How Should the Devils Utilize Travis Zajac When He Returns?
by Kevin Sellathamby on Feb 21, 2012 12:17 PM EST
in Devils Issues, Views & Analysis
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PrintAs the season has progressed, the Devils forward corps has gotten healthier and healthier. For most of the season, Jacob Josefson has been hurt and returned to action last month. Ilya Kovalchuk, Adam Henrique, Ryan Carter and to a lesser extent, Eric Boulton have missed some time this season due to injury. However, one forward hasn’t been healthy for pretty much the entire season- Travis Zajac. He’s only played in 8 of the team’s 58 games, and is still currently inactive (he should be expected back in March, hopefully). With the lines working the way they are right now, it’s going to be pretty tricky to fit Zajac back into the lineup. However, the Devils have quite a few options when Zajac returns.
Insert Zajac back into the top 6
Why it would work: Zajac has experience centering the Devils top line- for the last couple of years he's been the team's top centre. He has also had lots of experience playing alongside Zach Parise, as well as some experience with Ilya Kovalchuk. Also, putting him in at center would mean Patrik Elias would have to worry less about taking faceoffs.
Why it wouldn't work: There's no need to insert Zajac back into the top 6. As of now, there's no need to put him back into the top 6. Adam Henrique and Elias are doing fine centering their respective lines. While they're not nearly as good at faceoffs as Zajac is, it's not like neither are struggling significantly enough to warrant a change.
Use Zajac as a protected scoring forward
Why it would work: Currently, the most protected player (in terms of offensive zone starts) on the Devils is Ilya Kovalchuk, at 55.1%.Zajac who is a capable offensive forward, could get some more offensive zone starts with wingers like Alexei Ponikarovsky and David Clarkson (which would actually be great for Clarkson). Considering that if Zajac isn't used as a top 6 forward, this would be a pretty good way to utilize Zajac's offensive abilities.
Why it wouldn't work: The question is, who takes those extra defensive zone starts Zajac would normally take? It would be somewhat counter-productive to use your top offensive line in defensive zone, so that would likely mean Kovalchuk (and his line) won't be taking those faceoffs. Does Patrik Elias and his 44.3% success rate or Dainius Zubrus and his 42.5% success rate take those defensive zone starts? And as long as Janssen or Boulton graces the 4th line. the 4th line isn't an option for those defensive zone starts.
Use Zajac in the defensive zone more often
Why it Would work: This point ties in with the previous point- the Devils don't have any centers who are good at faceoffs. Zajac has been consistently good at taking faceoffs- he's won over 50% of his draws over the last three seasons. The Devils could use Zajac to take more defensive zone starts so that either the Parise-Henrique-Kovalchuk line or the Sykora-Elias-Zubrus/Clarkson (sidenote: if Zajac's getting more D zone starts, it's probably better to let Clarkson play with Elias rather than Zubrus) get more offensive zone starts. Additionally, because Zajac is defensively sound, it's not like the Devils are using him in a role that he shouldn't be used in.
Why it Wouldn't work: The obvious problem here is that Zajac will score less if he's given less offensive zone starts- however that should be expected. Outside of that, I do not see any problems that seem problematic if he's used in the defensive zone.
What do you think?
These three scenarios are possiblities of how Zajac could be used. With that being said, how do you think Zajac should be utilized? Should he be inserted back into the top 6? Should he be given more offensive or defensive zone starts? Thanks for reading.
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Here's what I think.
Correct me if this sounds too ridiculous: But I would put Zajac centering the third line. I would move Zubrus to the fourth and send Josefson to Albany so he can grow more. I think JJ is going to be a good player, and a little more conditioning in Albany could do him a lot more then playing on the fourth line right now IMO. Alternatively, perhaps putting Josefson on the wing could help too.
This is what I was thinking, except I would move Zubrus back to wing, and drop Bernier to the 4th line with JJ and Palmieri (scratching the enforcer of the day). This might even work for PDB if Palmieri can take on the enforcer role after joining the fight club, as reported recently.
