It has been a decade since the New Jersey Devils made Pavel Zacha the 6th overall selection in the 2015 NHL Draft. At the time, the choice was seen as okay, since center was a position of need for the Devils at that point in time. As the years progressed however, it became apparent that the Devils could’ve done better with the selection. Zacha was inconsistent as a Devil and once Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes were in the fold, the team decided to cut bait. In the summer of 2022, Zacha was sent to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Erik Haula.

Looking at the numbers, we can see why both teams did this at the time. Haula, while older, scored at roughly the same clip the season prior and was a better fit in the Bottom Six; the Bruins meanwhile got younger while banking on Zacha having another level to his game. Meanwhile, the decision to draft Zacha so high reflected poorly on the Devils. Looking at the 2015 class, Zacha (after a few good seasons with Boston) ranks 15th of all players drafted in total points. Honestly, that’s not bad, but when you look at all the players taken after him that the Devils could’ve taken instead, the choice, which was questionable at the time, looks even more dubious.

While the Devils already moved Haula this offseason, Zacha’s name is now allegedly making the rounds in trade rumors. While slated to return to the Bruins’ Top Six where he played last season, the Bruins missed the playoffs and could (should?) be heading towards a rebuild. If that were to be the case, and the Devils were to be interested in Zacha, what might the deal look like?

The Numbers

Using contract and salary cap information from Puckpedia, Zacha is currently signed for two more seasons at 4.875 million. His deal also includes an eight team no trade clause, which could present an issue, but more than likely wouldn’t. The Bruins have just over $2 million in cap space, but do have a filled 23 man roster. If the Bruins were to part with Zacha, more than likely it is due to the fact that they feel a rebuild is near. In that case, they might be willing to take on some salary in return, but the futures (young players, picks our a combination of both) would have to be worth their while, both in terms of dealing Zacha and taking on salary if need be.

The Devils meanwhile technically have a 23 man roster, with about $6.1 million in cap space. However, that’s not entirely accurate, as one of the defenders currently listed won’t be on the opening night roster. Either Johnny Kovacevic will be on IR, or Seamus Casey will be in Utica. Honestly, but if those facts could be true and the Devils could bring up someone else to fill the seventh defender role. At the absolute minimum, Casey’s $950,000 won’t be counting against the Devils cap if he’s in the minors, making the team actually has around $7 million in cap space. This number is probably less than the amount the Luke wants if he’s going to sign a long-term deal, meaning that the Devils could need to shed cap either in this deal or in a second deal to make room for Zacha and a new Luke contract.

Why Zacha though? Well if he’s available, he’s a legit center and the Devils third line center spot isn’t exactly secure. If the Bruins are starting to rebuild and would move him, the Devils could use him to solidify their forward group. Additionally, I’m usually against a retread, but with a new coaching staff in New Jersey, it wouldn’t be Zacha in the same situation he was in last time.

Proposed Deal #1

To NJD: Pavel Zacha

To Bos: Seamus Casey + Ondrej Palat + 2026 second round draft + the better of the Devils’ two 2026 fourth round picks OR Josh Filmon OR Cam Squires

Okay, so this deal has a number of options for the fourth piece because I’ll admit I’m not entirely familiar with Boston’s needs. Additionally, maybe it’s a pipe dream to include Palat here, but I think not only can there be some adjustments to the picks in the initial proposal to make his contract more palatable (pun not intended) but he could also be a good veteran presence for a Bruins team that has seen a lot of their vets move on. The second might have to be upped to a first, either conditional or not. Maybe the fourth has to be a third or next year’s second as well. The three other assets are too help offset the extra amount Palat makes over Zacha, while also giving the Bruins young assets for a rebuild. It also gives the Devils more money to try to get Luke re-signed long term.

I do think a player like Casey could be interesting to Boston, as most of the signed defenders not on their NHL roster are left shooting. I could also see them wanting Lenni Hameenaho instead, as their forward prospects on Puckpedia seem relatively thin. I’d rather not part with a higher valued forward prospect, so if Casey and a lower tier choice of Filmon or Squires (instead of an additional draft pick) is not of interest to them, there’s probably no deal to be made here. The deal would put Boston almost to the cap, but they do have some money coming off next summer and no one on their current roster who is set to hit free agency should be commanding a large deal. Acquiring Palat wouldn’t impact their long term cap structure as the Bruins have the space for him the next two seasons and then can just let him go as a free agent in 2027. However if taking Palat is an issue…

Proposed Deal #2

To NJD: Pavel Zacha

To Bos: Dawson Mercer + the better of the Devils’ two 2026 fourth round picks

This deal would require the Devils to cap dump Palat in a separate deal.

Okay, so not my preferred move here, but there’s a number of Devils fans who have soured on Mercer. This deal would again give the Bruins the younger player in a more straightforward trade. Mercer is still young enough and under team control for enough years that if the Bruins rebuild he could still be a contributer when they’re ready to compete again. The fourth round pick would give them another attempt to restock their cupboard. This deal would see significantly less futures going to Boston though since Palat’s cap would be going elsewhere.

The Devils would seemingly get their 3C upgrade here while also opening up a bunch more cap space. Zacha’s cap hit is only $875,000 more than Mercer’s while Palat’s $6 million would be elsewhere (along with some draft picks) in this scenario. Not only does this give them even more Luke money, but this could also allow both Hameenaho and Arseny Gritsyuk to make the opening night lineup or for Juho Lammikko to be an every night player.

Personally, I don’t think moving Mercer makes the team better. He’s a durable forward and moving both him and Palat means two regulars gone from the lineup being replaced by question marks. I’m all for moving Palat though if you couldn’t tell; maybe the Devils even find a way to do a hybrid of both deals, with Casey and one of the forward prospects in deal one being of interest to Boston and Palat being sent to a rebuilding team like Chicago or San Jose separately. Palat may be easier to move on from next summer, but if the Devils can find a way to get him out while also bringing Zacha in and getting Luke signed long-term, the team might need to consider parting with whatever assets it takes to allow them to do it.

Final Thoughts and Your Take

Maybe the rumors of Zacha’s availability are just that: rumors. Maybe it’s all a byproduct of it being the middle of the summer with very little NHL news and movement. But maybe there’s some truth to it all that Zacha is out there. If there is, then Tom Fitzgerald might want to check and see if he could bring him back to New Jersey. Zacha isn’t the perfect hockey player (honestly, who is?) but he could be a useful piece to make the Devils a deeper team. If the Bruins are willing to move him for the right price, he’s willing to come back, and the Devils can move some cap, I say why not take one more shot with him in the fold.

What are your thoughts on the Pavel Zacha trade rumors; do you think he’s actually available? If so, would you want to see the Devils bring him back? Do you think either deal works as a base, even if it needs adjustments as mentioned in the first one? Do you prefer one deal over the other? Is this all just summer craziness and my desire to see the Devils dump a bad contract? Leave any and all thoughts below and thanks as always for reading!