The Boston Bruins may soon have to make a call on Pavel Zacha that gets more complicated by the week. Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports that while Boston would be open to an extension at the right price, the veteran center’s contract situation could become a tricky one as his unrestricted free agency looms in 2027.
Zacha carries a $4.75 million cap hit, and Johnston noted that there is a figure the Bruins would be comfortable with on a new deal. The problem, as he put it, is the direction of the market.
“There’s a number at which the Bruins would be happy to sign Zacha to a contract extension before he’s due to hit free agency next summer. However, with the market shifting leverage in favor of players, it’s becoming tougher to see the sides finding alignment on a new deal.
That could leave Boston in a fascinating position with Zacha as this season goes on.”
That leaves Boston weighing its options while the team has gotten out to a competitive start. The Bruins are not locked into a true win-now path, which means management could be forced to choose between keeping Zacha for a push or moving him before the situation gets messier.
In Detroit, Dylan Larkin’s name is also turning up in a bigger and bigger swirl of speculation. Helene St.
James of the Detroit Free Press reports that the Red Wings captain has expanded his trade list to 10 teams, opening the door to a wider range of possibilities. The reported list includes the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche.
St. James also suggested that a multi-team trade may be what it takes to get a deal done that works for everyone.
That chatter comes on the heels of ESPN’s John Buccigross saying a trade could happen in seven to 10 days, which would put the window around Oct. 23-26.
One team not on the expanded list is the Montreal Canadiens, despite the speculation that had built around Larkin after fans chanted, “We want Larkin!”
In Edmonton, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is set to make his season debut Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Head coach Mike Babcock said the forward will return after missing the start of the season because of a lower-body injury suffered during preseason practice.
Nugent-Hopkins had 56 points in 72 games last season, and his return gives the Oilers a needed lift in the middle of the ice and on the power play. Babcock has praised his intelligence, leadership, and ability to play with or without the puck, and Edmonton should be able to spread its top-end talent more evenly with him back in the lineup.
Brady Tkachuk also addressed the circumstances behind his move from Ottawa to Florida, and he pushed back on the idea that his family steered the decision. The former Senators captain said it was his call and that personal and professional factors were part of it, though he declined to go into all the details.
He made clear that he believes his work in Ottawa should stand on its own, saying, “It was 100% my decision. I’m a big boy. I can make decisions for myself and my family.”
In Other News...
Red Wings Rally Showed Fight But Exposed A Bigger Problem
The Red Wings left Climate Pledge Arena with a point and plenty to like about their third-period push, even if the end result still felt like one that slipped away. Down by three heading into the final period, Detroit battled back enough to force overtime and eventually a shootout, extending its run to five straight games with at least one point and moving to 3-3-3 on the season.
The comeback was fueled by a pair of key moments that should matter to the locker room, including Lucas Raymond finally getting on the board and Alex DeBrincat reaching a major career milestone while helping drag the game back to level. Still, the bigger concern for Detroit is how often it is having to chase from behind in the first place, because the rally was impressive but it also underscored how much work remains before these points start feeling routine instead of salvaged. [Read more 🡒]
Henrik Zetterbergs Jersey Retirement Turned Into An Awkward Scene
Henrik Zetterbergs No. 20 jersey retirement at Timra was meant to be a celebratory night for the former Red Wings star, but the ceremony before a game against Bjrklven turned awkward almost immediately. A few visiting Bjrklven fans booed during the tribute, spoiling a moment that should have been centered on Zetterberg and his long run with the Swedish club that helped launch his career.
The embarrassment did not stop there, since Timra also had to acknowledge a mistake on Zetterbergs banner tied to the 2004-05 season, which it blamed on a supplier error. Bjrklven later issued an apology, and the fallout even reached the business side when a sponsor withdrew support from the clubs supporters group, a harsh reminder of how quickly a tribute can turn into a problem. [Read more 🡒]
Dylan Larkin Trade Talks Just Got More Real For Red Wings Fans
Dylan Larkins name has stayed in the middle of the Red Wings conversation, but the latest reporting suggests the possibilities around him may be widening. With trade discussions reportedly gaining momentum and some insiders pointing to a deal in the near future, the situation has moved from background noise to something Detroit fans have to watch closely as the process develops.
One notable wrinkle is the scope of the list Larkin has reportedly expanded, which hints at a much broader market than a simple two-team discussion. It also leaves out Montreal, a detail sure to register with anyone following the rumor mill, especially with interest around the Canadiens having lingered for some time. For the Red Wings, the next stretch could determine whether this remains speculation or turns into a major roster shakeup. [Read more 🡒]