Is Zajac Fighting Clarkson For A Little Piece Of My Heart?

by Carlos Figueiredo
I love all of the Devils players like a heavy set younger person loves chocolate cake (I’m trying to be PC). Really, I do love them all. ..except for maybe Zubrus. But he’s been playing well early on, so he gets to share in the bromance this early in the season. But I am concentrating on two players right now. David Clarkson and Travis Zajac.

Of course, anyone who has read any of my previews for this upcoming season (and if you didn’t, shame on you!), or knows me in general, knows of my feelings towards Clarkson. I think he is a key player for the Devils this season. He is getting playing time on special teams and has looked like the best player on the ice at times. He also wears number 23, which helps erase the memory of the mess that wore it before him. Advantage: Clarkson

But then along comes Zajac this season. Of course, he scored that goal in the playoffs against Carolina last season. We all remember it. That helps his case. This season he’s gotten off to a great start, leading the team in goals (3) and tied for the team lead in points (5). The player he is tied with in points? You guessed it, David Clarkson. Advantage: Even

Zajac also leads the team in power-play goals with two. Clarkson has one. His one, though, was the game-winner against Florida. Zajac scored the game-tying goal against Tampa Bay with 0.7 seconds left in the game, which looked very much like last season’s playoff goal. Clarkson scored not only the game-winning PPG against FLA, but the game-tying goal against Washington on Monday night. He will also drop the gloves when needed, which adds that extra dimension to his game. Advantage: Clarkson

Every time the game is close at the end, and Zajac is on the ice, you just expect him to put the puck in the net. He is turning into that type of player. But we’ve also seen that type of play from Clarkson lately. Advantage: Zajac

What all of this means is that these are two of the players you want on the ice when the game is on the line. They have both shown, at least so far this season, that they can be counted on to be clutch players. They are exciting players to watch. It makes it even nicer that they both came up through the system, Zajac being the Devils 1st round pick (20th overall) in the 2004 draft. Clarkson was signed as a free agent from the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL in 2005. Another added bonus? Zajac is 24 years old, Clarkson is 25. We should, hopefully, see them in Devils sweaters for a few years to come.

In the end, Zach Parise will likely lead the team in points and goals. He is the best player on the team. But Zajac might score some of the most important goals this season. Clarkson might pound some guy’s face in, sit in the box for five minutes, then come out on his next shift and score a power-play goal.

The verdict? Clarkson is still my favorite Devil. But I would be looking over my shoulder, Clarky. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear, and that object is Travis Zajac.

LET’S GO DEVILS! 

Tags: David Clarkson, New Jersey Devils, NHL, Travis Zajac, Zach Parise