David Pagnotta just put the Pavel Zacha question to the Bruins on Daily Faceoff Live, and it's one Boston fans will want answered.
Nobody in Boston is panicking. The Bruins are 13-4-1, first in the Atlantic, and they beat the Panthers 4-1 on Sunday for their fourth straight win.
Zacha is a big part of that. He has 14 points in 17 games and a +7 rating, and he is in the final year of his contract.
Pagnotta asked it plainly: are the Bruins going to try to re-sign him, or keep him as their own rental? He also floated the idea that it might be in Zacha's best interest to wait until July 1, because the center market is going to be thin.
Pagnotta didn't stop at Zacha, either. He said it definitely looks like Sweeney and company are at least exploring.
The post is cut off, so what exactly Boston is exploring is not known. Nothing here is a done deal.
Does Boston keep Zacha or look elsewhere at center?
The context matters. Earlier today we reported that Frank Seravalli tied the Bruins to Dylan Larkin, and Larkin is a 30-year-old center with six points in 10 games for Detroit.
That connects the dots. If Boston is poking around the center market, then Zacha's future is not a side issue, it's part of the same conversation.
Our earlier report on Dylan Larkin and the Original Six race had the Canadiens right there with the Bruins.
My view: a first-place team should not be moving a center who has six power-play assists and a +7 rating just because the rental label fits. If Sweeney adds a center, it should be on top of Zacha, not instead of him.
Zacha and the Bruins host the Canadiens on Thursday, with the market still sitting there for everyone to watch.
Quick hits
WINNIPEG JETSConnor Hellebuyck says what his family went through in Winnipeg "crossed the line," Chris Johnston reports. That is a heavy statement from a goalie who left the building.
LOS ANGELES KINGSAnton Forsberg is listed as the Kings' starter tonight against the Predators, and Darcy Kuemper's status is still unclear. That one will draw questions.
UTAH MAMMOTHDylan Guenther is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game at Vegas. The Mammoth lineup is waiting on word.
NEW YORK ISLANDERSMathew Barzal, Matias Maccelli and Ryan Pulock were all in regular practice jerseys in San Jose this morning, according to Andrew Gross. Good sign for the Islanders.
MINNESOTA WILDMichael Russo reports Jared Spurgeon will come off injured reserve and return tonight in Montreal. The blue line gets a boost.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
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