If there’s one thing clear for the Montreal Canadiens this postseason, it’s that they are in the market for a second-line center. Not that GM Kent Hughes hasn’t tried to plug that hole since his arrival, but both Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook have failed to live up to expectations so far. The solution for the Habs might be closer than one would have thought..
There have been rumblings recently that the Boston Bruins may be testing the water to see what their top-line center, Pavel Zacha, could fetch in a trade, and the pivot may be what the Canadiens need. The sixth overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft started his career with the New Jersey Devils and spent seven seasons in the organization without truly breaking out. However, when he moved to Boston, his production exploded.
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In his first two seasons in Beantown, Zacha recorded 57 and 59 points, pretty high totals for a player who had never registered more than 36 points in the NHL. Last season, his production dipped to 47 points, but considering the Bruins plummeted in the standings to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016, that was to be expected. The versatile pivot had two years left on a more than reasonable contract with a $4.75 M cap hit.
Zacha has proven that he can be an offensive threat, especially when paired with highly talented players. The Canadiens currently have a vacancy to play alongside highly talented rookie Ivan Demidov and Finnish sniper Patrik Laine. That’s a lot of talent on one line. At 28 years old, he’s not too old to fit in with the Canadiens’ plan. He could help them achieve results in the short term, and in two years, if he decides to move, Michael Hage will have matured and turned pro (hopefully) with a year of AHL hockey under his belt.
Judging by Don Sweeney’s moves at the trade deadline, significant changes could be coming to Boston. You don’t trade your captain for futures, even if he is on an expiring deal, if you think you can be competitive the following season. After saying goodbye to Patrice Bergeron two seasons ago, the Bruins' faithful had to bid farewell to Brad Marchand this Spring, and it truly feels like the end of an era for the Massachusetts outfit.
Missing the playoffs must have been a wake-up call for the Bruins' GM. Suppose Hughes can put together an attractive package. In that case, we could see a rare deal between Atlantic Division rivals—a first since the Canadiens sent defenseman Eric Weinrich to the Bruins for Patrick Traverse in 2001. The lack of deals between the two sides is not exactly surprising; they play in the same division, and the Habs burn the Bs badly with the Ken Dryden trade in 1964.
If Sweeney is genuinely looking for a rebuild, one of the Canadiens’ two first-round picks could become quite attractive. The Habs also have a cupboard full of intriguing prospects, and Hughes would probably be amenable to moving some if he believes that would settle the organization’s most pressing need.
Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
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