On their end, the New Jersey Devils are going to have to be creative to pull off a trade for a viable No. 3 center. But, a favorable market has so far ensured that they won't be short trade options around the league.
And, with in a twist of irony, a former friend may be able to help the Devils fill this hole, so long as they can match the trade price and fit the contract in on the books.
Former Devils forward and current Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha has found himself at the center of trade rumors this summer, up to and including as recently as this past week.
On Tuesday, The Fourth Period reported, "The Bruins explored the trade market on Zacha during the season and there is belief out there that Boston is looking, again, at moving him. His 10-team no-trade list turned into an eight-team list July 1, so he does have some say in where he ends up, if dealt. He has two years remaining on his contract."
Zacha, 28, carries a $4.75 million cap hit in those two remaining years on his contract, which should be a more than reasonable price given the current market.
After all, the Philadelphia Flyers just forked out $5.4 million for one year of Christian Dvorak.
Zacha, the Devils' No. 6 overall pick in 2015, has enjoyed three of the most prolific years of his career in Boston, going for 57, 59, and 47 points in the last three seasons, respectively.
The 6-foot-3 center cranked out a career-high 21 goals in both 2022-23 and 2023-24, and while his 14 goals and 47 points from this past season were his worst marks as a Bruin, Boston was just a really bad team all year long.
Bad enough to land James Hagens in the 2025 draft, even.
Even during his time with the Devils, and even while falling short of draft expectations, Zacha still managed to score no fewer than 32 points in three straight years before he was traded for the now-departed Erik Haula.
So, if the Devils were to bring back Zacha as a middle-six forward, either as the left wing he was previously in New Jersey, or as the center he's excelled as in Boston, the 40-point range would be suitable production for his role.
The Devils badly need size and skill down the middle, and if something were to happen to Jack Hughes again, for example, Zacha has shown he can produce in an elevated role.
He just did it in Boston playing with David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand, and the Devils have two guys by the names of Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt to play those roles.
And, while Zacha has never been particularly physical for his size, he doesn't get thrown around much, and he did manage to land 106 hits with the Bruins in 2023-24 while also earning one third-place Selke Trophy vote.
Zacha was a maddeningly frustrating player at times with the Devils due to his inconsistencies, especially as a shooter, but the upside and potential benefits are just too good to ignore.
In the last two seasons, the Czech forward has won no fewer than 53.2% of his faceoffs; Zacha's 53.2% faceoff percentage this past season ranked 34th in the NHL, ahead of top forwards like Anton Lundell, Matt Duchene, Ryan McLeod, Brayden Schenn, Brock Nelson, Adam Lowry, Nick Suzuki, Wyatt Johnston, Anthony Cirelli, Nathan MacKinnon, Brayden Point, Connor McDavid, and Elias Pettersson.
To pry Zacha away from the Bruins, the Devils would, most likely, have to part ways with something like a first-round pick and a B- or C-tier prospect, such as Cam Squires, for example.
It's a hefty price, and many won't agree, yes. But the Devils lost the trade that sent Zacha to Boston for Haula almost immediately.
Zacha was once a top prospect who eventually stalled out in New Jersey before finding a new lease on life elsewhere.
Dawson Mercer is actively stalling, Simon Nemec has been hit or miss, and Alex Holtz hasn't even established himself as an NHLer.
At some point, the finger comes back around and points to the Devils themselves. But, this time, they have an opportunity to right an old wrong and improve the team by bringing Zacha back.