Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

The Bruins have made sure that Pavel Zacha will be more than a one-and-done with the organization, as the first-year Bruin was signed to a four-year, $19 million extension late Saturday night.

The deal for Zacha, who was acquired from the Devils in a one-for-one swap involving Erik Haula last summer, will come with a $4.75 million average annual value.

“Well, I think we made it very clear when we first had the opportunity to bring Pavel on board that we thought highly of him and we were hopeful that he’d be a part of our future,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said in a postgame press conference confirming the news. “We found common ground frequently on a one-year deal [in the summer] and it sort of allowed us to explore at the right time. As you all know, every deal kind of has its own cadence and timeline.

“We were fortunate to come a fairly quick agreement and be happy. Certainly happy to have him part of our organization, not just this year but moving forward”

  • BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 17: Pavel Zacha #18 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the first period against the Florida Panthers at TD Garden on October 17, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 17: Pavel Zacha #18 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the first period against the Florida Panthers at TD Garden on October 17, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

  • Utilized as David Krejci’s left wing for the majority of the season, the 25-year-old Zacha has recorded five goals and 25 points through 42 points this year, and currently paced for what would be a career-high 49 points on the year. Zacha’s previous career-high came last year, with 36 points for the Devils.

    “When I heard the news that I was going to be traded here last summer, I was hoping that I was going to show myself [and the Bruins] that I will be able to be here for for a long, long time,” Zacha said. “And I’m happy that it happened. And it’s a start. It’s my first season here, and I have to prove myself, show why I’m here, and why I’m going to be here for a longer time. And it’s just super exciting for me to be to be part of this.”

    Zacha’s 25 points currently rank seventh among all Boston forwards, while the Czech-born forward’s 19 points at five-on-five are tied with David Krejci for the third-most among all Bruins.

    Beyond the raw data, Zacha also ranks seventh in individual scoring chances for (60), and eighth in individual high-danger scoring chances for (29) on the team at five-on-five play.

    The Bruins are also a staggering 18-0-2 on the year when Zacha records at least one point.

  • Capable of playing all three forward positions (and doing exactly that for the Bruins this year), Zacha has also given Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery just another weapon on a roster that’s full of them.

    “I guess how I can use him in so many different ways, left wing right wing center and it doesn’t matter,” Montgomery said of what Zacha’s addition to the lineup has meant to the Bruins this season. “Like tonight I used him with [Charlie] Coyle and [Trent] Frederic in a shutdown role where I want them to match up against [Auston] Matthews tonight for the majority of the game. I’m asking him to maybe sacrifice, but he’s fine. Whatever we ask of him, he’s going to do if it’s going to help the team.

    “And then the other thing is just how smart a hockey player he is offensively and defensively. I think he’s a little snakebit right now. He rang that one off the post and he made a great play in the middle of the ice and he makes the right shot. He goes for the top corner but the puck’s rolling off his stick or else he would’ve a top-corner goal that would’ve put us ahead a little earlier.

    “We’re really happy about the four year deal and we’re really happy to have him here.”

    A veteran of 428 NHL games, Zacha has recorded 74 goals and 204 points between the Devils and Bruins.

  • Dec 7, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (18) and Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher (37) battle for the puck in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

    Dec 7, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (18) and Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher (37) battle for the puck in the first period at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports)

  • With Zacha officially signed beyond 2022-23, the Bruins now have six forwards on their current NHL roster signed beyond this season, as Zacha joins a group featuring Brad Marchand, Taylor Hall, Charlie Coyle, Jake DeBrusk, and A.J. Greer.

    It also leaves the Bruins with a current cap space projection of just under $22 million, though that is not taking into account any bonus overages or cap increases.

    Pending unrestricted free agent David Pastrnak is obviously the next domino to fall for the Bruins, though Sweeney opted for a quick “no” when asked for an update on those talks Saturday night.

Sign me up for the 98.5 The Sports Hub email newsletter!

Get the latest Boston sports news and analysis, plus exclusive on-demand content and special giveaways from Boston's Home for Sports, 98.5 The Sports Hub.

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.