If injury equals opportunity, then the Devils unfortunately are finding more space for their youngsters.
Alternate captain Travis Zajac will be out four to six months after having surgery on a torn left pectoral, it was announced Thursday.
The injury occurred this past week while Zajac was doing his offseason training, and it leaves the Devils with a gaping hole at center.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Jonathan L. Glashow, the Devils’ chief medical officer.
The Devils have missed the playoffs each of the past five seasons and ended up with the first-overall selection in the draft in June. They took Swiss forward Nico Hischier, who general manager Ray Shero said is going to have “every opportunity” to make the team out of training camp in September.
This is also a big opening for 2015 No. 6-overall pick, 20-year-old center Pavel Zacha, who played a lot of left wing last season and had eight goals and 16 assists in 70 games. Without a clear-cut first-line pivot, Zacha is likely to get a shot to play with talented winger Taylor Hall or Marcus Johansson, who was acquired in the offseason from the Capitals. Johansson also could shift to center.
The injury could also prompt Shero to look into a trade before the season starts, hoping to improve the very young group up front. The most attractive target would be Avalanche center Matt Duchene, but the asking price has been astronomically high since it became clear that Duchene was on the market.