Rumors are swirling! Insiders suggest the Bruins may trade Pavel Zacha or Casey Mittelstadt. Here’s why the Canucks are a perfect trade partner.
The Vancouver Canucks’ search for a legitimate second-line center has been the defining story of their offseason. After management forecasted the acquisition of a top-two center and has thus far come up empty, a new report has put a pair of intriguing names on the radar: Boston Bruins centers Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt.
On the “Sekeres & Price” show, the hosts dove into the rumor, suggesting both players could be on the move. The consensus? Vancouver should absolutely be interested.
Here’s a breakdown of the players and why a trade could make sense for the Canucks.
The Rumor: Boston’s Motives
According to the trade rumor, which cited an anonymous NHL executive, the Bruins may not be as committed to Mittelstadt as it seems. The feeling is that when Boston acquired him from Colorado at the NHL trade deadline, their main targets were the prospect and the second-round pick in the deal, not necessarily Mittelstadt himself.
With Pavel Zacha’s name also circulating in trade talks, it appears the Bruins are exploring a retool. For a Canucks team in “win-now” mode, this presents a significant opportunity.
The Targets: A Tale of Two Centers
Pavel Zacha
Age: 28
Size: 6’3″, 206 lbs
Contract: $4.75 million AAV for two more seasons
2024-25 Stats: 14 Goals, 47 Points
The Skinny: Zacha is arguably the better fit for Vancouver’s needs. He brings legitimate size to the middle of the ice, a key element the Canucks are lacking. More importantly, he’s a versatile, two-way player who logs heavy minutes (19:00 per game last season) and contributes on both the power play and the penalty kill. His ability to kill penalties is crucial for a Canucks team that lost key defensive forwards this summer. With a manageable contract and a modified no-trade clause covering only eight teams, a deal is achievable.
Casey Mittelstadt
Age: 27 (in November)
Size: 6’1″, 195 lbs
Contract: $5.75 million AAV for two more seasons
2024-25 Stats: 15 Goals, 40 Points
The Skinny: Mittelstadt offers similar offensive upside, having also posted a 59-point career high. However, he comes with a higher price tag and less defensive utility. The fact that he fell out of favor in Colorado before being moved to Boston is a red flag for some. He has no trade protection, making him easy to move, but the question remains if he is the right piece for the price.
Why Vancouver Should Make the Call
The answer is simple: depth and certainty. As the hosts noted, the Canucks are one center injury away from being in “desperate straits.” Acquiring a player like Zacha or Mittelstadt would instantly solidify their top nine.
It would provide a proven NHL center to slot behind Elias Pettersson, taking the pressure off a young player like Aatu Räty. Relying on Räty to be the second-line center is a “hope bet,” not a plan. A trade would allow him to develop in a more sheltered third or fourth-line role.
While the cost of acquisition is a major factor—likely involving a young roster winger like Nils Höglander and a top prospect or draft pick—the Canucks’ mandate is to make the playoffs and take no steps back. In the world of NHL team building, sometimes the cost of inaction is greater than the cost of a trade. This appears to be one of those times.
Your Hub for Canucks News and More
For the latest Vancouver Canucks news, to join an online hockey pool for cash prizes, or to find out how to watch the Canucks game on TV today, make sure to add nhltraderumor.com to your bookmarks. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter below to get all the breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.