According to insider Jimmy Murphy, as relayed Tuesday by The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, several NHL teams have inquired about Pavel Zacha this summer, including the Montreal Canadiens.
This past season, Zacha, who is 29 years old, scored 65 points and 30 goals in 78 games played during the regular season for Boston.
The Czech striker has a cap hit of $4,750,000 and a strong history of success on the power play, scoring 11 goals this season.
Pavel Zacha has reportedly received inquiries from a number of teams, including the Canadiens, according to Jimmy Murphy.
Do you want to see him in Montreal?
YES or NO?
Kent Hughes, the general manager, is constantly on the lookout for that kind of player. Although Montreal averaged 3.5 goals per game this season, the Canadiens have made it clear that they want more scoring power upfront going into what seems to be a real Cup contender window.
The issue is what occurred in the postseason. In the six-game first-round loss to Buffalo, Zacha recorded only three points and went minus-7.
It’s difficult to sell someone who performed well all season long but then vanished when it mattered most. Habs fans will recall that.
Is Zacha’s $4.75 million contract suitable for Montreal’s cap structure, or is it a luxury they can’t afford?
Boston’s season came to an end after losing to Buffalo in six games, and with Marco Sturm’s new coaching staff still settling in, the Bruins’ roster is in a state of genuine uncertainty going into the summer.
Don Sweeney won’t give up his players. However, a player like Zacha, who is about to turn 30 and has a playoff record that has raised questions, may not be sacred either.
Other teams are rumored to be involved. Teams that have also investigated the 29-year-old include Detroit, Chicago, and Anaheim, which would put Montreal in a battle to sign him. That is something.
Something genuinely authentic has been created by Martin St-Louis in Montreal. A 48-win regular season followed by a second-round appearance tells you this team is legitimate. Adding a 65-point forward with power play pedigree could make sense.
But Zacha isn’t exactly Nick Suzuki or Cole Caufield. He’s a depth piece with top-six upside. And right now, the Canadiens have a locker room full of young players who need minutes and trust, not a veteran brought in to push them down the depth chart.
Is he the right guy for what Martin St-Louis is trying to build? That’s a real question. You don’t always want to paper over holes with someone else’s cast-off.
The Montreal schedule tells its own story. The two teams met four times this season, with Boston winning three of those matchups. Zacha knows what playing against this group looks like. Whether he wants to join it is a different conversation.
The summer is long. This one will get louder before it gets quieter.
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