Devils Draft Zacha

The New Jersey Devils took Pavel Zacha with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.  Zacha is, at least on paper, exactly what the Devils needed when it came to the draft. He is a big, tall center who can put up points.

In his first season in North America, Zacha had 34 points in 37 games — almost a point per game is not a bad average. You never know how or if those numbers will translate into the NHL, but he stays around that range, Zacha’s selection becomes an exceptional pick by the Devils.

NHL Central Scouting’s Chris Edwards had this to say about Zacha: “He’s got high-end skill and is an excellent competitor; he plays an excellent two-way game. He’s physical and solid on his skates and can separate guys from the puck.”

There’s no doubt big and physical centers are in in the NHL right now and the Devils seem to have a immense opportunity with this one. His ability to play both offense and defense will be good for a Devils team looking to build a new philosophy.

Best of all, Zacha is young (he was born in 1997), and what the Devils need most is to get younger on offense. Time will be the only way to tell if this is a good pick or not, but on draft night the Devils got what they came for in the first round.