However, I read today that PDB likes that third line the way it is now, so I have a feeling he won’t want to break them up. If that’s the case, I’d put Zajac on the 2nd line and drop Sykora down to 4th line. I know he’s been tied to Elias most of the season, but he and JJ could be pretty productive. Either of these two scenarios helps give us a more viable 4th line
It is an interesting question though… I really have no idea what PDB will want to do.
Ponikarovsky, Zubrus and Bernier have generated some undeniable chemistry lately. They get pucks to the net, they’re physical in all areas of the ice, and they even score a few goals. They’re a dependable and responsible line and I think PDB is right to keep them together.
Check out The Crash Line Blog: www.thecrashline.com
Yeah, I agree with Alamoth on keeping the 3rd line together. I think the best option would be for Zajac to center the second line with Elias moving to LW. I don’t think Sykora has done anything to prove that he belongs on the second line. He might be better served with less minutes, plus it will give Josefson a little more skill to play with than what he has had.
Putting Sykora with Josefsson may give some stability to the fourth line, which it is sorely lacking. Replace Eric Boulton with Ryan Carter once he returns and they may be able to play more than 5 minutes a game.
Check out The Crash Line Blog: www.thecrashline.com
There will almost certainly be conditioning issues and/or lingering concerns about how the Achilles will hold up when he returns, in which case the best option would probably be to ease him back in on the third line.
If for whatever reason there aren’t or as he finds his legs and confidence, I say give him a shot on Elias’ wing, kick Sykora down to the fourth line and sit Boulton. He could be the designated face off guy on the line, reverting to winger responsibilities afterward, or at the very least a reliable option if Elias gets kicked out. He’s got a decent shot from the circles, can cycle well, plays a strong two-way game and can be a good passer. I see that as complementary to Elias’ skill set, and whoever played the other wing would benefit from playing with two play makers who have to be respected as legitimate scoring threats.
Or not, just a thought.
Sykora seems like a lost puppy on the ice without Patrik Elias. Splitting them up again would just see another drop in Sykora’s points and an increase in his PIM. I would keep those two guys together.
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Sykora hasn’t been much good with Elias either. Plus everyone is really good with Patrik Elias because he’s a really good player.
Driving Play - The Blog with Three First Lines
Those are both very good points. Down below I flip-flopped on this and agree to drop Sykora to the fourth line. Maybe the demotion will spark him to put up some more points and get less penalties.
Check out The Crash Line Blog: www.thecrashline.com
Why would Sykora get more points with the fourth line? The last time I checked, that fourth line has given us something like four points all season. I certainly don’t see an offensive explosion coming if the other wing on that line is Eric Boulton or Cam Janssen.
He’ll get time with Josefsson and Kovalchuk/Parise when they double-shift. Also, Eric Boulton isn’t a complete black hole in the NHL offensively. Coming into this season he has 27 career goals and 46 assists in 549 games. They’re awful numbers for sure, but a lot better than say, Vladimir Zharkov’s.
Check out The Crash Line Blog: www.thecrashline.com
I was referring to “more points” as in “more points than he’s putting up now with the 2nd line”.
Sure, he’s likely to be a better offensive option than all the guys currently in the mix to populate the 4th line. That being said, I don’t see how he possibly puts up more points skating with Josefson and a Winger To Be Named Later (and the limited minutes the 4th line gets) than he has with Elias and Zubrus/Clarkson (and the relatively robust playing time the 2nd line receives). Even if he gets favorable matchups against the lesser lights of another team, I don’t see how a substantial downgrade at playmaking center and a substantial downgrade in ice time would allow him to maintain the limited numbers he’s putting up now.
Lest you forget, the 4th line has done absolutely nothing this season. On the other hand, Patrik Elias is putting up roughly a point per night (even if a fair share of that is PP scoring with Parise and Kovalchuk on the ice).
Leave the top three lines alone. The first and second got us here, and the third line has become a beuatiful meaty monster. Zajac to the fourth as an option for doubleshifted forwards. While we’re on the subject of the fourth, I’d like to see Foster as a 7th D for PP duty, Zajac, +1 on the fourth line as a collection of interchangable parts for the playoffs.
