NHL LIVE 09/28 Break Out Player of 2011

by MikePelusoTears on Sep 28, 2010 3:19 PM EDT

Was watching NHL LIVE today on the NHL channel and saw that they were having a contest. The contest consisted of fans calling in, tweeting or e-mailing who they thought a big break out player would be in 2011. As in one who is going to significantly improve in stats and role on their team. Who ever made the best case won NHL2011 for Xbox360 or PS3.

I called in and was lucky enough to get on the air. I stated the case for Travis Zajac. Not only because he centering Zach and Kovy but because Johnny Mac seems as if he is going to try to produce a more offensive minded team as opposed to the traditional "Trap" system. Also I brought up the fact that Adam Oates is also behind the bench and one of the best forwards of all time to mentor the line and Zajac in particular. They ended up getting 2-3 fans calling in and saying Trav, actually.

Just want to know what you guys think about Travis Zajac as a top Break out player this season. Also, if you have any other ideas for Break Out Players on the Devs this year or throughout the NHL.

By the way...the guys at NHL LIVE seemed to agree with me since they gave me the prize: NHL2011!

LETS GO DEVILS!!!!!!

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rofl nice

by KovyisLove on Sep 28, 2010 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with you. I could see Zajac putting up 80+ pts. this year.

by C.J. Richey on Sep 28, 2010 5:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

That would be sweeeeeeeet

Marc R.

by devilssan2 on Sep 28, 2010 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Thats what I'm 'talking about!

Good job man. There is no doubt that Zajac is in prime position to break out this year. If the ZIP line does in fact stay together within the season, they are instant contenders for the most productive line in the entire league. Especially because the Devils play a much more up-tempo game within Johnny Mac’s system.

I own the game as well. My PS3 SN is TDevilsG. Lets roll together with the Devils on team play online sometime!

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." -Aristotle

by Tim G on Sep 28, 2010 7:46 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t know that I’d consider Zajac a “breakout player”. It isn’t like he’s coming out of nowhere — he’s been Parise’s center for the last few years and put up good numbers, and people know who he is.

by acasser on Sep 28, 2010 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

I agree, but the case is Zajac is in prime position to go from 60-70 points to the 80/90 range, maybe even 100 if the line REALLY clicks. But that’s being a little too optimistic.
I can see him hitting 85, realistically, if the line is all it’s cracked up to be.

by skly27 on Sep 28, 2010 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I think to Devils fans and to people who pay closer attention to hockey, Zajac won’t be, but he gets very little coverage in the MSM (from what I’ve seen). Even Parise is kind of unknown (and he would be even more without the Olympics—I have the picture of him beating Luongo on my desktop :) ). I guess Zajac would seem to come out of nowhere like Nicklas Backstrom last year.

My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the winger that has now terrorized over 70 NHL goalies.

by red army line on Sep 29, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

congrats

Game sick and I agree with your choice.

Joshd12
Brock University
BA. Sports Management, 2014
BA. Recreation and Leisure Studies, 2011

by joshd12 on Sep 28, 2010 11:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

i agree that zajac could see his point totals improve a lot.

given that kovy and parise were both top 10 in shots on goal last year, i don’t see zajac improving too much on his goal totals. he could break 30 goals, but i think 25 is more realistic.

where i think he could really improve, just on the basis of playing with two guys who are capable of combining for 80-90 goals, is in assists.

if zajac stays on a line with kovy and parise for most of the year, i could see him putting up points somewhere between paul stastny (20g, 59a in 09-10) and brad richards (24g, 67a in 09-10).

by hocke26 on Sep 28, 2010 11:27 PM EDT reply actions