Bruins Make Right Decision With Zacha Extension

The Boston Bruins had one major trade this past offseason, bringing Pavel Zacha from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Erik Haula. The former sixth overall pick from the 2015 NHL Entry Level Draft had struggled to live up to expectations in his tenure in New Jersey, and the hope in bringing him to Boston is that he would benefit from a change of scenery.

So far in his first 45 games in Boston, that has certainly proven to be the case. Zacha has quietly been putting together the best season of his career. Through the first half of the season, he has eight goals and 22 assists for 30 points. Previously, his best season came last year when he had 36 points in 70 games. If he continues at his current rate, he’ll finish the 2022-23 season with 54 points. 

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His excellent play earned him a contract extension this past week. His new contract is a four-year deal that carries an average annual value (AAV) of $4.75 million. It came at a great time for both sides. Zacha is getting a deserved $1.25 million increase on the AAV of his current contract, which is $3.5 million, while the Bruins are getting a quality offensive player locked up at a reasonable length and value. For a team that needs to continue to keep their future in mind even as they currently dominate the league, it is the right move.

Zacha Blooming in Boston

Zacha has become a quality depth player in his short time in Boston. While he isn’t the elite player one might expect from a top-10 draft pick, he has found a great sweet spot for his game in the middle-six and has even proven that he can spend some time on the top line and be effective like he did to start the season. For a team like the Bruins, who have struggled to find consistent depth pieces, he has filled a hole that has been quite glaring on the roster for several seasons now. 

It often comes down to guys being placed in the right spot to succeed. This is why often in hockey, people talk about guys needing a change of scenery to find that right spot. In New Jersey, Zacha struggled to find the role that best suited him. In Boston, similar to Taylor Hall, he has found a comfortable spot as a depth player. Playing with guys like David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand takes some of the pressure off of Zacha, who doesn’t have to be The Guy who does everything….