Maple Leafs Have a Chance to Steal Key Bruins Player in Rivalry Twist
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
The Toronto Maple Leafs might be able to add a top rival forward from Boston in Pavel Zacha, and in doing so could be taking a key piece from another heated rival.
With the Maple Leafs looking to still shore up their top-six this season, they are running out of options before the beginning of the season, barring a Jack Roslovic signing or a random trade out of nowhere.
It's likely the team will run with what they have right now and adjust accordingly as the season progresses, and while it's a great group of players they have; they are still missing a 100-point star to help ease things.
However, they could find themselves killing two birds with one stone by not only shoring up that offense up front, but also take a big piece from a heated rival; but they have heavy competition.
Insider Reports Maple Leafs Rivals Lead Charge For Pavel Zacha
According to James Murphy of RG.org, a source close to the Bruins mentioned that Pavel Zacha's name is being floated around with both Calgary and Montreal as potential destinations:
The Canadiens definitely have interest in Zacha and have inquired about him, but they're not the only team. Several teams, and I'm told the Flames are one; continue to express interest in him.
Well, leave it to the Habs to rain on the Maple Leafs parade, but it's not all a loss for Toronto even without a premium asset.
Why Toronto Can Still Find Ways To Acquire Pavel Zacha
Zacha, 28, would be a perfect piece for the Maple Leafs to plug in at the 2C while moving John Tavares to the wing.
He's huge at 6'3, 206 pounds, is great on face-offs, more than solid defensively and has the offensive chops to boot.
Last season he had 47 points in 82 games (14 goals, 33 assists) but is coming off back-to-back 55+ point seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Bringing him in won't necessarily be the easiest, and Boston is not going to let one of their most heated rivals get him for less than a lucrative package (same with Montreal) but Toronto can still get it done.
Also, according to reports it's not Zacha being shopped but teams being interested, which is also going to drive his price up as GM Don Sweeney would like to keep him; but a rough start could change things.
If they wanted to cut ties with Nick Robertson, they could package him and perhaps a couple of their mid-tier picks as well such as their 2026 third-rounder or the 2027 second-round pick.
Or if they were really desperate, they could send another one of their rookie prospects over much like they did with Fraser Minten and send Ben Danford to Boston in exchange for a prime Zacha.
Making only $4.75-million for the next two seasons, he's a steal in terms of salary, and with a rising cap extending him won't cost too much either. However he does hold an 8-team no-trade list so there is potential Toronto is on there and this is entirely moot.
But for now, it's something to keep an eye on especially if the Bruins struggle heavily to start the year.
We saw the glimpses of a teardown last year and that could turn into a complete implosion depending on the circumstances.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 14 | 839 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Have a Chance to Steal Key Bruins Player in Rivalry Twist Do you think Pavel Zacha makes sense for the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 348 | 41.5 % |
| No | 491 | 58.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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