Bruins Hit Home Run Acquiring Top Center

During the 2022 NHL Offseason, the Boston Bruins acquired Pavel Zacha from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Erik Haula. Haula was solid in his lone season with the Bruins, but the Original Six club saw potential in Zacha and elected to make this notable one-for-one swap.

Pavel Zacha © John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

At the time, Zacha was a former top prospect who had yet to break out into the top-six forward that the Devils had hoped for. The 2015 sixth-overall pick had a solid 15 goals and 36 points in 70 games in 2021-22 with New Jersey but was more of a middle-six forward. However, that, of course, has now changed since he arrived in Boston.

Zacha, 26, became an instant part of the Bruins’ top six last season, forming excellent chemistry with superstar winger David Pastrnak. He posted new career highs with 21 goals, 36 assists, and 57 points last season and has not slowed down this campaign. Last night against the Lightning, he recorded his 50th point in his 70th game of the season.

With the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci last offseason, Zacha has had zero trouble stepping up as a top-six center, and the Bruins have greatly benefitted from that. While Haula has been quite solid for the Devils, too, it’s fair to say that the Bruins have zero regrets about making this big trade.

In 152 games with the Bruins, Zacha has 39 goals and 107 points. Haula, on the other hand, has 28 goals and 74 points in 147 games since joining the Devils.

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