The Toronto Maple Leafs are in their Stanley Cup window and could be aggressive in adding talent to their roster this season.
The Maple Leafs need another top-six forward after losing Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. With Toronto looking to bolster its offense, NHL analyst Matteo Giuliano of EditorInLeaf urges the Maple Leafs to acquire Pavel Zacha from the Boston Bruins.
“When looking through their roster, Pavel Zacha seems like the most realistic fit. He is currently in the third year of a four-year deal carrying a cap hit of $4.75 million,” Giuliano wrote. “Zacha has played top-six minutes for Boston as a centre, and I could see him being available at the deadline if they have another rough year. The 28-year-old played all 82 games last season, recording 14 goals and 33 assists for 47 points.
While I don’t think he’s better than Tavares as a second-line centre, he can play the wing, which would add more versatility to the lineup, which is always a good thing,” Giuliano added. “The options in Boston are slim, but we’ve seen Treliving make deals with Bruins general manager Don Sweeney before.”
Zacha would be a top-six forward for the Maple Leafs and also gives Toronto some more depth at center ice, but would most likely play the wing. His salary is also affordable, and he’d be part of the Maple Leafs roster for two more years.
Zacha recorded 14 goals and 33 assists for 47 points in 82 games with the Bruins.
Bruins Exploring Trade Market for Zacha
Boston was one of the worst teams last season and could be starting a rebuild.
However, Boston’s front office has been adamant that they want to compete for a playoff spot next season. Yet, despite that, NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports the Bruins have been exploring trade calls on Zacha.
“The Bruins explored the trade market on Zacha during the season and there is belief out there that Boston is looking, again, at moving him,” Pagnotta wrote. “His 10-team no-trade list turned into an eight-team list July 1, so he does have some say in where he ends up, if dealt. He has two years remaining on his contract.”
Zacha has spent the last three seasons with the Bruins after being traded from the New Jersey Devils and has been an impact player for Boston. But, with him only having two years left on his deal, he could be traded as the Bruins look for draft picks and prospects to help out a rebuild.
Maple Leafs Have Cap Space to Acquire Zacha
Toronto doesn’t have a ton of cap space available for most top-six forwards, but could acquire Zacha.
“We would’ve liked to use that earlier today. But if there’s not the right fit to use it on, we will take the flexibility,” Maple Leafs’ general manager Brad Treliving said about the cap space.
Zacha makes just $4.75 million per season, and the Maple Leafs have just under $3 million in cap space. However, by trading either Calle Jarnkrok or David Kampf would be enough space.
So, if Zacha is indeed available, the Maple Leafs could look to make a move to acquire him from a rival.
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