Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha could be on the move this summer. According to the Fourth Period, the Bruins are looking at what offers may be out there for the 28-year-old center.
The Fourth Period listed Zacha on its 2025 Summer Trade Watch List amid rumors from earlier this season, purportedly stating that the Bruins were looking to ship out Zacha at the trade deadline.
It’s worth mentioning that the Boston Bruins cleaned house this past season, trading players like captain Brad Marchand, Brandon Carlo, and Trent Frederic.
The Bruins most likely did not get an offer to their liking, judging from the fact that Zacha is still on the team. Things could change this summer as teams look to reload. However, Zacha does come with a bit of a high price tag.
The Czech native signed a four-year $19 million contract with the Boston Bruins in 2023 following seven seasons with the New Jersey Devils. Zacha posted 21 goals and 57 points in his first season in Beantown, following that up with a career-high 59 points last season.
Zacha’s production dipped this season, from 21 to 14 goals and 47 total points. The Bruins, who are not “rebuilding,” will want to move Zacha while he retains some market value.
What Could Boston Bruins Get for Pavel Zacha?
It’s unclear what the former first-round pick in the 2015 Draft could fetch as there are no teams listed as favorites. Depending on who chooses to take a chance on him, the return could be enticing.
Contenders may have a tough time putting in a solid offer for Zacha, given his cap hit. Most contenders are tight up against the cap. As such, the Bruins could net a decent return if the club retained about half of his $4.75 million cap hit for the next two seasons.
Even so, it’s doubtful Zacha gets Boston a first-round pick. Something more like a second-rounder could get the ball rolling. Perhaps the Bruins are looking at what the Toronto Maple Leafs paid for Scott Laughton at this year’s trade deadline.
If Zacha is not traded by or at the 2025 NHL Draft, he could sit all summer. The Bruins could then have an opportunity to move him as injuries and cuts occur during training camp this fall.
No-Trade Clause Could Get in the Way of Pavel Zacha Trade
Pavel Zacha has a ten-team no-trade clause. That makes it challenging to what the Boston Bruins can do in moving Zacha. However, that clause becomes an eight-team no-trade clause after July 1.
That situation means that the Bruins can try to trade Zacha from now until July 1, hoping to strike a deal with one of the teams not on Zacha’s list.
Otherwise, the Bruins may have to wait until after July 1 to get a deal done. The worst-case scenario at this point would be the Bruins having a deal in place with a team on Zacha’s list. That’s why the Bruins will be listening on Zacha to get a sense of what interest may be out there.
