6 Early Trade Landing Spots for Pavel Zacha Amid NHL Rumors

The Boston Bruins' struggles last fall sparked trade speculation about Pavel Zacha, who'd been a fixture in the rumor mill during the summer of 2025.

After missing the 2025 playoffs, the retooling Bruins were expected to be sellers in the trade market if they continued to stumble in 2025-26, with Zacha a prime trade chip. By November, the rumors had reached the point where we were listing possible landing spots for the talented two-way center.

However, the Bruins overcame their early difficulties and clinched a wild-card berth with 100 points. Zacha played a key role, netting a career-high 30 goals and 65 points.

Zacha is in the final season of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $4.8 million. He also has an eight-team no-trade list and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency next July.

On Sept. 15, Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald reported that it remained uncertain whether Zacha would get a contract extension. Shortly afterward, general manager Don Sweeney stated that talks between the two sides were ongoing and that he had had good dialogue with the center's agent.

Zacha will start this season in Boston. However, playoff contenders will monitor his contract status, especially if the Bruins are out of the postseason race by the March 1 trade deadline. Here are six teams that could be in the market for a center like Zacha.

Buffalo Sabres

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After 14 long seasons, the Buffalo Sabres ended their record-setting playoff drought by topping the Atlantic Division last season. After coming within a Game 7 overtime goal of reaching the Eastern Conference Final, they're hungry to build on last season's promising performance.

Tage Thompson could remain their first-line center, but he played on the wing at times last season and could again if Josh Norris centers that line. However, Norris has an injury history and Buffalo might need another seasoned center if Norris is sidelined again.

Pavel Zacha could be an attractive rental option for the Sabres if younger options like Noah Östlund, Jiri Kulich, or Konsta Helenius aren't ready for the role. His experience could be as invaluable to the Sabres as his versatility and two-way skills.

The Sabres have plenty of promising youngsters on their roster and within their system to make an enticing offer to the Bruins. If they're only interested in Zacha as a rental, they could instead pitch a couple of draft picks, including a first-rounder, depending on what other clubs are offering.

Los Angeles Kings

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The retirement of former captain Anze Kopitar leaves a void at center on the Los Angeles Kings' top two lines. Quinton Byfield is expected to fill the first-line role, with Erik Haula and Scott Laughton as middle-six centers. Daily Faceoff has winger Adrian Kempe penciled into the first-line role.

If Byfield or Kempe struggles on the first line, or if Haula and Laughton can't suitably fill the second-line role, the Kings could be in the market for a center, with Pavel Zacha as an attractive trade target if available.

Zacha's two-way skills would make him a solid short-term option as the Kings' first-line center. If Byfield is fulfilling that role, Zacha could easily fill the second-line position, where he's best suited.

It could cost the Kings a first-round pick and one of their top prospects to acquire Zacha as a playoff rental if he's on pace for another 30-goal, 60-point season. If they hope to re-sign Zacha, the asking price could include a young roster player.

Minnesota Wild

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It's no secret that the Minnesota Wild were in the market for a centerman this summer. Trade rumors linked them to Dylan Larkin after reports that the Detroit Red Wings center had requested a trade. The Wild were reportedly on his three-team trade list.

However, the Wild weren't willing to part with winger Matt Boldy for Larkin. Unless that asking price changes, they'll have to consider other options, such as Pavel Zacha.

The Wild are currently using the versatile Ryan Hartman as their first-line center, but he's more suited as a middle-six winger. They need an elite first-line center to skate between Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov, but Zacha would be a good upgrade as a playoff rental, and they could re-sign him if he performs well.

After parting with three young players to acquire Quinn Hughes last season, the Wild are a little thin on prospects. The Bruins' asking price could include promising center Charlie Stramel or a young forward like Danila Yurov.

Montréal Canadiens

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Trades between the Boston Bruins and the Montréal Canadiens are rare, given the long-standing rivalry between these Original Six franchises. However, it's not out of the question for the Canadiens to land Zacha if the Bruins are out of playoff contention by the March 1 trade deadline.

The Canadiens are a rising force in the Eastern Conference. NHL.com's Dan Rosen has them at the top of his list of this season's Stanley Cup contenders. However, they lack an experienced two-way center to skate on their second line between young stars Ivan Demikov and Juraj Slafkovský.

On June 18, Arpon Basu of The Athletic suggested that Zacha would be a great fit to center the Canadiens' second line. However, his UFA eligibility next July could limit what they would offer the Bruins in a trade. He also suggested another hurdle would be what Zacha would want on his next contract.

Still, Montréal could make a pitch if Zacha becomes available. The Canadiens could part with a first-rounder as part of the return if he's willing to sign a reasonable extension. They can also draw on the considerable depth of their promising young roster players and prospects as trade bait.

Nashville Predators

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On June 2, the Nashville Predators hired Chris MacFarland as their new president of hockey operations and general manager. The former GM of the Colorado Avalanche has been busy in the trade market, attempting to retool the Predators' roster.

MacFarland could be looking for a center for his top two lines this season, especially if the Predators are in the postseason hunt by the March 1 trade deadline. They will need a potential replacement for 36-year-old Ryan O'Reilly, who is UFA-eligible on July 1.

Having already acquired promising Mavrik Bourque in June, MacFarland could make a pitch for Pavel Zacha. He would be a reasonable short-term option to replace O'Reilly until a more suitable first-line center is found

The Predators have plenty of extra draft picks to use as trade capital, including a conditional 2028 first-round pick from the Colorado Avalanche. Depending on the Bruins' asking price, they could also add a prospect like David Edstrom or Reid Schaefer.

Vegas Golden Knights

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Despite barely making the playoffs last season, the Vegas Golden Knights surprised experts by reaching the Stanley Cup Final, including an impressive sweep of the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final.

However, center William Karlsson's wrist injury in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final contributed to their series loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Given the 33-year-old Karlsson's injury history, the ever-opportunistic Golden Knights could pursue an experienced top-six center like Pavel Zacha.

Zacha could comfortably fill that second-line center role for the Golden Knights. He could also drop into the third-line role if Tomas Hertl were moved up, or move to the wing if necessary.

Salary cap space and limited trade capital could make it difficult for the Golden Knights to outbid other teams for Zacha. Nevertheless, we cannot dismiss their creativity in finding ways to land players they want by the trade deadline.

Stats via NHL.com, line combinations via Daily Faceoff, and contract info via PuckPedia.