Pavel Zacha

Tom Fitzgerald has some important decisions to make on certain players on the New Jersey Devils and where they fit in the next few months. One of those players is Pavel Zacha, who will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and one year of team control remaining until he is eligible for unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2023.

Zacha totaled a career-best 36 points thanks to 15 goals and 21 assists over 70 appearances in 2021-22. Despite the new personal scoring best, Zacha's season left a lot to be desired. He took a step back relative to his previous campaign, when Zacha needed only 50 appearances to rack up 17 goals and 35 points. The Devils will likely re-sign the restricted free agent this offseason and plug Zacha back into a middle-six role next year.

Zacha dished out two assists in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Hurricanes. After going two and a half months without a multi-point performance, Zacha has strung together two in a row. The 25-year-old Czech set a new career high with 36 points and will have an opportunity to add to that total in Friday's season finale against the Red Wings.

Zacha had a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Senators. Zacha had a helper in the second, then snapped a seven-game goal drought with his 15th goal of the season. This was his first multi-point performance since Feb. 8, but Zacha still has a chance to set a new career high in points. He's one point back of last year's career-best 35 with two games to play.

Zacha notched an assist, four shots on goal, two hits and two PIM in Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Kraken. Zacha set up a Jesper Boqvist tally at 16:14 of the first period. This was Zacha's third point in his last four games, a span in which he's also gone plus-3 with six hits. The 25-year-old forward has slipped a bit on offense this season -- he's at 31 points, 139 shots, 71 hits and 20 PIM in 63 contests this year after logging 35 points in 50 outings in 2020-21.

Zacha recorded an assist in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Avalanche. Zacha helped out on a Jesper Bratt goal in the third period. In six games since he returned from an upper-body injury, Zacha has a goal, an assist, 14 shots on net and four hits. The 25-year-old forward continues to play in a middle-six role as a solid two-way player. He's up to 30 points -- a mark he's reached in three straight seasons -- with 135 shots on net, 69 hits and a minus-17 rating in 62 contests.

Zacha (upper body) will play Sunday against the visiting Islanders, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports. Zacha is ready to rock after an eight-game injury absence. Seven points shy of his career-high 35 with about a month left in the season, the 24-year-old should have a good shot at setting a new personal best in his sixth full NHL campaign.

Zacha (upper body) won't play Saturday versus the Panthers, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports. Zacha will miss an eighth straight game with his upper-body injury. Another update on the 24-year-old forward, who's collected 28 points through 56 contests this season, should surface once he's cleared to rejoin the lineup.

Zacha (upper body) is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Bruins, Devils team reporter Catherine Bogart reports. Zacha is reportedly nearing a return, but he'll miss a seventh straight game with his upper-body injury. His next chance to return is Saturday versus the Panthers.

Zacha (upper body) will not play Sunday against Montreal but could return Thursday against Boston, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports. Zacha will miss his sixth consecutive game Sunday but he's nearing his return. The 24-year-old forward is averaging 16:45 of ice time with 28 points through 56 games this season.

Zacha (upper body) won't play Saturday versus the Capitals, Devils team reporter Catherine Bogart reports. Zacha will miss his fifth straight game with the injury, and he's probably questionable at best for Sunday's game versus the Canadiens. The Devils have yet to provide an update on Zacha's status, so it's unclear when he'll be able to return.

Zacha (upper body) is not expected to play Wednesday versus the Maple Leafs, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports. Zacha is set to miss his fourth game with the injury. A.J. Greer was called up from AHL Utica and will slot into a fourth-line role Wednesday. Zacha's next chance to play is Saturday versus the Capitals.

Zacha (upper body) is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Rangers, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports. With Zacha out, New Jersey will continue dressing seven defensemen. The 24-year-old has now missed three straight games and could miss a fourth straight when the Devils fave Toronto on Wednesday. He has 28 points through 56 games this season.

Zacha (upper body) won't play Saturday versus Edmonton, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports. Zacha will miss a second straight contest with an upper-body injury. The Devils may continue to roll with an 11 forward, seven defensemen lineup until Zacha is ready to return.

Zacha (upper body) is slated to miss Wednesday's clash with Calgary, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports. Zacha needs just two more points to reach the 30-point threshold for the third consecutive season. Without Zacha in the lineup, Jimmy Vesey or Nathan Bastian are the most likely candidates to step in third-line roles while Jesper Boqvist could see more minutes with the power play.

Zacha (undisclosed) exited Tuesday's game versus the Canucks. Zacha was hurt on his first shift of the game and needed some help to get to the locker room. The Devils didn't elaborate on the nature of his injury, and Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports he's doubtful to play Wednesday versus the Flames. If Zacha can't suit up, Mason Geertsen would likely enter the lineup.

Zacha (illness) is taking warmups ahead of Sunday's game against the Blues, which suggests that he's ready to return after sitting out Friday's 3-1 loss to the Rangers, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports. Zacha declared himself ready to play in Sunday's game after participating in practice Saturday,...

Zacha (illness) will not play Friday against the Rangers. Zacha has seven points over his last eight appearances, giving him 26 through 51 games this season. He'll be considered questionable for Sunday's tilt with the Blues. Mason Geertsen will slide into the lineup in his absence.

Zacha logged an assist, three shots on goal and two hits in Monday's 7-2 win over the Canucks. Zacha set up a Jesper Bratt goal in the second period. The 24-year-old Zacha hasn't scored in the last six games, but he's chipped in with four assists in that span. The Czech forward has 25 points, 111 shots on net, 61 hits and a minus-18 rating through 50 contests overall, regularly playing in a top-six role.

Rumours are continuing to swirl around the Vancouver Canucks. During Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek said that the Canucks are reportedly interested in New Jersey Devils centre Pavel Zacha. Here is what Marek said:. “There’s been a lot of talk since (Canucks President of...