I’m not going to lie to you. It felt good and I’m going to do whatever is in my power possible to stay there as long as I can. - Petr Sykora on playing on a line with Elias and Parise.
Time will tell
I am not even going to think about this right now. We have suffered so many injuries this year that thinking about what is going to happen in 3 weeks is unnecessary. I fully expect to be hit by at least one more key injury before the year ends. Zajac will be needed desperately at that point.
That’s the way it works. That is why depth is so important.
If they can stay healthy, here’s how I’d do it.
Parise-Henrique-Kovalchuk
Zubrus-Elias-Clarkson
Ponikarovsky-Zajac-Bernier
Sykora or Carter-Josefson-Palmieri
Sykora keeps getting worse and making poor decisions that are going to lead him to being booted out of the top 6. I like the momentum line but I think the hobbled Zajac can function fine there.
Driving Play - The Blog with Three First Lines
What about Zharkov? We’re trying to secure a playoff spot, not give the kid another chance he can play two-way hockey in the NHL. He’ll get his shot in training camp next season.
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He already proved he can play in the NHL, so much better than the guys already dressing for the team too.
And Kovalchuk speeds away, great moves, busting through, DID YOU SEE THAT?
I have a feeling that Zharkov got a very long look at by Jacques Lemaire, and that he saw something in Zharkov that PDB doesn’t see.
Check out The Crash Line Blog: www.thecrashline.com
I’m not going to pretend that Zharkov is in the rotation. If Albany gets eliminated from the playoffs and the Devils are in the playoffs, he might be one of the callups, but he quite honestly might not be.
Driving Play - The Blog with Three First Lines
Zharkov getting called up is a pipe dream at this point. Most of us would like to see him over Goon 1 and/or Goon 2 but it’s probably not going to happen this year, so I think it’s time to let it go.
Status quo.
Why though? What does Zharkov bring to the table right now that’s so valuable to the Devils that PDB should call him up and bench Eric Boulton?
Check out The Crash Line Blog: www.thecrashline.com
No one is confusing Zharkov for Wayne Gretzky here, but I think he is a good fit for an NHL fourth-liner and would keep play moving forward a heck of a lot better than Eric Boulton does.
Case in point:
Zharkov’s Corsi the past two years
Boulton’s Corsi this year
Now Corsi is by no means a perfect stat, but if those two numbers aren’t indicative of one player making a whole lot more positive things happen while he’s on the ice, then I don’t know what is.
Again, it’s all moot, anyway. Zharkov isn’t going anywhere this season.
Status quo.
Zharkov is not a physical player and would match poorly against opposing fourth lines. Guys like Shawn Thornton, Mike Rupp and Sean Courturier would just demolish Zharkov. If he doesn’t make it as a third liner with potential to crack a weak top six, Zharkov won’t make it in the NHL. He is not fourth line material.
Check out The Crash Line Blog: www.thecrashline.com
Janssen and Boulton are physical players and get matched poorly against those guys. Besides, Zharkov has faced those guys in the past, he’s had extended call-ups with the Devils in past seasons and has held more than his own against the opposing players’ fourth liners. I do agree that I don’t think he’ll be called up at this point so it’s a moot point, but I think Zharkov can certainly hang as a fourth liner.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
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by John Fischer on Feb 21, 2012 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
Good lines
But there’s still the question of whether PDB or LL favors a Janssen/Boulton on the 4th. The TG piece suggests Palmieri could adapt to take that role, but that’s speculative and may frankly be unnecessary as the role of the enforcer shrinks.
by Alan Wright on Feb 21, 2012 3:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I’d be flabbergasted if Janssen played in a playoff game.
