Pavel Zacha has been traded from the New Jersey Devils. He is now on to the Boston Bruins, with more details to come. With Pavel Zacha Traded, the Devils will likely continue to look and upgrade their forward core. TSN’s Darren Dreger first had the report. In return, the Devils are getting forward Erik Haula.
Pavel Zacha has been traded to Boston.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 13, 2022
Pavel Zacha Traded By Devils
To describe the relationship between the New Jersey Devils and Pavel Zacha as “fraught” is to minimize its complexity. His professional career started with a bang right from his draft +1 season. Taken sixth overall in 2015, Zacha played the year out with Sarnia, jumped to Albany when Sarnia’s OHL playoff run ended, then to New Jersey when Albany’s AHL playoff run ended. He played one game with the Devils as a newly-minted* 19-year-old.
He joined New Jersey in 2016-17, scoring 8 goals and 24 points in 70 games. That was followed by two seasons of 25 points in 69 and 61 games. He was even sent to the AHL in his third season after playing 150 NHL games.
Zacha then got a second three-year contract, and by year two there were promising signs of a breakthrough. Zacha scored 17 goals and 35 points in 50 games. Numbers more suitable for a top-six player. Unfortunately, this past season was a hard one for him and the team. The Devils finished 19th in goals for and 29th in goals against, though Zacha did what he could to prevent it. His 15 goals and 36 points in 70 games weren’t great, but his Corsi was a rock-solid 57%. That seems like the biggest reason Boston decided to acquire him.
What This Means
Pavel Zacha was eternally part of trade rumours surrounding the Devils. It makes sense in that he’s young, and still carries that “top-10 draft pick” cachet. He’s also been a bit disappointing for his draft team, which always draws attention. New Jersey also wants to improve soon and has a very young forward corps. They could afford to lose one or even two in trade deals if management feels the need.
Pavel Zacha is capable of playing centre or wing. He has more talent than normally appears on the third line, so his future seems to be on the wing. However, Boston may use him up and down the lineup in many different roles.
Main Photo:
