One of the bigger questions hanging over the Bruins is Pavel Zacha’s future, and it has become a real decision point for Don Sweeney. Zacha is in the final year of his contract, which means he is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer unless something changes before then. The two obvious paths are an extension in Boston or a trade, and if the Bruins do keep him, the money could get tricky fast.
For now, though, Zacha is still under contract, and that matters. Ryan Dixon of Sportsnet included him among eight free agents who could reach the market, even if the more likely outcome is that he never actually gets there. If Boston moves him, the expectation is that he would either sign long-term with his new team or be dealt before that point.
The Bruins have gotten plenty out of the deal that brought Zacha to Boston in the summer of 2022, when Sweeney sent Erik Haula the other way in a straight-up swap. Boston came out ahead on that one, no matter how the rest of Zacha’s tenure unfolds.
Figuring out the next contract is where things get complicated. As Dixon wrote, "From the team perspective, it’s a tricky time to negotiate a potential extension for Zacha because he blew past his previous career-best of 21 goals to pop 30 last year as part of a strong 65-point showing,''
That kind of production is exactly why Zacha matters so much to the Bruins. He has settled in as a top-six center, and there’s an argument to be made that he’s their best center right now. If Sweeney had real interest in moving him, it seems like that move would have already happened.
So the likeliest outcome is an extension, either before the season or during it. Boston letting this drift all the way to July 1 next summer would be a surprise.
The safer bet is that Zacha stays in black and gold on a long-term deal, which would also keep David Pastrnak happy. And if you’re Sweeney and the Bruins, that part tends to matter.
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Even his first brush with NHL life delivered the kind of detail that makes a prospect feel instantly relatable. In ESPNs rookie roundtable, Hagens said his first paycheck went to food, specifically Chipotle, a harmless and almost perfect answer for a player still adjusting to life as a pro. It is a small moment, but for Bruins followers looking for a first impression, it fits neatly with the idea of a young player who seems comfortable, grounded and easy to root for. [Read more 🡒]
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Providence coach Trent Whitfield has been especially vocal in backing DiPietro, and the organizational sentiment around him has only grown after his recent AHL performances. The Bruins do not need him to become a savior, just a viable backup option who can handle the job if called upon, and now he finally appears to have a real chance to show he belongs in that role. [Read more 🡒]