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Zajac ‘not sure’ how Shero hire will affect future with Devils

By Mike HalfordMay 20, 2015, 5:33 PM EDT
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Like many of his Devils teammates, Travis Zajac doesn’t know what the future holds with Lou Lamoriello out and Ray Shero in as GM.

“To be honest, I’m not sure how I’ll be affected,” Zajac told NJ Advance Media. “I think I’m a very coachable player. Whatever they expect from me or want me to do, I’ll do whatever it takes to help this team in any way. I believe in this organization.

“I don’t see the change being too much of a problem for me. But with Ray, and when we get a new head coach, we’ll sit down and see what they expect from me. I have a lot to give still and I feel like I can still help this organization and this team.”

Zajac — who Lamoriello signed to an eight-year, $46 million extension in 2013 — has been something of a disappointment in recent campaigns and has yet to rediscover the form that saw him score 67 points in 82 games in 2009-10. Of course, that team featured the likes of Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk, a far cry from the offensively-challenged Devils of last season, when Zajac scored just 25 points.

To that end, he feels it’s important for Shero to add some talent that’ll help the team find the back of the net.

“We would all like to score more goals. There is no doubt about that,” he said. “We could use some help at some positions and hopefully we can get that. If not, everyone will have to elevate their game. I don’t think we’re far away from where we want to be, but you can always bring in pieces that can help.”

PHT Morning Skate: Henrik Sedin gives 700th assist puck to fan with Make-A-Wish

By Ryan DadounApr 10, 2015, 8:08 AM EDT
5 Comments

PHT’s Morning Skate takes a look around the world of hockey to see what’s happening and what we’ll be talking about around the NHL world and beyond.

Henrik Sedin gave his 700th assist milestone puck to Alex, who spent a day with the Vancouver Canucks with the help of Make-A-Wish:

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By helping the Florida Panthers beat the Boston Bruins on Thursday, Jaromir Jagr thinks he’s given Pittsburgh Penguins fans a reason to like him again. (Steve Goldstein)

Travis Zajac sees the criticism he’s been on the receiving end of as something that “comes with that territory.” Zajac, who agreed to a eight-year, $46 million deal in 2013, has 24 points in 73 games this season. (The Bergen Record)

Here are the highlights from St. Louis’ 2-1 win over Chicago:

Here are five things the Detroit Red Wings had working for them in their successful quest to clinch the playoffs for a 24th straight campaign. (NHL.com)

If the Ottawa Senators make the playoffs, then there will be five Canadian teams in the first round. That’s not a scenario many people would have predicted going into the 2014-15 campaign. (Toronto Sun)

Meanwhile the Edmonton Oilers are wrapping up a campaign that fans might wish they could forget. (Edmonton Journal)

Elias joins the 1,000 point club in Devils win over the Sabres

By Dhiren MahibanJan 6, 2015, 10:00 PM EDT

With the New Jersey Devils already leading 3-1, Patrik Elias setup Mike Cammalleri’s empty net goal giving him 1,000 career NHL points.

Elias becomes just the fifth Czech-born player to reach the 1,000 point mark. He is also the 82nd player in NHL history to reach the milestone.

Elias also had a goal in the win and setup Travis Zajac’s shorthanded marker.

Jordin Tootoo other Devils goal.

Mikhail Grigorenko had his first goal for the Sabres since Jan. 29, 2013.

Pens’ Johnston: ‘We probably got a good response from half of our group’

By Dhiren MahibanDec 30, 2014, 12:30 PM EDT
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have dropped four straight games and Mike Johnston has seen enough.

Following the Penguins 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils Monday, the Penguins rookie head coach called out his team.

“We need a response,” Johnston said per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “We need to squeeze more out of each individual. We probably got a good response from half of our group. We didn’t get a good response from the rest of them. We need to squeeze more out of guys. There’s more to give. We needed more guys pulling on the rope. We didn’t have enough.”

Pittsburgh opened the scoring on captain Sidney Crosby’s 11th of the season; however, it was all New Jersey after that.

Travis Zajac and Jaromir Jagr gave the Devils a 2-1 lead after two periods. Adam Henrique’s 10th of the season at 5:32 of the third stood to be the insurance marker.

Due to injury and illness the Penguins had eight players in their lineup Monday, who started the season in the American Hockey League. Despite dressing a young roster, Johnston expects more.

“When a guy comes up, the first two games, they’re on Cloud 9, playing with energy and adrenaline,” said Johnston. “But now, they’ve got to play heavy minutes against top guys. Some guys are responding well, and some guys aren’t.”

The Penguins will look to snap the skid Wednesday night when the Carolina Hurricanes visit Pittsburgh. The two teams have split the first two meetings this season with Carolina winning 4-2 in Pittsburgh on Nov. 28 and the Penguins edging the Canes 3-2 on Nov. 29 in Carolina.

PHT Morning Skate: Talented Auston Matthews motivating Arizona’s youth hockey movement

By Ryan DadounDec 30, 2014, 8:02 AM EDT
2 Comments

PHT’s Morning Skate takes a look around the world of hockey to see what’s happening and what we’ll be talking about around the NHL world and beyond.

Auston Matthews, who might be one of the top picks in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, is an inspiration both for those who think there’s a long-term future for hockey in Arizona and young players in the market as they have living proof that you can develop into a great hockey player while living in Arizona. (New York Times)

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Capitals goalie coach Mitch Korn is willing to go to extreme lengths to avoid being wasteful:

Puck Daddy ran down its Top 10 saves of 2014. (Puck Daddy)

Travis Zajac is hoping that new New Jersey Devils co-coach Adam Oates can help him bounce back from a season-long slump. The 29-year-old center took a step in the right direction last night with a goal and an assist against Pittsburgh. (The Bergen Record)

Here are the highlights from Boston’s 5-2 victory over Detroit:

The Edmonton Oilers got plenty of support from fans during their skills competition despite the gloomy state of the team. (Edmonton Sun)

The ECHL Kalamazoo Wings will be wearing these fancy jerseys on New Years Eve: