By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
In the 2022 National Hockey League offseason, the Boston Bruins acquired forward Pavel Zacha from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Erik Haula. Zacha has recorded 220 points in 320 games since joining Boston. Now, in September 2026, Zacha is set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, having not signed a new contract extension. Steve Conroy of the Boston Globe reported on Sept. 15 that Zacha’s chances of earning a new contract from the Bruins remain uncertain.
Zacha’s AAV for the 2026-27 NHL season is $4.75 million, but after his career highs of 30 goals and 65 points last season, he’s set himself up for a huge pay raise in his new contract. While the Bruins made the playoffs last season with 100 points, a loaded Eastern Conference could mean they miss the playoffs in 2027. Earlier today, Bleacher Report’s Lyle Richardson wrote an article titled “6 Early Landing Spots for Pavel Zacha Amid NHL Rumors.” Richardson named six teams that could be in the market to trade for Zacha if the Bruins are out of the playoff picture by March 2027.
Two of the six teams Richardson named may not make sense as a landing spot for Zacha: the Buffalo Sabers and the Montreal Canadiens. First, trading Zacha to an Atlantic Division rival makes no sense, especially the Bruins’ biggest rival, the Canadiens. Unless the return is too good to pass up, trading Zacha in-division gives him a chance to get back at the Bruins for trading him away. If one of the two teams makes more sense, it would be Buffalo, as they may not be as good as last year and may not repeat as division champions. Buffalo lost depth this offseason, and trading Zacha would strengthen them up front and improve the team; they also have solid prospects the Bruins could receive in return.
Another team Richardson mentioned is the Minnesota Wild as another landing spot for Zacha. This could make sense to add stronger depth up front with Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Joel Eriksson Ek. Still, the team lost Mats Zuccarello this offseason, and Vladimir Tarasenko still hasn’t signed with a team. However, the Wild have bigger concerns with defenseman Quinn Hughes. The Wild need to clarify their vision with Hughes before going after Zacha.
The Nashville Predators were another team Richardson named as a landing spot. The Predators are in a tough spot after missing the playoffs the past two seasons and being in a tough Central Division. If the Predators want to contend, trading for Zacha before the season starts may be better than waiting to see what the team could look like in March near the trade deadline, as they may be out of playoff position. Trading for Zacha while being out of playoff contention wouldn’t make sense from a Predators standpoint.
The two other teams Richardson named as potential landing spots for Zacha are the Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights. These two teams may be the most ideal. The Kings may have been swept in the first round of the 2026 playoffs, but Artemi Panarin has a full season ahead, and trading for Zacha would add needed point production alongside Adrian Kempe.
As for the Golden Knights, they’re looking to retool after losing in the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals. The Golden Knights lacked offense in their last three Stanley Cup games, and that is where Zacha could’ve helped. With an already talented offense led by forwards Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner, adding Zacha would make the Golden Knights stronger offensively. Still, with the Golden Knights in Stanley Cup contention, the value the Bruins may receive in draft picks may not hold much weight in retrospect.
This past week, Zacha said he has been talking about a potential new contract and that his agent has recently been in talks with the Bruins. General manager Don Sweeney will have to decide whether to keep Zacha. At 29, Zacha showed last season that he can play at a high level.
Zacha’s season last year in Boston shouldn’t have gone unnoticed. Outside of Morgan Geekie, Zacha was the only other 30-goal scorer on the Bruins’ roster, and his 65 points were third on the team. There’s reason to believe Zacha can have another big season, but the Bruins will have to decide what to do with him this upcoming season.
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