NHL Rumor Mill – June 22, 2026

by | Jun 22, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – June 22, 2026

What’s next for the Senators and Panthers following the Brady Tkachuk trade? Are the Blues interested in Elias Pettersson? Could Dylan Larkin’s trade request affect Alex DeBrincat’s future with the Red Wings? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

FALLOUT FROM THE BRADY TKACHUK TRADE

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch believes the Senators are going “big-game hunting” to find a suitable replacement for Brady Tkachuk, whom they traded to the Florida Panthers on Sunday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: You can read my take on that trade here.

According to Garrioch, a league executive said he expects the Senators will use some of the assets they received in the Tkachuk trade (three first-round picks and a second-rounder) to pursue a top-six forward in the trade market.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

It’s believed they will step up their efforts to acquire center Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks. The Senators are seeking a forward to play alongside first-line center Tim Stutzle, and they’re not going to find that forward in this year’s upcoming free-agent market. It’s believed the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers are also interested in McTavish, who has five years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $7 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators could dangle one of those first-rounders to the Ducks for McTavish, but the Ducks could prefer more than that, such as an established young player.

Garrioch believes the Senators might revisit their interest in Pittsburgh Penguins wingers Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. They also had an interest in St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou, but he won’t waive his no-trade clause to come to Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rust lacks no-trade protection, but he’s also Sidney Crosby’s linemate, which could ensure he stays put in Pittsburgh. Rakell has an eight-team no-trade list, and if Ottawa’s on it, they’ll have to look elsewhere.

Garrioch noted that Kyrou’s unwillingness to come to Ottawa will be an issue if they pursue players with some form of no-trade protection.

THE FOURTH PERIOD’s Dave Pagnotta reports sources claim the Senators are “making a big push” for Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson. If a trade can’t be worked out and he becomes a restricted free agent on July 1, the Senators could present him with a significant offer sheet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators have over $25 million in salary-cap space for 2026-27 and all their first-round picks to sign Robertson to a lucrative offer sheet with an AAV over $11.6 million.

The only sticking point is whether the 26-year-old Stars winger wants to sign with the Senators.

If the Senators are going to pursue Robertson in a trade, they better make sure he’s willing to sign an extension. He lacks no-trade protection and can be sent anywhere, but he’s also a year away from UFA eligibility.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan believes the Panthers acquisition of Tkachuk takes them out of the running for Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings. The Panthers were reportedly on Larkin’s three-team list of preferred destinations, which also included the Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed the Wild are Larkin’s true destination. The Panthers’ acquisition of Tkachuk suggests they weren’t seriously entertaining Larkin as a trade option.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: David Dwork reports the Panthers still have to address their goaltending situation. Starter Sergei Bobrovsky and backup Daniil Tarasov are UFA-eligible on July 1, and Bobrovsky’s contract demands (six-seven years, $42 million) could price him out of Florida.

The Panthers have just over $7 million in cap space to work with. Dwork noted that Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets and Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues have surfaced in the rumor mill.

Given what the Panthers parted with to get Tkachuk, it’s unlikely they have sufficient assets to pry Hellebuyck away from the Jets. Binnington could be a more affordable target, but the Panthers would still have to free up salary to take on his $6.1 million cap hit and to have enough space to fill out the remainder of their roster.

Dwork suggested Devin Cooley of the Calgary Flames as a bargain option. They could also take a look at Penguins pending UFA Stuart Skinner.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames re-signed Cooley to a two-year contract in December as Dustin Wolf’s backup, so it’s doubtful they’ll part with him unless the Panthers are willing to overpay.

Skinner could be the Panthers’ best option if there’s nothing suitable in the trade market.

ARE THE BLUES INTERESTED IN ELIAS PETTERSSON?

DONNIE & DHALI: Rick Dhaliwal recently reported the Vancouver Canucks could move Elias Pettersson this summer if they can find a club willing to take on his contract.

Dhaliwal indicated that a source told him the St. Louis Blues were “sniffing around” the 27-year-old center, adding that he’s looking into it.

Pettersson has six years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $11.6 million. He’s underachieved since signing that deal two years ago. Nevertheless, Dhaliwal pointed out that teams are desperate for centers, and some of them believe they can turn him back into a point-per-game player.

The Canucks don’t want to retain salary or take on a bad contract for Pettersson because they’re trying to offload.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s hard to envision a trade scenario where the Blues (or anyone else) takes on Pettersson’s full cap hit without the Canucks taking back an expensive contract as part of the return. Teams may be desperate for help at center, but they’re probably not that desperate.

