Travis Zajac committed to Devils despite Maple Leafs trade talk
New Jersey Devils center Travis Zajac is well aware of the reports he's coveted by Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello.
It's on his current team, however, that he remains focused.
"It's part of the business," Zajac said Wednesday of the trade rumors, according to Rich Chere of NJ.com. "I don't know how much truth is behind any of that, but I'm committed to this team. I'm trying to get better and prove myself to the coaching staff here. I can be a player to help this team and get it going on the right direction."
It was Chere who first reported Lamoriello was talking to new Devils GM Ray Shero about Zajac's availability, although neither side has confirmed any such discussions took place.
Zajac's agent debunked the speculation Thursday:
Travis Zajac's agent, Kurt Overhardt kills trade rumour. "There is absolutely no truth to media speculation of Travis Zajac being traded."
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 1, 2015
While he's coming off one of the least successful campaigns of his career - with only 11 goals and 14 assists in 74 games - Zajac scored two goals in Wednesday's preseason game against Philadelphia, a sign he's adjusting well under new head coach John Hynes.
"I think I've gotten a little better every game," he said. "It's a new system for everybody. It's a lot more of a transition game and coming back and trying to get speed behind the puck and behind the play. I think that's going to make us a better team."
Zajac, 30, is entering the third season of an eight-year, $46-million contract he signed when Lamoriello was the Devils' GM.