New Jersey Devils: Worries About Pavel Zacha’s Visa Issues
The New Jersey Devils finally got a contract done with center Pavel Zacha right before training camp started, but because of immigration issues, he hasn’t been able to start his season.
It was an interesting journey to get Pavel Zacha signed. There was a threat to leave for the KHL, and then almost immediately he signed a three-year deal with the New Jersey Devils. Unfortunately, since Zacha is a citizen of the Czech Republic, and he wasn’t technically working in the United States, he’s now having issues with his visa.
Usually, it isn’t hard for athletes to get work visas to play overseas. It becomes pretty clear why they are in the country, and the worries about staying for a nefarious nature usually don’t exist. This should be cleared up quickly. At least, we hope.
What if this doesn’t get cleared up? According to friend of the blog Chris Ryan, he says the New Jersey Devils don’t expect this to last more than a few days, which sounds good, but he’s missing some crucial practice time and preseason games. Zacha says he’s been working hard over the offseason, but there’s important chemistry he needs to build.
After the Devils signed Zacha, they floated the idea he could play center or wing. They desperately need to play around with lines to see where Zacha ends up. Is he a true option to play on the second line with Jack Hughes and Nikita Gusev? Could he play as a shutdown line with Travis Zajac and Blake Coleman? Is his best place really on the fourth line, or should they move him to give Kevin Rooney a shot?
Next. Pavel Zacha Is Vital To New Jersey Devils. dark
These are important questions that we need answered quickly. We need Zacha in camp. Last year, it took Miles Wood a long time to gain new chemistry after he missed most of training camp and the preseason. Zacha might need it even more. The Devils have a lot of new players, and a boatload of expectations. They can’t afford to have anyone at less than their full potential. Hopefully, the Devils and Zacha can figure out these immigrations issues sooner rather than later.