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Devils' Shero on Zacha contract: 'I'm going to work on it this week'

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports / USA TODAY Sports

The clock on 2015 draft pick Pavel Zacha's signing period is ticking, but New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero believes the two sides will come to an agreement soon.

"I'm going to work on it this week. I believe, hopefully, we'll get it done," Shero told NJ.com's Rich Chere. "This is all bonus-related with these top players."

The team has until the Aug. 15 to sign the 18-year-old to an entry-level contract, or he will be ineligible to play in the upcoming season. Though both sides appear to have agreed on the forward's base salary, the bonus-related incentives seem to be causing a roadblock in negotiations.

"It's a no-brainer if you look at the top picks in the draft every year," Zacha's agent, Patrik Stefan, said. "They get the max (in salary). The bonuses are what change for each player.

"It's a little unique situation when you look at New Jersey because the Devils haven't given out any bonuses, I believe, ever. Maybe people look at it as a slam dunk that should have been done two days after the draft, but every negotiation is unique in some ways."

Saturday it was announced that Zacha would miss the Czech Republic's World Junior evaluation camp as an injury precaution.

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