Agent for Devils prospect Pavel Zacha: 'No bad blood' in contract negotiations

Pavel Zacha remains unsigned, and if the forward doesn't come to an agreement with the New Jersey Devils soon, he'll lose any chance of playing in the NHL next season.

From Tom Gulitti of The Record:

As part of the agreement between the NHL and the European professional leagues, any 2015 draft pick under contract with a European club had to be signed by 5 p.m. on July 15. With Zacha contractually committed to Liberec in the Czech Republic's Extraliga for 2015-16, it remains unclear how the Devils and Stefan missed that deadline.

The Devils must now pay a $100,000 transfer fee directly to Liberec to extend the deadline to 5 p.m. on Aug. 15. If Zacha isn't signed by then, however, he cannot play in the NHL before the 2016-17 season.

Zacha, 18, was the sixth overall selection in the 2015 NHL Draft and is eligible to receive a standard three-year entry-level contract, although Gulitti reports the holdup in a contract being signed could be due in part to Zacha's agent, Patrik Stefan, seeking more money via Schedule A bonuses for his client.

It can be more complicated figuring out the breakdown of the A bonuses, which can be given out for meeting statistical thresholds such as ice time (top six among forwards on team - minimum of 42 regular season games), goals (at least 20), assists (at least 35), points (at least 60), points per game (0.73) and plus-minus (top three among forwards) as well as for receiving honors such as being named to the end of season all-rookie team, being picked to play in the all-star game or winning the all-star game MVP.

Gulitti also writes that there may have been miscommunication or disagreements between Stefan and Devils general manager Ray Shero that led to the July 15 deadline being missed, although Stefan will only say he's interested in securing the best possible deal for his client.

"So, it's not easy or something that can be done overnight or very quick," Stefan said. "I'm trying to get the right deal for Pavel and I'm sure New Jersey is trying to do the same thing for themselves, for the team. There is no bad blood. If we can get it done, hopefully he can play (in the NHL) next year. I think he has a very good chance, but, unless he signs a contract, it's not possible."

If Zacha is not signed by the Aug. 15 deadline, he'll likely return to junior hockey for another season. He scored 16 goals and added 18 assists in 37 games for the OHL's Sarnia Sting last year.