Driving Play - The Blog with Three First Lines
Agreed, but what abt leading up to that? I guess it depends on when TZ returns.
by Alan Wright on Feb 21, 2012 4:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think this set of lines would work out for the best. Zajac can stay somewhat protected on the third line and still be involved as necessary. It also strengthens the top nine as Sykora’s really faded as of late. If, for some reason, they need to go bigger on that third line, DeBoer could move Zajac up a line and move Elias to left wing.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
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by John Fischer on Feb 21, 2012 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
Second Line
The top line should stay together for the next 10 years if I had it my way. Parise, Henrique and Kovalchuk have ignited the Devils’ offense in ways we haven’t seen since ZZ-Pops first took flight. Unfortunately there’s no room for Travis on the top line anymore.
The second line however could be his new home. As successful as Patrik Elias has been at center this season, he sucks at taking faceoffs. It’s okay. You can’t be good at everything and I’m happier that he’s good at passing, shooting and scoring goals. Zajac could really fill that void between Elias’s creativity and Clarkson’s grit (not unlike centering Parise and Langenbrunner perhaps?).
The third line needs to stay put. They’ve gelled into a successful shutdown line that can also forecheck strong and score timely goals. Poni-Zubrus-Bernier is the kind of third line most coaches dream of. The fourth line is atrocious. I don’t know that Sykora would be the answer to our 4th line woes, but he would probably be a vast improvement over the ever-rotating cadre of players from Albany.
Parise-Henrique-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Clarkson
Poni-Zubrus-Bernier
Boulton-Josefsson-Sykora
Also, no matter where Zajac ends up at evens, I think its safe to say he’ll see some amount of time on the PK, probably with Kovalchuk.
Here’s a question though. What are we gonna do with Ryan Carter? Is he Albany-bound?
Check out The Crash Line Blog: www.thecrashline.com
I completely agree with you besides having Boulton on the 4th line. I would rather see Carter, Zharkov, Palmieri, or Tedenby take his place.
While chasing a playoff spot I would take Boulton’s experience and locker room presence (or even Cam Janssen’s) over the combined experience of Carter/Zharkov/Palmieri/Tedenby. None of those four young players is in a position to be a difference maker come crunch time. If anything, they’ve all proved (except Carter) that they’re not capable yet of handling the pressure of the NHL.
The only one with any success was Palmieri, but that seems to have quickly waned. Boulton’s game has limited application, but he’s going to do what he does and what’s expected of him. The youth movement may have more talent and skill than Boulton but what they don’t have is experience and reliability.
As a coach, at crunch time, I want a player who knows what’s expected of him and is able to execute on those expectations consistently. I honestly think all DeBoer has been looking for all season is consistent dependability in his fourth line and he isn’t going to get it from anyone. Boulton has the most experience and is probably the most consistent of these players.
Check out The Crash Line Blog: www.thecrashline.com
You're right
I expect Boulton to be a liability whenever he’s on the ice and he rarely lets me down.
Status quo.
That’s the kind of consistency I’m talking about!
Check out The Crash Line Blog: www.thecrashline.com
Ryan Carter is not a “young pup”. He’s been in the League for several years, he’s already 28 years old, and he won a Cup with Anaheim in 2007.
This isn’t to say that Ryan Carter is a great player, or even the Second Coming of (name your favorite Bottom Six forward here). That being said, he has demonstrated more offensive capability than Eric Boulton this season, he can play center if you need him to, and he’s been trusted with some PK time. Unless you need the goon in the lineup, I think he’s at least an equal option with Boulton and probably a superior one.
Ryan Carter played all of 4 games in the 2006-07 playoffs for Anaheim and got his name on the cup that way. In his four NHL seasons leading up to this one (2007-2011) he played a total of 182 games, or 45 games per season. As far as experience goes he has almost as much as Rod Pelley (who he essentially replaced on our roster).
Check out The Crash Line Blog: www.thecrashline.com
Carter has had 20 games of playoff experience and his ATOI was 10 min. Boulton on the other hand has had 4 games of playoff experience and his team lost all 4 games.
You mean Eric Boulton logging more PIMs than minutes on the ice for the Thrashers in the 2007 playoffs isn’t something to be proud of?
(I’d use sarcasm font, but it doesn’t work properly with links.)
