Travis Zajac Should Be New Jersey Devils Emergency Goalie
By Ken Jones
- Coach John Hynes is using Travis Zajac in every possible situation, despite some questionable performance statistics. Should he consider Zajac as the Devils’ Emergency Goalie?
David Letterman used to offer nightly Top Ten Lists for virtually every possible situation relating to the world as we knew it during his day. In Mr. Letterman’s spirit, I offer my Top Ten List for why the Devils might want to consider using Travis Zajac as the team’s emergency goalie.
Number 10
Zajac logs an incredible amount of minutes on the penalty kill. Coach Hynes must think he’s great at blocking shots.
Number 9
The Devils have a storied history of netminders with outstanding puck skills. Travis’ amazing passing abilities, those resulting in two assists thus far this year, are far superior to those of either Keith Kindaid or Cory Schneider. A huge upgrade in this area.
Travis Zajac’s ice time needs to be reduced.
Number 8
Travis seems to start every penalty kill, power play and overtime. Designating him as the emergency goalie is a natural extension of what seems to be the goal of having him on the ice at all times in every possible situation.
Number 7
It’s got to be a real hassle printing up a jersey with a 65 on it with virtually no notice. Using an existing sweater must be a lot easier for the club’s equipment manager.
Number 6
It probably would not be all that hard to find a second line forward who could rack up more than two assists in thirty two games. If Jiri Tlusty is available, perhaps the Devils could plug in him, he had two assists in only thirty games in 2015-16. Unfortunately, Brian O’Neill is on the Olympic team and unavailable, for he racked up two assists that same year in only twenty-two games. Downright prolific compared to #19.
Number 5
Zajac seems to have a great understanding of goaltender positional play. As proof, I offer the fact that he is the all-time Devils team leader in shots blasted into the insignia of the opposing netminder. Surely, he’d be able to use that exceptional talent to position himself well between the pipes.
Number 4
We could use the slot vacated by Zajac to find a way to double-shift Taylor Hall. Impossible to see #9 play too many minutes. Plus, anytime you can use the phrase “slot vacated by Zajac”, that’s a good thing!
Number 3
Travis is a smart guy who chose college over juniors and has a good hockey IQ. Spending some time in the crease might better prepare him for a future in coaching.
Number 2
The Devils front office would benefit greatly from this move. Appointing Zajac to this role would hopefully end the days of using front office staff from the Accounting Department to mind the net in practice. Could be hugely beneficial to the club’s financial bottom line.
Number 1
And, the number 1 reason to use Travis Zajac as the New Jersey Devils’ emergency goalie is this……..
It reduces his ice time!
Do we really need to see Zajac average more time on ice than Nico Hischier, Kyle Palmieri or Jesper Bratt? I don’t think so. He has seven points in thirty two games. Enough already!
This article is obviously a parody. But, there is a point to it. Hopefully Coach Hynes starts to see the same things many of us loyal fans do. Let’s Go Devils!!!