The 6’4″, 211-pound Zacha is a versatile forward who can play center or left wing. He had 21 goals and over 55 points in each of his first two seasons with the Bruins. His production dropped a bit last season (14 goals, 47 points), but that’s not surprising given the club’s overall performance.
A strong skater with a powerful shot, Zacha uses his size and strength to win puck battles along the boards and in front of the net. He’s primarily used in second-line roles, but can play first-line minutes if necessary.
Zacha’s skills as a center make him an enticing trade target. Skilled centers are in demand around the league, and several clubs could be interested in acquiring him if he becomes available in the trade market.
The Bruins aren’t sellers yet, making it difficult to determine with certainty what Zacha’s trade value would be. On Oct. 28, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported they still consider the big center as a good fit on their roster. He speculated they could attempt to sign him to a contract extension next summer.
If the Bruins decide to move Zach, their asking price will depend on whether they’re retooling for another shot at a playoff berth next season or rebuilding by shipping out veterans.
The Bruins currently have eight players over the age of 25 on long-term contracts, including superstar winger David Pastrňák, defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, and forwards Morgan Geekie and Elias Lindholm. As a result, they’re more likely to be retooling than rebuilding.
Zacha also has a year remaining on his contract. Interested clubs could prefer assurances from his agent that he’ll be open to signing a contract extension this summer. That could affect how much a club would be willing to offer the Bruins.
Given these factors, Zacha could fetch a promising NHL player and either a draft pick or a quality prospect. The draft pick could be a first-rounder depending on when the Bruins put him on the market and how many teams get into the bidding for his services.