The Bruins may be heading into training camp with Pavel Zacha still very much in the picture, but his standing on one trade list has shifted noticeably.
Back in August, Bleacher Report placed Zacha at No. 6 on its Updated NHL Trade Targets Big Board for August 2026. When the outlet refreshed the list for September 2026, he slid six spots to No. 12 on the board, which was provided by Lyle Richardson.
That drop comes as Zacha enters the final year of his contract, one that carries an AAV of $4.75 million. That alone makes him an appealing name for other teams, especially with the ongoing league-wide demand for centers.
It also makes him a player the Bruins will have to handle carefully, because a payday is coming one way or another. The path is either an extension in Boston or a trade, and if he is moved, it would likely happen before the trade deadline during the upcoming season.
For now, the expectation is that Zacha opens the year as the Bruins’ first-line center, lining up between JJ Peterka and David Pastrnak. That setup could change, but only if Fraser Minten makes a major jump or Elias Lindholm arrives in camp and plays like the $7.75 million player he is being paid to be. The source material makes clear that both outcomes are unlikely.
There were rumors for a second straight summer that the Bruins were at least taking calls on Zacha, but that is not the same thing as actually moving him. The distinction matters, even if his trade value is viewed as higher than ever.
Boston and general manager Don Sweeney have a real decision to make here, and the next few months will tell whether Zacha remains part of the long-term plan or becomes one of the tougher calls on the roster. If nothing gets done before the season begins, the situation could turn into a distraction as the year rolls on.
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