As the NHL season progresses, the Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly among several teams showing interest in Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha. With the Maple Leafs looking to bolster their top-six forward group, Zacha's name has surfaced as a potential target.
The Maple Leafs have been actively seeking to fill the void on their first line, particularly at right wing, after the departure of Mitch Marner. Zacha, a versatile player capable of playing both center and wing, could be a valuable addition to the Leafs' roster. He could potentially slot in at left wing, allowing Matthew Knies or Bobby McMann to shift to the right side.
However, acquiring Zacha won't be an easy task. The Bruins are reportedly hesitant to trade him, and if they do entertain offers, the asking price is expected to be substantial. The Maple Leafs, currently tight against the salary cap and lacking high-end draft picks and prospects, may find it challenging to meet Boston's demands. Toronto is exploring ways to create cap space, potentially by trading depth forwards like David Kampf and Nick Robertson.
Zacha is in the third year of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million. His reasonable cap hit makes him an attractive target for several teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, and New York Rangers, all seeking center depth or top-six scoring. The Vancouver Canucks have also expressed interest in Zacha, further increasing the potential competition for his services.
While some reports suggest the Bruins view Zacha as a long-term fit and may explore a contract extension, the team is also reportedly listening to offers. If the Bruins' early-season struggles continue, they may become more open to trading Zacha by the trade deadline. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun noted that it is not impossible to imagine Zacha being dealt.
Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving is known to be actively working the phones to find a high-impact solution to improve the team's top-six forward group. While the cost of acquiring Zacha may be high, the Maple Leafs could at least make a call to gauge the Bruins' willingness to trade him.
Other options for the Maple Leafs include exploring the trade market for players like Martin Necas, although the acquisition cost may be prohibitive. The Leafs may have to part with top prospects to make such a deal work. With the team's need for a top-six winger clear, Treliving will likely continue to explore all available options in the coming weeks.
