Canadiens Eye Pavel Zacha Trade as Offseason Center Search Heats Up

Fresh off a promising playoff appearance, the Montreal Canadiens are entering the offseason with momentum and a clear priority: acquiring a top-six center. With a strong young core already locked into long-term deals, the Canadiens are now focused on adding the missing pieces needed to elevate the team from playoff participants to legitimate contenders. One name generating buzz is Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha — a player NHL insider Arpon Basu of The Athletic has linked to Montreal.

Zacha, 27, is coming off a solid season with the Bruins, registering 14 goals and 33 assists for 47 points in 82 games. He has two years remaining on his four-year, $19 million contract, making him an attractive, cost-controlled option. Though Boston and Montreal are historic rivals, Basu suggests a deal isn’t out of the question, especially as the Bruins consider retooling while keeping core stars like David Pastrňák and Charlie McAvoy in their prime.

“The Bruins’ view of the future is unclear,” Basu wrote. “If Zacha can bring in a decent draft pick and a prospect with two years left on his contract, that would make a lot of sense… even if it means dealing with the hated Canadiens.”

Montreal holds two first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft (likely around Nos. 16 and 17), and the Bruins, who pick seventh overall, could be tempted to add another first-round selection or an NHL-ready prospect. With Montreal projected to have just over $8.6 million in cap space, the financials also align well.

The Canadiens’ front office, led by Executive VP Jeff Gorton and GM Kent Hughes, is balancing development and immediate improvement. “We have some players knocking on the door,” Gorton said. “But we need to balance the youth part with experience.”

One area where that balance is most urgent is at center. The Canadiens lacked depth down the middle throughout the 2024–25 season and didn’t address it at the trade deadline. With elite prospect Ivan Demidov expected to join the roster next year, adding a reliable centerman becomes even more critical.

As one scout told RG.com: “I’d be shocked if the Canadiens didn’t trade for an age-appropriate center this summer… it’s the missing piece.”

Zacha may not be the only option, but he checks a lot of boxes. Whether through a trade with Boston or another team, expect the Canadiens to be aggressive in addressing their need at center — a move that could define their next chapter.