The biggest Bruins contract question right now is still Pavel Zacha.
On TSN’s “Insider Trading,” Chris Johnston said Zacha is a situation worth keeping an eye on as he heads into the final year of his deal without an extension and is on track for unrestricted free agency next summer. Boston would like to keep him, and talks have happened, but finding the right number has been the sticking point. Johnston noted that’s not just a Bruins problem - it’s part of a broader league-wide trend as contract values keep climbing.
Johnston also floated the possibility that, if nothing gets done during the season, Zacha could end up on the trade board as one of the few centers who can slot into a top-six role and might actually be available. That’s still down the road.
For now, the Bruins want to re-sign him, and Johnston said Zacha doesn’t seem in any hurry to force the issue and is focused on playing. The 29-year-old carries a $4.75MM cap hit and is coming off a career year with 30 goals and 65 points.
Elsewhere, Matt Poitras took another step back toward the Bruins’ lineup Thursday when he skated with the main group for the first time, according to Bruins writer Joe Haggerty. It’s a positive sign in his recovery from the lower-body injury that put him on injured reserve to start the season, but he was not part of line rushes.
Coach Marco Sturm also didn’t commit to Poitras joining the team’s road trip to Winnipeg and Minnesota, saying the 22-year-old still needs more practice reps first. Poitras, a 2022 second-round pick who signed a one-year, two-way deal last month, spent most of last season in Providence and put up 44 points in 69 games.
Providence also made a leadership move of its own, naming defenseman Billy Sweezey the 28th captain in franchise history. Sweezey, 30, joined the organization in 2024 and quickly became part of the leadership group.
The Hanson, Massachusetts native is entering his seventh pro season after posting career highs with 16 assists and 17 points for Providence last year. He has also appeared in nine NHL games, all with Columbus.
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Elias Lindholm, Sean Kuraly and James Hagens were among the players whose games drew the most scrutiny, and the next two matchups against Winnipeg and Minnesota now carry a little extra weight. Marco Sturm has never been shy about making an early-season benching if he thinks it will send the right message, so a few more uneven shifts could turn this from a first-game wobble into a very real roster conversation. [Read more 🡒]