Zacha

[jman]

What are people's thoughts on this guy? Upside with hits included...

Thanks in advance

[hockeymanG23]

I'm hoping for him to be like a Benn-lite at his best, 65-70 points with all the hits, pims, shots, shorties, etc

[Axeman33]

He's a budding power forward, plain and simple. The big question will be who NJ can surround him with that will offer the support.

I think he can be a solid 65+pt guy most seasons. As far as hits go, it's hard to say because they don't track those stats in Jr hockey but at 6'3" and 200+lbs, he wont be afraid to throw his weight around.

[Pit Bulls]

I saw Zacha play on a number of occasions last year and I came away unimpressed. He was good, but didn't dominate.

A friend of mine was also on the Sarnia Sting and I asked him what was going on with Zacha - did he have a nagging injury or was it something bigger?

He told me Zacha was lazy and lacked motivation. It could have been due to the time of the season when I asked (mid March) but I found his comment about his laziness raised a red flag for me.

Perhaps something to watch going forward......

[Goldendelicious]

I saw Zacha play on a number of occasions last year and I came away unimpressed. He was good, but didn't dominate.

A friend of mine was also on the Sarnia Sting and I asked him what was going on with Zacha - did he have a nagging injury or was it something bigger?

He told me Zacha was lazy and lacked motivation. It could have been due to the time of the season when I asked (mid March) but I found his comment about his laziness raised a red flag for me.

Perhaps something to watch going forward......

I'd agree with this. Felt the same way each time I watched Sarnia play. He was very Alex Nylander-ish in that "give me the puck" & "screw going after it myself" attitude. He does get ticked off pretty easy and I think he'll supplement the hits and pims categories at the next level. But he needs someone to light a firecracker under ass.

[dino200022]

I saw Zacha play on a number of occasions last year and I came away unimpressed. He was good, but didn't dominate.

A friend of mine was also on the Sarnia Sting and I asked him what was going on with Zacha - did he have a nagging injury or was it something bigger?

He told me Zacha was lazy and lacked motivation. It could have been due to the time of the season when I asked (mid March) but I found his comment about his laziness raised a red flag for me.

Perhaps something to watch going forward......

Agree with this for sure....he is either really lazy or really slow one or the other. Kid can shoot and finds open ice well without the puck so there is no doubt he will be able to put up some numbers if any coach at the next level will trust him. But don't expect him to be a plus player IMO, he lacks any urgency on the back check.

[jman]

Good insight on this. Thanks guys.

[Crazy Joe Davola]

Not super high on Zacha myself. He shows glimpses of dominance at times, but his lackadaisical attitude keeps me wanting more.

You can't teach elite skill, but team's often discover that you can't teach desire either.

I think he'll end up being a bit of bust at his draft spot but should become a serviceable NHL'er and with tantalizing plays/games but continual struggles to maintain it over the long haul.

[rtstr]

He's a great player but unless the Devils do something to get some young talent he'll never be anymore than a 65 point player if you ask me. I definitely think the laziness/attitude problems had to do with him feeling like he didn't belong in Canadian junior hockey. It's certainly a red flag, though.

[Crazy Joe Davola]

He's a great player but unless the Devils do something to get some young talent he'll never be anymore than a 65 point player if you ask me. I definitely think the laziness/attitude problems had to do with him feeling like he didn't belong in Canadian junior hockey. It's certainly a red flag, though.

Do you mean that he felt he should have been in the NHL last season and thus didn't get it up for CHL hockey? Because those tendencies were certainly there in his draft season as well.