Going into training camp, one question surrounding the Boston Bruins that really is going to hang over the Bruins this winter is the future of Pavel Zacha. He is in a contract year, and where he plays next season is anyone's guess.
However, on a recent episode of TSN's Insider Trading, Chris Johnston said that Zacha and the Bruins are an interesting case to watch as the season goes along.
"This will be an interesting one to wait out, because if Zacha isn't signed at some point during the season, he could very well find himself on the trade bait list as one of the few centres that could play in the top six that could be available,'' said Johnston. "Boston would like to keep the player, but it's a bit of a dance… And my sense right now is that Zacha is in no rush to get anything done.''
That doesn't sound like a promising update, if we're being honest.
Bruins' contract negotiations with Pavel Zacha will hang over the club all season long
Right before training camp opened last month, general manager Don Sweeney spoke about Zacha and the communication that was on going about a new deal.
"Ongoing communication with Pav's representative and good dialogue," Sweeney said, per Nick Goss of NBC Sports Boston. "Have not found a landing spot, but we know the importance of Pav to our hockey club, and we would like to be able to have him come back. So, we'll continue to talk. … Pav is a big part of what we're trying to accomplish as an organization."
Yikes. Things are not going in the right direction, it appears. Sure, there is time to get something done, but will it? Or is Sweeney saying the right things and might end up trading his top-six center? If a deal can't be reached, then trading him and getting some assets in return by the deadline might end up being the move Sweeney has to make.
I'm sure Zacha is a big part of what the Bruins are trying to accomplish; however, at what cost in the future? The cap is going up, and players' contracts in terms of AAVs are going up, but just how far is Sweeney willing to go with Zacha? He is a very good player, but committing to him long-term with a huge contract might not be what's best for the Black and Gold. Whatever happens, it doesn't sound like there's a short-term answer in the near future, which will keep the topic hanging over the club all winter long.
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