Pavel Zacha's name has floated around the trade rumour mill and Toronto has the perfect chance to enact some payback for Boston stealing away Fraser Minten.
As the Maple Leafs look for lineup help especially in the wake of John Tavares' lower-body injury, there have been some discussions about a potential trade. Though Toronto doesn't want to give up premium assets unless it's for a difference-maker, they only have limited time to find help before things get dire.
They would have been absolutely fine had Brad Treliving not traded Fraser Minten away, as he would be able to step in seamlessly as the 2C and his performance over the past two seasons is evident of that.
Toronto gets sweet revenge by stealing Boston's star centre away
Though it eventually brought the team Gavin McKenna, they got extremely lucky in that regard and losing Minten in general is a tough loss for Toronto. However, a new report shows they can get some much-desired revenge for Boston stealing their young star centre - and steal one of their own.
Pavel Zacha's name has been floated about as a potential trade target due to Boston's reluctance to offer an extension right now, and given the raises that several players have gotten recently, it could get expensive quick according to Pierre LeBrun:
There's still a chance the Bruins eventually extend Pavel Zacha; in the meantime, teams are naturally calling about him; I think the Bruins are worried about a long-term commitment and how it will age.
Zacha, 29, is a reliable and consistent two-way centre who adds great face-off ability, physicality, above average offensive potential, and some serious size as he's 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds - he's earning $4.75M this season and is a free agent this summer.
He has five points in eight games this season, and has recorded 157 goals and 412 points in 714 games split with New Jersey and Boston. The former sixth overall pick had a slow start to his career but really blossomed in Boston with 233 points in 328 games over five seasons (including 2026-27).
Toronto gives up a bit of their young core for a shot at Zacha
If Boston is really worried about Zacha's price heading into the summer, they are likely going to try and get something for him before the season ends, and Toronto has some interesting pieces to trade.
Look, trading with Boston and getting fleeced a third time is not going to win any fans over. But Toronto doesn't need to give up Easton Cowan or Ben Danford - but they will need to give up something.
A package that includes prospects like Tyler Hopkins, Miroslav Holinka, and William Villeneuve could entice Boston as Villeneuve is NHL-ready just dealing with surgery recovery this year. He's dominated the AHL level and Boston needs another puck-mover on the right side.
Holinka is a versatile forward who can play both wing and centre, has serious offensive potential, but hasn't broken out yet for the Marlies. He could be a project for Boston that makes his debut sooner than later, he just needs a fresh start.
Hopkins is a two-way centre with great defensive instincts and is tearing up junior hockey, so while he's a bit away, he is a good replacement for Zacha.
It's not a crazy package but it does strip Toronto's pipeline a bit, and there's always the risk that all three prospects turn out to be something. But that's the risk of winning now, and you have to give quality to get quality.
Should the Maple Leafs trade for Pavel Zacha as payback for Boston trading for Fraser Minten?
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