The Boston Bruins fanbase remains divided over whether to trade Pavel Zacha, extend his contract, or ride out the rest of the season. While riding out the rest of the year is likely at the bottom of the list, there are strong arguments for trading or signing him.
If you trade Zacha, you'll get an impact return for a center with playoff experience who can play in the top six. You have to believe that teams like the Minnesota Wild, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, or Detroit Red Wings would pay a premium to improve their center depth.
This is where David Pagnotta's report on the Red Wings comes in. Pagnotta told the Off The Roster podcast that the Red Wings are more likely to land a first- or second-line center in a Simon Edvinsson trade than in a Dylan Larkin trade. With the Bruins among the top suitors for Edvinsson, it would only make sense for Zacha to go in the deal.
Perhaps the Red Wings would first trade Larkin to another team and get something other than a center in return, then trade Edvinsson to find a replacement for their former captain. Zacha may not have Larkin's upside, but he is a solid two-way pivot who won't hurt the Red Wings.
What would a Pavel Zacha-Simon Edvinsson trade look like?
It wouldn't just be Zacha in an Edvinsson deal, even if he agreed to sign long-term. The Bruins would also likely have to capitalize on Mason Lohrei's great play to make a light replacement for Edvinsson, while also adding a premium draft pick and potentially a prospect. With more than 10 teams in the sweepstakes for the Swedish defenseman, it will turn into a bidding war.
As long as Boston doesn't sell too much of its future, it's a deal Don Sweeney has to consider. With Edvinsson, Marco Sturm gets a set-it-and-forget-it linemate for Charlie McAvoy as long as both players wear black and gold. The team has plenty of centers in the pipeline to offset the loss of Zacha, with a couple already playing big roles this season.
If the Red Wings can get Zacha to sign, it'd be a good hockey trade for both teams. Detroit gets a Larkin replacement plus more pieces; the Bruins add depth on their blueline with someone who matches the age of their young core. Boston won't trade Zacha and then forget about him, but landing someone like Edvinsson would certainly ease some of the pain.
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