Welcome back to another edition of NHL Rumours. The early season market has been interesting for many teams, including the Vancouver Canucks and their search for a centre is starting to take centre stage. Moreover, the Canucks are looking to prove that last season was an anomaly and make their way back into the Western Conference playoff picture. They feel a centre is the key to the story.
All rumours come from the original source and are subject to change as we move forward.
NHL Rumours: Vancouver Closing in on Boston Centre
Rumour: The Vancouver Canucks have intense interest in picking up a centre, and according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet has indicated that Pavel Zacha is the target. It’s believed that the Canucks are not on Zacha’s eight-team no-trade clause.
Analysis: The Vancouver Canucks centre depth took a hit after a falling out between themselves and J.T. Miller last season, leading to a trade to the Rangers . Now they are looking for a worthy replacement for the veteran. Zacha has the size that the Canucks are looking for. As well, he has the speed that Canucks head coach Adam Foote wants the team to play with consistently.
Pavel Zacha’s Fit in Vancouver
Pavel Zacha is a big guy, in a league that has gotten smaller. The appeal for the 6’4″ centre is apparent around the league. However, Boston may not be in the position to make a move of this nature, they are not in a rebuild even after a disappointing season last year. If a team gives an offer that can’t be refused, such as a top prospect, it would be hard not to consider it for the 28-year-old.
For the fit in Vancouver , the recent injury to Filip Chytil has left a hole in the lineup. Pavel Zacha could easily be seen in that position. Furthermore, he would fit into the style Adam Foote is looking for, with the size, speed, and ability to score 20 goals a season. It’s a move that would make sense for the Canucks, as well as many other teams.
Boston may not be Willing to Move Zacha
The Bruins are in an interesting position, with a relatively young roster. Also, they have a desire to remain competitive. Therefore, moving away from Zacha could prove to be detrimental to the Bruins future. In past seasons, Zacha has been a 50-point scorer a couple of times. He is coming into his own as an NHL player. The Bruins have also lost a number of players in recent years and still looking for a number one centre after the retirement of Patrice Bergeron in 2023. With that the Bruins could be hesitant to make a centre trade without a good young centre in return.
Elliotte Friedman also reported on The Fan Hockey Show that the price is big, and that the Bruins are “happy to keep him” and that “nothing is going to happen” unless teams hit the target that the Bruins are looking for in return.
The most linked player to the Canucks is undoubtably Zacha. However, there is a number of others that could be in the market, including Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri . If the Canucks and Bruins can’t meet in the middle the attention could shift to the Pacific Division rivals.
Main Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
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