Bruins May Have Found Center Of The Future

Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Boston Bruins Head Coach Jim Montgomery has described forward Pavel Zacha as a “glue guy,” a player with high hockey IQ and does the little things to help the team win. After seven somewhat underachieving seasons in New Jersey, Zacha has flourished in his first season with the Bruins by totaling career highs in goals (18), assists (35), and points (53). This is the first season of Zacha’s career that the 25-year-old has had a plus rating (+26). The Bruins thought highly enough of the Czech native to acquire him this past offseason for veteran center Erik Haula, but Zacha has exceeded even management’s expectations.

Zacha has played primarily wing for Boston, mostly with fellow Czech teammates David Krejci and David Pastrnak. The 6-foot-4 forward has been particularly effective in 5-on-5 play with 45 points. Zacha is a natural center, however, and the Bruins will have a good at the center position once Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retire, which could be at the end of this season. Losing their top two centers will be challenging, but the emergence of Zacha could ease the transition some.

If either Bergeron or Krejci decides to retire, Zacha can potentially step in and take on a top-six center role. It remains to be seen if Zacha will be as effective as Bergeron or fellow centers Tomas Nosek and Charlie Coyle at the face-off dot. Zacha is winning 44 percent of his draws this season (99/244) but was over 50 percent the last two seasons.

Also, the workload of being a top center would create a challenge. Zacha has averaged 16:01 of ice time this season and would need to take on a bigger role with more time on ice. Zacha is also second on the team in assists per 60 minutes with 1.66 and points per 60 minutes with 2.46. Taking on a top-line center position would also mean more power play time than Zacha has received this season which is 126 minutes, well below Bergeron and Krejci.

But Zacha is just 25 years old and has signed a four-year extension to remain in Boston through his prime years. He has played just five career postseason games, so the upcoming g playoffs will be a true indicator of what can be expected from Zacha in big games. The former first-round draft pick was a slight disappointment in Nee Jersey but has now found his stride in Boston and could end up being just what the Bruins organization needs when the roster faces significant changes soon.

Season 4. Episode 39. The Off Season Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Tanner Jeannot interest from 10 teams?- We grade the Bruins in Free Agency- Jordan Kyrou to the Bruins?- Predicting James Hagens career& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 39. The Off Season
  2. Season 4. Episode 38. B.C. Bruins
  3. Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G.
  4. Season 4. Episode 36. What's Your Vector, Victor?
  5. Season 4. Episode 35. Riding the Sturm Out.

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