboer and Hynes years, the Zajac line (and Greene pairing) basically takes the majority of the tough minutes to a degree that you don't see on other teams. Zajac is a great defensive player and the Devils haven't had enough talent to make two good lines since Elias fell off a cliff in 14-15, so this made sense.

Without Zajac, the Devils don't have a shutdown center that can make up for what Zajac did, so my suggestion would be to forget about finding his replacement. Instead, balance out the lines as much as possible and understand that this isn't going to be a good year.

Zajac was on your top line? Yikes. Replace him with... Anyone
- Njuice

If you don't understand what Zajac provides, sure. But Zajac is as good of a defensive center as you'll find short of Bergeron. If he could provide a little more offense, he'd be getting regular Selke consideration.

Zajac was on your top line? Yikes. Replace him with... Anyone
- Njuice

Someone's never watched Zajac play.

Zacha?
- willschulme

He'd get my vote, but its nice that there's a whole training camp to look at all the options.

I like Zacha but he had 24 points last season. Not a guy I'd be comfortable relying on vs top competition every night.

I like Zacha but he had 24 points last season. Not a guy I'd be comfortable relying on vs top competition every night.
- Todd.Cordell

But our only established option would be henrique and he didn't look great with Hall last season.

I like Zacha but he had 24 points last season. Not a guy I'd be comfortable relying on vs top competition every night.
- Todd.Cordell

Zacha should start the season on the second line to see if his game has improved he has the talent to become a top line center

Todd Cordell: Who should replace Travis Zajac on the top line?
- Todd.Cordell

Zacha

Zajac was on your top line? Yikes. Replace him with... Anyone
- Njuice

Hall played best with him

Fools. The answer is right in front of your faces. Mike Pelley.

Fools. The answer is right in front of your faces. Mike Pelley.
- smellmyfinger

I think you mean Rod. Shaking off the rust on that one.

PTO for Gomez?

I think you mean Rod. Shaking off the rust on that one.
- willschulme

poop. Yeah, it's been far too long. and I'm drinking.

PTO for Gomez?
- Byfuglien Ate Me

Arnott is a free agent.

Arnott is a free agent.
- smellmyfinger

What's Bobby Holik doing these days?

Arnott is a free agent.
- smellmyfinger

So is Nemchinov for some reason!

What's Bobby Holik doing these days?
- rmdevil313

Eating would be the safe guess.

Sign some UFA journeyman to protect the kids. Don't want to ruin anyone's development by forcing them to play top minutes against the league's #1 lines

is it october yet?