The Utah Mammoth are rumored to still have interest in acquiring Bruins forward, Pavel Zacha. According to the Summer Trade Watchlist on thefourthperiod.com, the Mammoth and Vancouver Canucks are the two teams linked to the large Czech forward.
Zacha has been in the rumor mill all offseason as a trade candidate, much like he was during the 2024-25 season. Zacha is one of the Bruins’ top forwards and is under contract until the end of the 2026-27 season. One would think the Bruins would need to receive an offer that blows them away if they’re to consider trading Zacha.
The Mammoth, which traded for JJ Peterka earlier this summer, could still use some help down the middle. Acquiring Zacha would give the Mammoth an upgrade at their second-line center spot, which is still a need for them. Adding Zacha to their lineup, along with the new additions of Peterka and Nate Schmidt, drastically improved the Mammoth’s chances at making the playoffs.
At the end of the day, winning the Stanley Cup is the main goal for all 32 NHL teams, but you need to make the playoffs first. So, it’s no surprise that the Mammoth are interested in trying to add a player like Zacha. It will all depend on whether Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong is willing to part with one of his top prospects. The Bruins will likely want one of either Caleb Desnoyers or Tij Iginla from the Mammoth in a deal for Zacha.
Zacha’s contract for the next two seasons has a salary cap hit of $4.75 million. The team currently has $6.68 million in available cap space, so they wouldn’t have trouble taking on his entire cap hit in a trade. Good news for them, as asking a team to retain salary in a trade only increases the asking price. Will Utah go for it and make the trade for Zacha, or will the Bruins decide to keep him? Interesting story to keep an eye on.
