By: Mark Allred | Follow me on Twitter @BlackAndGold277
Earlier today, longtime Boston Herald B’s beat writer Steve Conroy tweeted below that restricted free agent forward Pavel Zacha is in contract negotiations, and a deal could be finalized soon. The 25-year-old Zacha was traded to the National Hockey League Boston Bruins for versatile forward Erik Haula, who only spent one season with the Bruins organization.
Zacha’s previous three-year deal with the New Jersey Devils carried over his RFA status, bringing along his current arbitration rights. I know that’s troubling for some Bruins fans and the Don Sweeney haters, but this arbitration hearing was not on him. If an NHL organization wants a specific player, you must deal with some hurdles like these. This was not a surprise or, in any way, to stick it to the Bruins team.
With agent Darren Ferris seemingly gravitating to a new contract getting done soon, it starts the speculation of when and who departs from the capable Bruins roster. Not only make room for the newcomer Zacha, but also longtime B’s veteran forwards Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. As seen in Steve Conroy’s tweet above, there’s a lot going on. Ferris, who represents current Bruins forwards Taylor Hall and recently re-signed Jack Studnicka, has certainly been busy with the 2022 NHL off-season.
Bruins General Manager must have some kind of trade up his leave to clear enough space for three players to be inserted into the lineup to be cap compliant. It should be interesting where this cap availability comes from, but in my opinion, it should come outside the crease, and a harder look should be done at some defensive and forward members who haven’t exactly pulled their weight defensively or offensively.
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