Zajac in 07-08

I think he had a very Parise-like rookie season, and look where Zach is now after his sophomore year. Although Zajac is less gritty than Parise and not as hard on the puck...do you think Zajac can have as solid of a 2nd year?

Also, do you think Lou would be willing to move him if he could acquire a more expensive player to clear room for them?

Personally I think he'll stick around, but Lou sometimes likes to move younger guys for vets. Steve Sullivan comes to mind. Understandably he wasn't adjusting the best to the Devils system, but I still think he always showed promise.

First, I expect Zajac to come back and have a better year. How many rookies do you ever remember the Devils having enough faith in that he was given the number two centers slot? And with the possibility of Gomez not returning, who the heck his going to play center for this team. You just don't give up a big center who will play more physical as he matures, already plays well defensively and has the potential to be a 30 goal scorer unless it's for a big time over-payment.

Zajac did not have a Parise-like rookie season in the least. Parise was overmatched physically and struggled to adapt to the NHL game. He looked out of place on many occasions. Zajac never looked out place, and was always comfortable. He was very consistent, and when he wasn't scoring, he always seemed to play well in his own end.

Zajac did not have a Parise-like rookie season in the least. Parise was overmatched physically and struggled to adapt to the NHL game. He looked out of place on many occasions. Zajac never looked out place, and was always comfortable. He was very consistent, and when he wasn't scoring, he always seemed to play well in his own end.

Exactly. Parise had a pretty bad rookie season in retrospect. He was on the 4th line most of the time, and only produced when put with the red hot Gomez and Gionta. Zajac was on the 2nd (arguably 1st at times) line the entire season and played some big minutes defensively.

Zajac did not have a Parise-like rookie season in the least. Parise was overmatched physically and struggled to adapt to the NHL game. He looked out of place on many occasions. Zajac never looked out place, and was always comfortable. He was very consistent, and when he wasn't scoring, he always seemed to play well in his own end.
Yeah, Zajac had a much smoother transition than Parise. I'll be happy if his sophmore season is anything similar to Parise's. Zach was an absolute stud this year.

Zajac -17g 25a 42pts
Parise -14g 18a 32pts

I don't think that's much a disparity. But my point was really that...both rookie seasons for each respective guy had highlights, and some points where they struggled and weren't as productive.

Also as it was stated...Parise didn't play up top much, and Zajac played with the leading goal scorer on the team, and Langenbrunner who opened up the season very strongly. So they were also in different positions, but overall I think they both had similar rookie seasons and the promise they showed is just about the same. If Zajac can grow over that year as Parise did we might not be one of the lowest scoring teams next year.

But again, I wonder if Lou would be willing to part ways with him for, say, a higher paid physical defensive player.

^^^^Stats say very little when comparing their rookie seasons. Parise was adequate with Gomez and Gionta but he got quite a few soft points. Let's look at it this way, I was somewhat disappointed by Zach's rookie year, I was ecstatic with Zajac's. The biggest difference was that he was great defensively, something Parise was not.

Zajac did not have a Parise-like rookie season in the least. Parise was overmatched physically and struggled to adapt to the NHL game. He looked out of place on many occasions. Zajac never looked out place, and was always comfortable. He was very consistent, and when he wasn't scoring, he always seemed to play well in his own end.
Yep, you got it. I think the most encouraging thing about Parise was how much he improved during the offseason. In his rookie year I don't think he emerged from a battle on the boards with the puck once, last year it was one of his strengths! It's obvious he recognized his weaknesses and worked hard to correct them. That's why I'm excited to see if he can make further improvements this offseason and whether he can encourage Travis to do the same.

Zajac -17g 25a 42pts
Parise -14g 18a 32pts

I don't think that's much a disparity. But my point was really that...both rookie seasons for each respective guy had highlights, and some points where they struggled and weren't as productive.

Also as it was stated...Parise didn't play up top much, and Zajac played with the leading goal scorer on the team, and Langenbrunner who opened up the season very strongly. So they were also in different positions, but overall I think they both had similar rookie seasons and the promise they showed is just about the same. If Zajac can grow over that year as Parise did we might not be one of the lowest scoring teams next year.

But again, I wonder if Lou would be willing to part ways with him for, say, a higher paid physical defensive player.

Like crashlanding said, stats don't tell the story. Zajac had a much better rookie season than Parise did.

The chances of Lou trading Zajac are 0.

provided he's healthy, i expect zajac to see point totals around 25g - 45a.

Zajac had a great rookie season... I fully expect him to have a great second year, especially if he puts on some muscle and gets a little grittier.

Also, he hangs out with Parise a lot, so if Zach's work ethic rubs off in the offseason, especially in terms of offseason work, I think we'll all be very happy with Zajac next season.

The one thing he REALLY needs to work on is finishing... how many great set-ups did he have this year that he just flubbed on?

Zajac is a poor man's Brindy. He isn't going anywhere. He is a posterboy for what a Devils forward should be.

