NHL Rumors: Insider Names One Player Most Realistic Canadiens' Trade Target

Friday, October 31, 2025 ,
Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha skates with the puck during 2025 game.

The Montreal Canadiens keep scanning for a true second line center, and insider Chris Johnston of The Athletic views a Pavel Zacha trade as the most realistic path among buzzed names like Matty Beniers and Bo Horvat. 

Johnston also cautions that the Boston Bruins are unlikely to send a useful piece to a long time rival, which means the fit is real but the route is complicated. 

League chatter mirrors that split verdict. 

Teams have been checking on Zacha’s availability while Boston weighs its own early season turbulence and a player who is delivering in all situations.

Why Zacha fits Montreal’s 2C need

Zacha brings size, two way reliability, faceoff strength, and enough playmaking to steady a line with Montreal’s skilled wings. He is on an efficient contract at a 4.75 million dollar cap hit through 2026-27, which matches the Canadiens timeline without blocking a prospect surge. 

His usage in Boston covers five on five, power play, and penalty kill, and his faceoff rate this fall has trended near the upper tier. That profile is exactly what Montreal has lacked behind Nick Suzuki. It allows coach Martin St. Louis to keep Kirby Dach flexible and spread minutes without overextending young centers.

What makes a deal hard and how it could still work

Rivalry trades require premium value. Boston does not have to move Zacha and could extend him next summer if its season stabilizes. Any Montreal pitch would need to likely need to return some immediate help for the Bruins and preserve the Canadiens' core plan. 

Regardless, depending on how the Bruins' season continues to pan out, it will be interesting to see what they decide to do with Zacha.

Photo Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Go To: NFL Rumors | NBA Rumors | MLB Rumors