The Montreal Canadiens have a clear need to acquire a centerman, and one trade pitch has them going to a division rival to acquire one.
Heavy.com proposed a deal that would see the Canadiens acquire Pavel Zacha from the Boston Bruins in an intriguing move.
Canadiens acquire:
Bruins acquire:
- Kirby Dach
- Joshua Roy
- 2026 second-round pick
The proposed deal would be an intriguing one as Montreal would acquire a middle-six center for two young NHL forwards and their own second-round pick, as the Habs have two second-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Montreal would acquire Zacha, who has two years left on his four-year, $19 million deal with the Canadiens. The Habs have a clear need for a second or third-line center, and Zacha would be a good fit for Montreal. Zacha recorded 14 goals and 33 assists for 47 points in 82 games last season with the Canadiens.
In return, Montreal would give up a draft pick and Dach, who would be the two key pieces in the deal. Dach is entering the final year of his four-year, $13.45 million deal. He was drafted third overall in 2019 but has battled injuries in his career. Dach skated in 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 57 games.
Montreal would also trade Roy, who’s entering the final year of his three-year, $2.51 million deal. Roy would be a good third or fourth-line forward for Boston. He recorded 2 goals in 12 games last season with the Canadiens.
Canadiens GM Looking to Improve at Center
Montreal is set to enter the season with Alex Newhook and Dach as its second and third-line centers.
However, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said the team is looking to upgrade at center ice but is fine going into the year with those two.
“It was always via trade over free agency that we’d attempt to improve at center,” Hughes said on July 1. “We haven’t done it yet. We’re ready to start the season with what we have, but we’ll continue to work the phones.”
The Canadiens do have some good assets to trade, as Montreal has three picks in the first two rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft, as well as Dach and other young players.
Montreal has a bona fide No. 1 center in Nick Suzuki, but the Canadiens could look to upgrade the position through a trade.
Bruins Could Shop Zacha
Boston was one of the worst teams in the NHL last season and is hopeful to make the playoffs this season.
However, the Bruins could be sellers again, and NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period named Zacha a trade candidate.
“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,” Pagnotta wrote. “His 10-team no-trade list turns to 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 was selected sixth overall in 2015 by the New Jersey Devils. In his NHL career, he’s skated in 628 games, recording 125 goals and 217 assists for 342 points.
Trade Pitch Sees Canadiens Acquiring $19M Center From Division Rival