New Jersey Devils: What To Do With Pavel Zacha
By Nick Villano
Keep Rotating Him In And Out Of The Lineup
Maybe head coach John Hynes is on to something here. Zacha would be a very good player to rotate into the lineup when the Devils need a spark. While in years past we’ve had to rely on the Stephen Giontas and Cam Janssens of the world to rotate in, now the Devils could have one of the most talented 20 year olds this system has had in years.
Zacha could help with the offense when it was struggling, or he could fit in as a center if the Devils are dealing with any nagging injuries. Sure, keeping him in the box for multiple games in a row is not ideal, but sometimes players are motivated by things that don’t make sense on paper.
This can work in the long run. We all have to realize that Zacha is still just 20 years old. If he can figure out his issues on the NHL level, it would be best for everyone. Right now, the Devils are fighting tooth and nail to stay competitive in the Metropolitan Division. The team can’t afford to have him making mistakes in games that could cost them crucial points. Here, he could figure out those mistakes in practice and work his way back into the lineup.