COULD DYLAN LARKIN’S TRADE REQUEST AFFECT ALEX DEBRINCAT’S FUTURE?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber recently noted that the Washington Capitals need secondary scoring. She wondered if Alex DeBrincat of the Detroit Red Wings might be available.

Silber noted a report by Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, where he suggested that DeBrincat’s future with the Red Wings could be in doubt if they honor Dylan Larkin’s trade request.

DeBrincat, 28, has a year remaining on his contract with an AAV of $7.875 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to find out how Larkin’s eventual departure could affect the Red Wings’ efforts to sign DeBrincat to an extension. He could end up on the trade block this summer if he decides to test the market next summer.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 22, 2026

by | Jun 22, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 22, 2026

The fallout from the Panthers acquiring Brady Tkachuk, the Kraken re-signed Bobby McMann, the Oilers inked Jason Dickinson to an extension, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators decided to trade Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers after the 26-year-old winger informed them that he wouldn’t re-sign with them. They received three first-round picks and a second-rounder from the Panthers on Sunday.

Tkachuk is under contract through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $8.2 million and a full no-movement clause. The earliest the Senators could’ve signed him to an extension was July 1, 2027. However, he told general manager Steve Staios that he had no plans to sign an extension when the two met last month. Tkachuk publicly denied the trade speculation that swirled around him this year, but privately, he told teammates he wouldn’t be returning after his contract expired.

Ottawa Senators trade Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. (NHL Images).

Staios had been adamant that he wasn’t trading Tkachuk, but his hand was now forced. The winger was willing to waive his NMC for the Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Panthers. However, it was apparent when they explored the market that the Panthers would be the only acceptable destination for the Tkachuk camp, reuniting him with his brother, Matthew Tkachuk.

The Wild reportedly made a hard push, but Zito ultimately made the better offer, sending the Senators assets that could be used as trade chips. Garrioch claimed the Senators tried to get Carter Verhaeghe or Anton Lundell as part of the return, but the Panthers wouldn’t budge.

Staios was seeking a top-six winger, a top-four right-side defenseman and a backup goaltender. Now, he needs to add a suitable replacement for Tkachuk to the mix.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators hold three first-round picks (No. 9, 25, and 32) in the upcoming NHL Draft. He could retain one or more of them, but it wouldn’t be shocking if he uses them to address one or two of his current roster needs, preferably with established players who are in the mid-to-late twenties.

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus believes the Tkachuk trade is the latest in a trend of players with term remaining on their contracts forcing trades to preferred destinations. That list includes Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild, while Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings and Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers recently made trade requests.

Lazerus also pointed out that it’s not about going to no-tax states. First and foremost, the players want to join teams where they believe they have a chance to win. Going to cities where the spotlight isn’t as glaring is another attraction.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lazerus believes the rising salary cap and lack of depth in the free-agent market could lead to more notable stars becoming available in the trade market by leveraging moves to landing spots of their choosing, especially if they have no-trade protection. Most of those moves could involve players on teams struggling to build or maintain a contender.

The addition of Tkachuk gives the Panthers one of the best groups of top-nine forwards in the league.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers’ top nine features Aleksander Barkov centering wingers Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett as the second-line center between the Tkachuk brothers, with Anton Lundell between Brad Marchand and Eetu Luostarinen.

Panthers GM Bill Zito probably isn’t done making moves over the next couple of weeks. He must replace or re-sign goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov. They have over $7 million in cap space, with 19 roster players signed for next season.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: On the same day the Kraken acquired winger Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers, they announced that winger Bobby McMann has signed a six-year contract with an AAV of $5.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken re-signed the 30-year-old McMann because they’re desperate for offense. The late-blooming winger scored 20 goals last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and had a career-high 29 goals in 79 games this season with the Leafs and Kraken, including 10 goals in 18 games with the latter.

Samoskevich was shipped to the Kraken yesterday in exchange for the 25th overall pick in this year’s draft and a conditional second-rounder in 2027. The Panthers used that first-rounder as part of the return to Ottawa for Tkachuk.

The 23-year-old Samoskevich saw checking-line duty with the Panthers, but he could see a larger role with the Kraken. He’s a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract and should be an affordable re-signing. Samoskevich is also a former teammate of Kraken center Matty Beniers at the University of Michigan. 

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers signed center Jason Dickinson to a five-year contract with an AAV of $4 million. Dickinson, 30, was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Oilers acquired him before the March trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jim Matheson of the Journal explained that the Oilers were pleased with Dickinson’s defensive play and how well he fit into their dressing room following his acquisition from the Chicago Blackhawks.

