Should the New Jersey Devils Consider a Pavel Zacha Reunion?
Pavel Zacha has rediscovered his identity as a player with the Boston Bruins, and he could be the missing piece to elevate the New Jersey Devils. Is it time for a reunion? 
The Devils will need to be strategic to find a solid No. 3 center, but the trade market offers a range of options. Interestingly, a former player might just be able to help them fill that gap—if they can match the asking price and fit him under the salary cap.
Zacha, a former Devils forward now with the Bruins, has found himself at the center of trade rumors this summer, with speculation continuing through this past week. According to The Fourth Period, Boston explored trading Zacha during the season and is reportedly considering moving him again. Zacha’s 10-team no-trade list shrank to an eight-team list on July 1, giving him some control over his next destination. He has two years left on his $4.75 million per year contract—an affordable price tag given today’s market.
For context, the Philadelphia Flyers just committed $5.4 million for a single season of Christian Dvorak.
Zacha, who was the Devils’ No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 draft, has posted some of the best numbers of his career in Boston. Over the last three seasons, he recorded 57, 59, and 47 points, respectively, including career-highs of 21 goals in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Although his production dipped in the last season with 14 goals and 47 points, this was largely due to Boston’s overall struggles as a team.
Even when Zacha was with the Devils, he was able to score at least 32 points in three consecutive seasons, despite not living up to the high expectations placed on him as a top draft pick.
If the Devils were to bring Zacha back, he could fit as a middle-six forward, either as a left wing (where he played in New Jersey) or as a center, where he’s thrived in Boston. His 40-point production would be a solid contribution for a team in need of size and skill down the middle. If something were to happen to Jack Hughes, for instance, Zacha has shown he can step into a larger role and produce, having done so in Boston alongside David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. The Devils have their own top forwards in Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt, giving Zacha the chance to thrive again in a prominent spot.
While Zacha isn’t particularly physical for his size, he is tough to push around. He registered 106 hits in 2023-24 and even earned a third-place vote for the Selke Trophy, which is awarded to the league’s best defensive forward.
During his time with the Devils, Zacha was often frustrating due to his inconsistencies, particularly as a shooter. However, the potential rewards make it hard to overlook the possibility of bringing him back. Zacha has also excelled in the faceoff circle, winning at least 53.2% of his draws in the last two seasons. In fact, his 53.2% faceoff percentage in 2023-24 ranked 34th in the NHL, ahead of notable players like Matt Duchene, Brock Nelson, Brayden Point, and even Connor McDavid.
To acquire Zacha from the Bruins, the Devils would likely need to part with a first-round pick and a B- or C-tier prospect—someone like Cam Squires, for example. It’s a hefty price, but it’s worth considering. After all, the Devils’ trade that sent Zacha to Boston in exchange for Erik Haula clearly didn’t work out for them, and they now have the opportunity to correct that mistake and improve their team by bringing Zacha back.
While players like Dawson Mercer, Simon Nemec, and Alex Holtz have shown varying levels of promise, Zacha’s proven track record could provide immediate value to the Devils, and it would be a smart move to revisit the opportunity to bring him back into the fold.
No Comment! Be the first one.