His weakness is protecting the puck and his lack of speed. I expect him to come out next season with a little more pep in his step and a tad more physical. He doesn't lack size, he just doesn't use it enough.

Zajac is a poor man's Brindy. He isn't going anywhere. He is a posterboy for what a Devils forward should be.

His weakness is protecting the puck and his lack of speed. I expect him to come out next season with a little more pep in his step and a tad more physical. He doesn't lack size, he just doesn't use it enough.

Protecting the puck is one of his strengths.

Protecting the puck is one of his strengths.

I saw him get it stripped from him too many times last year, especially one on one.

A great player...will be even better next year. However, I don't think he'll ever be the goal scorer that Parise has become...If he gets 30G I'd be suprised, but a mid
20's guy with about 40-50 assists a year is where I think he will peak.
Not sure if he needs to put on some weight or just use it better, but I expect his physical game to improve as time goes on.
Lou would have to be crazy to trade this guy, unless he feels it will make the Devils the favorite for the Cup...

I saw him get it stripped from him too many times last year, especially one on one.
Huh? If you're talking about one on one situations off the rush, that doesn't count as "protecting the puck." Protecting the puck refers to work down low while set up in the zone and he's quite good at it.

I can see Zajac really filling his body out and being in the 210s. He has a great all around game and it will defintely show in the coming years. Zajac went up another level and was oozing confidence in the playoffs.

Huh? If you're talking about one on one situations off the rush, that doesn't count as "protecting the puck." Protecting the puck refers to work down low while set up in the zone and he's quite good at it.

i agree, he is good at protecting the puck down low. he uses his body well and his reach to shield the puck from the defender. if you recall, at times, the ZZPOP line was the only line that knew how to cycle and put consistent pressure in the offensive zone.

I can see Zajac really filling his body out and being in the 210s. He has a great all around game and it will defintely show in the coming years. Zajac went up another level and was oozing confidence in the playoffs.

He doesn't need any more weight. He needs to use what he has a little more effectively. We don't want a Jason Allison. ;)

^^^^Stats say very little when comparing their rookie seasons. Parise was adequate with Gomez and Gionta but he got quite a few soft points. Let's look at it this way, I was somewhat disappointed by Zach's rookie year, I was ecstatic with Zajac's. The biggest difference was that he was great defensively, something Parise was not.


Right I don't care about the stats, just said it wasn't much different in that regard...it had to do with their consistency throughout the season, period. Not numbers.

Zajac's game translates alot easier to the pro game that Parise's does. Parise was able to make the transition very well in his 2nd year, as we all saw, but I don't think we'll see the same outburst from Zajac that we did from Zach. I expect to see Zajac become more and more effective in his sophomore year, but I don't expect him to step up and improve as much as Parise did.

I think the one thing that makes Zajac so different from Parise is Zajac had an easier time adjusting to the game then Parise did. Had Parise adjusted as quickly, he might have had a better rookie season. I don't think Zajac will have as good a sophomore season as Parise did, not bad, just not as good, because of how well he adjusted in the first place.

Well, I think if Zajac and Parise stay together on a line it'll do well for them both. Zach will pull the goals, and Zajac and pull the assists on them. Maybe not, who knows. It's all gonna depend on who we get this off-season.

Zajac has the skill to be an 80-90 point guy. He needs to develop a mean streak. He and Parise are a helluva line if they keep them together.

I don't feel like starting a new thread on this, so I'll just ask it here...

Travis has a younger brother, right? When is he eligible for the draft? I haven't read anything about him leading up to this draft, so I'm assuming it's not this year.

Travis has a younger brother, right? When is he eligible for the draft? I haven't read anything about him leading up to this draft, so I'm assuming it's not this year.Kelly Zajac was born in June 1988, so he was available last year too.

Zajac has the skill to be an 80-90 point guy. He needs to develop a mean streak. He and Parise are a helluva line if they keep them together.

That would be nice. I don't see his ceiling being THAT high, but 70-75 points and an A on the jersey 5 years down the road I think is possible. But I do hope you're right about the points. ;)

I don't feel like starting a new thread on this, so I'll just ask it here...

Travis has a younger brother, right? When is he eligible for the draft? I haven't read anything about him leading up to this draft, so I'm assuming it's not this year.
His brother is a 4th liner for UND and doesn't get too much ice time. I don't think he is an NHL prospect at all.

His brother is a 4th liner for UND and doesn't get too much ice time. I don't think he is an NHL prospect at all.
I don't know, maybe Lou should sign him just in case ;)

I didn't realize there was that much of a dropoff in talent. That's too bad.

His brother is a 4th liner for UND and doesn't get too much ice time. I don't think he is an NHL prospect at all.

He'isn't, neither of his brothers are.
No matter how little ice time he gets, I think Lou should try to sign him. Our fourth line barely gets any ice time anyway, if he were to make it to the NHL, and it might prevent Zajac from pulling a Neidermayer -which is why I think he signed/drafted Parise, Gionta, and Pandolfo's brothers- if he signs somewhere else.