Here is the combo that they will need to go with
Parise – Henrique – Kovy
Elias – Zajac – Sykora
Poni – Zubrus – Clarkson
Boulton/Jans/ Carter – JJ – Bernier
This will be after Zajac is ready to go and isnt expierencing pain. There is no way he gets moved with Kovy and Parise I think because of the way they are playing but who knows? I really doubt that they move Henrique to a wing because we need that depth down the middle and Elias and Zubrus arent what I would consider depth because that isnt their natural position. Team looks great right now btw and GO DEVILS!!!
by CaramelCoveredXMas on Feb 21, 2012 4:36 PM EST reply actions
Travis' Return
In my opinion Pete DeBoer should leave the first three lines alone at this point of the season. The third line has only been together a short time and has contributed a few points. As they get more comfortable with each other their scoring should increase. Ponikarovsky and Zubrus are no duffs around a net, and Alex has shown a flare for timing his arrival at the goal with no coverage. The exploits of the “Crash Line” took time to develop so don’t judge these guys from what you’ve seen to date. They will get their time to shine in the post-season.
Travis will need to be eased back into the line-up, and so fourth line duty would be the best way (see Henrique’s return from the groin pull). I expect to see Cam and Eric sitting out the playoffs as more skilled players will make up this unit. Though Boulton is better than Janssen he doesn’t have the defensive skills that are needed in the post-season. Zajac, Josefson and Carter should be able to fill this role with Palms (if he can play aggressively as a power forward) as a a rotating member.
I think when travis comes back you ease him in while changing as little as possible. So to start out, line combos that look something like…
Parise – Henrique – Kovy
Sykora – Elias – Clarkson
Poni – Zubrus – Bernier
Josefson – Zajac – Boulton/Jannsen/Double shifted 1st liner
or
Parise – Henrique – Kovy
Sykora – Elias – Clarkson
Poni – Zajac – Zubrus
Boulton – Josefson – Bernier
Zubrus shifts back to his natural wing spot bernier drops to the 4th line to add depth there. Eventually if the whole team is healthy I’d like to see
Parise – Henrique – Kovy
Elias – Zajac – Clarkson
Poni – Zubrus – Bernier
Carter/Boulton – Josefson – Sykora
3 stacked lines to roll with a 4th that can eat around ten minutes a game and chip in a few goals here and there. Sykora can still get time on the PP to utilize his shot while playing fewer minutes overall and keeping him fresher. I believe some of his recent drop off has to do with his age and time off prior to this year and he could get a little more jump with a few less minutes.
I agree with these lines
Barring injuries or a major slump, I don’t think the 1st or 3rd lines will change the rest of the season. That leaves the 2nd line for TZ, and probably means diminished playing time for Sykora. We are still well over a week away from Travis’ return, and when he does return he will probably play more special teams and take some important faceoffs.
na-na-na-na HEY! You SUCK!!
lines
when healthy
parise-henrique-kovy
sykora-elias-clarkson
poni-zub-bernier
tedenby/carter-zajac-jj
the way the devils have performed there is no reason to switch anything up too much, however the fourth line besides for jj is not strong what so ever. With the line of zub,poni, and bernier, whats the point of the enforcers on the fourth line. I know there not called a checking line but they are big and physical, filling the role of enforcing. With zajac leading the fourth line he adds a lot of offense and you dont need to worry about his defense abilities. Zajac has good vision on the ice and could help jj be more productive. I would really like to see teddy get another chance, when he was with the devils earlier this season he didnt have any one to feed him the puck(clarkson wouldn’t give up the puck on the third line). I think teddy could really break out with a center like zajac anchoring the line, hopefully providing some scoring from the fourth line, which has not occurred this season
by Erich L. Steuer on Feb 22, 2012 2:24 PM EST reply actions
The 4th line only plays about 10 mins a game. I think Zajac would expect to play a lot more than that.
considering he hasn’t played all year it might not be such a bad thing (once playoffs come switch it around then)…plus with the pk and pp i think he would average more then a regular 4th liner
by Erich L. Steuer on Feb 23, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
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