Report: Bruins Discussed Moving Pavel Zacha, ‘Haven’t Been Close’ on Extension

Story by

Story by
Report: Bruins Discussed Moving Pavel Zacha, ‘Haven’t Been Close’ on Extension

Report: Bruins Discussed Moving Pavel Zacha, 'Haven't Been Close' on Extension — IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jack Studley · Boston Hockey Now

Wed, Oct 7, 2026 ·

5 min read

About Our Ads

The Boston Bruins were looking to improve, and they were ready to lose their top center in the process.

The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported on Wednesday that Zacha's name "came up in conversations between the Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets when the Bruins inquired about Kirill Marchenko ."

The Blue Jackets wanted a return to keep them competitive, and ultimately took a package from the Toronto Maple Leafs with Matthew Knies as the centerpiece. Knies is signed until 2031 with a cap hit of $7.75 million, while Zacha is a free agent if not signed before July 1. Knies is also turning 24 next week; Zacha is 30 at the end of the season.

Marchenko went on to sign a six-year deal with the Maple Leafs carrying an AAV of $12.5 million.

Elliotte Friedman dropped the Bruins' name when Marchenko trade talks were heating up in late September. He reported that the Bruins "made an offer at one point," but they were one of seven teams that he listed as potential suitors.

Bruins and Zacha Not Close in Extension Talks

Don Sweeney made it his priority to be " proactive " in contract negotiations with the 29-year-old center. He did not deny trade talks surrounding Zacha before the draft, saying that he cannot control what other teams ask for.

It does not sound like the two sides are too close, though, according to LeBrun.

"As far as I can tell, though, the Bruins haven't been close in talks with his camp over the past three months on what an extension should look like," LeBrun writes. "I think they had some sticker shock in June when they heard what the player might be looking for. But as the summer has gone on and salaries skyrocketed around the league, I bet that number doesn't seem as high."

He added that, even while not close, the two sides have had continued dialogue.

Zacha met with the media after the first on-ice session at training camp. He said he " didn't think there would be talks " between him and Sweeney this summer. He added that he's leaving negotiations to his agent and Sweeney.

"My agent's been dealing with that. Don knows where we stand, and I just think I'm excited to be in training camp with the guys," Zacha said. "I can smile, play hockey, and play on a team that I like to play on, and that's what it is. It's out of my control a little bit."

Pavel Zacha on contract talks: ⁰⁰"That's one of the things that we've been talking about. We've been talking lately."

"My agent's been dealing with that. Don knows where we stand, and I just think I'm excited to be in training camp with the guys. I can smile, play hockey, and… pic.twitter.com/RNO32MAeUu

— Jack Studley (@jackstudley13) September 17, 2026

In July, Elliotte Friedman called Zacha's extension " one of the most fascinating things that's going to happen this offseason ." He and 32 Thoughts: The Podcast co-host Kyle Bukauskas suggested that if Zacha can repeat the season he had in 2025-26, he could be looking at an eight-figure AAV.

The market is expected to keep growing as well. The NHL salary cap is expected to go up another $9.5 million next summer, bringing the ceiling to $113.5 million. The first projection for the 2028-29 season, reported at the Board of Governors meeting, is $127.5 million , up another $14 million.

But according to LeBrun, the Bruins may be wary of another long-term commitment down the middle, "Perhaps sensitive to living with the Elias Lindholm contract already."

Sweeney, however, reiterated the importance of keeping Zacha in Boston when he spoke at the season-opening press conference.

"Our intent is to continue to discuss [a] contract with Pav. He's a big part of our club. I think that will help a lot, knowing kind of the importance and the role he has," Sweeney said. "Plays in all situations, plays on the top lines, you know, penalty kill and power play. So that's only going to help his mindset because he knows he's counted upon, valued, and ideally, we would like to find a landing spot."

Don Sweeney on Pavel Zacha:

"Our intent is to continue to discuss [a] contract with Pav. He's a big part of our club. I think that will help a lot, knowing kind of the importance and the role he has. Plays in all situations, plays on the top lines, you know, penalty kill and… pic.twitter.com/uIQQvMXXNU

— Jack Studley (@jackstudley13) September 28, 2026

Sweeney's comments came on the day of Kirill Marchenko's trade, just hours before the 26-year-old winger landed in Toronto.

Zacha, the Bruins' top option at center, was just reunited with David Pastrnak on the first line at the end of Monday's game. That continued at practice on Wednesday , as they skated with Morgan Geekie on the left wing.

The Bruins have made it clear how much they value Zacha, but his contract situation will simmer on the back burner throughout the season. There is still time for the two sides to find common ground, and continued dialogue suggests that the door is still open.

Where the Bruins stand in March may also have an impact on how this ends.

"This one could absolutely go either way over the coming months," LeBrun writes. "But if the Bruins aren't in a playoff spot closer to the March 1 trade deadline and Zacha still hasn't signed, I think you know how it ends."

Also Read: Bruins Could Face Costly Pavel Zacha Extension

FOLLOW @JACKSTUDLEY13 ON 𝕏 | FOLLOW @BOSHockeyNow ON 𝕏

Related Headlines