Four weeks into the season, the Edmonton Oilers’ struggles have become undeniable. What began as a hopeful campaign marked by Connor McDavid’s surprising contract extension has devolved into a nightmare for last year’s Stanley Cup finalists.
Through 10 games, the Oilers have managed just four victories while failing to establish consistent line combinations. As Edmonton searches for solutions, recent speculation has linked the franchise to a $19 million Bruins forward.
Why Are The Oilers Interested In Trading For This Boston Center?
When the Oilers dropped their season opener to Calgary on Oct. 8 in overtime, most viewed it as an acceptable loss. However, the franchise has failed to find its rhythm, and head coach Kris Knoblauch’s strategies haven’t produced results.
His decision to unite Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the same line hasn’t delivered the expected production. First-line right winger Trent Frederic has underperformed expectations. This has prompted the organization to explore trade options to strengthen the top six.
Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha has emerged as a potential target. The 28-year-old is signed through the 2026-27 season on a four-year, $19 million contract. While the Bruins themselves struggle at 4-7-0, Zacha has performed well.
Through 11 games, he’s recorded nine points, drawing interest from multiple NHL general managers. Sources tell RG that the Oilers are among the interested parties.
“They could slide him in perfectly to the 3C role below [Connor] McDavid and Leon [Draisaitl] and I really think Pavel would prosper in a 3C role like that,” one source told RG. According to the source, Zacha fits better as Edmonton’s third-line center.
The source continued, “The Bruins and Oilers have already made two trades in the last year, so there’s some chemistry between [Stan] Bowman and Don [Sweeney] there.”
The established relationship between the front offices makes a deal plausible. Edmonton acquired Frederic in a three-way trade involving Boston and New Jersey at the 2025 trade deadline. The Oilers subsequently traded forward Viktor Arvidsson to Boston on July 1.
Sources indicate that while the Bruins haven’t committed to anything concrete, they’re fielding calls regularly and evaluating options as the season progresses. According to sources, Boston is listening to inquiries about Zacha, among other roster players.
The calls don’t necessarily signal imminent trades. Rather, the Bruins are gathering information in case they fall out of playoff contention early. “The management staff and the coaching staff have let the players know that they still believe in them, so we will see where this goes,” the source said.
However, after missing the playoffs last season, another disappointing campaign could force Boston’s hand on significant roster moves.
