Avs fan here. I'm curious how Zacha is developing. I haven't seen him play much but I know he hasn't produced at a high level yet. In the '15 draft I didn't think Rantanen would fall to 10 so Zacha was a guy I would've preferred at 10. Where is he at with his development and what is his ceiling at this point?

Lets do it

Jets counter with santeri virtanen and a 2nd

Zacha is a solid two way center with what now looks like a 3C ceiling. Very responsible in the d zone, great penalty killer, but points wise there's not much there. Towards the end of last year, he started to pick up the offense and showed some positive signs. But all in all, picked at number six with the guys left on the table behind him, not great.

However, with the luck the devils have had, he will be a very solid 3C as Hischier and Hughes have taken the 1-2 roles. If he can be used as a trade piece for a top four left D, I'd be all about it. Otherwise, he's a good piece to have on the team.

Not a devils fan but I feel Zacha would benefit from a move to wing as I don't see his playmaking developing so well. He's still a totally serviceable forward in the NHL but maybe he'd do best as a 3rd line winger?

Do the Blues trade tomorrow.

I am all for these trades, even if we take just a second for Sami. As to Zacha I think he will be a long term 3c that will be used to shut down other top lines. His defense has really improved. His scoring not so much but that might be helped by better line mates. I wouldn't trade him, you can't have super stars on every line and he is starting to fill a needed role.

I also see him possibly as a 3C under Hischier and Hughes, however my other thought would be to play him as a left wing on a line with Hughes and Gusev. Gives that line some size and two way responsibility.

I wouldn't have a problem at all with giving him a shot at wing. For now though, only if it were a second line wing spot with Hughes. Only so Zacha, like you similarly said can help Hughes get acclimated to the defensive side of the game.