It’s an affordable re-signing by the Oilers for a reliable third-line center. However, Matheson pointed out that they now have $10.6 million remaining with 18 players under contract. It won’t leave much room to re-sign pending UFA blueliner Connor Murphy, find a replacement or a backup for starting goalie Tristan Jarry, and fit in whatever player they get whenever they take action on Darnell Nurse’s trade request.

DAILY FACEOFF: The New York Rangers signed goalie Dylan Garand to a two-year contract worth $875K per season at the NHL level. The first year of the deal is two-way, while the second is one-way.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The ECHL’s New Mexico Goatheads have hired Zack Stortini as their head coach. Stortini, a former NHL player, spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners.

The Goatheads are the ECHL affiliate of the Avalanche.










Panthers to Acquire Brady Tkachuk From Senators, Trade Mackie Samoskevich to Kraken

by | Jun 21, 2026

Panthers to Acquire Brady Tkachuk From Senators, Trade Mackie Samoskevich to Kraken

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the Ottawa Senators are close to trading Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers.

Ottawa Senators trade Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. (NHL Images).

LeBrun believes the Senators will receive three first-round draft picks plus a second-round pick if the deal is finalized.

Earlier in the day, the Panthers traded forward Mackie Samoskevich to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for the No. 25 pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional second-round pick in 2027.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the picks are the No. 9 and 25 selections in this year’s draft, a first-rounder in 2029, and a second-rounder in 2030. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers general manager Bill Zito appeared to be setting the stage for something when he shipped out Samoskevich and got back that first-round pick as part of the return. Considering the Panthers are built to win now, it was apparent that he would use that pick, along with his own first in this year’s draft, as bait to bring in an established top-six forward.

The Senators now have three picks in the first round of this year’s draft, as they also held the 32nd overall selection. It’ll be interesting to see what GM Steve Staios intends to do with them. He’s either preparing for a roster retool or rebuild, or he’ll use them as bait to find a suitable replacement for Tkachuk.

Whatever Staios does, this feels like the end of an era in Ottawa. Tkachuk was the face of the Senators going back to when he was chosen fourth overall in the 2018 Draft. For the past eight seasons, he was their leader, part of the young group of promising players expected to turn the Senators into Stanley Cup contenders.

The Senators made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, but they were eliminated from the first round both times. Meanwhile, trade rumors dogged Tkachuk throughout those seasons. Despite his denials and those of Staios, the speculation never went away, with a lot of it claiming he’d like to one day join his brother, Matthew, on the Panthers.

So now, the Tkachuk brothers are reunited in Florida at last. Having those two together could boost the Panthers’ hopes of staging another run at the Stanley Cup, provided they avoid another rash of injuries to their core players.

With Brady’s $8.205 million AAV through 2027-28 added to the Panthers’ ledger, PuckPedia indicates they have just over $7 million in projected cap space for next season, with 19 active roster players signed.

That won’t leave enough to re-sign or replace goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov, meaning Zito likely isn’t done making moves, either through more trades or free agency.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 21, 2026

by | Jun 21, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 21, 2026

Check out the latest on the Sabres’ Bowen Byram, the Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky, and Devils defensemen Dougie Hamilton and Simon Nemec in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn looked at what the Buffalo Sabres should do with Bowen Byram.

The Sabres are reportedly receiving inquiries from multiple teams into the 25-year-old defenseman’s availability. He’s a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility with a cap hit for 2026-27 of $6.25 million, and lacks no-trade protection.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

AFP Analytics projects Byram could receive an AAV of $9.5 million on his next contract. However, Fairburn believes it’ll be higher after the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Darren Raddysh to a long-term deal worth an AAV of $8.5 million.

Fairburn cited Byram saying last year that his role would factor into whether he’d sign a long-term deal with the Sabres. While he saw more power-play time this season, he’s not going to supplant Rasmus Dahlin on their top defense pairing.

The Sabres could hang onto Byram and let him play out the final season of his contract, but he’s also their most intriguing trade chip.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Byram has informed Sabres management that he’s not going to sign an extension, it’s only logical that they would explore the trade market. They could seek a return that replaces power forward Alex Tuch, who seems headed to free agency on July 1. The savings from moving Byram could also be put toward re-signing Tuch and restricted free agent winger Zach Benson, or in adding a blueliner to replace him.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards weighed in on a recent report by Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, who claimed Sergei Bobrovsky wants a six- or seven-year deal worth $42 million to re-sign with the Panthers.

Richards indicated that the Panthers are continuing to negotiate with the Bobrovsky camp. However, they’re also believed to be keeping an eye on a potential replacement, noting they’ve been linked to Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues and Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers would have an easier time landing Binnington than they would Hellebuyck, who has not indicated he’s seeking a trade or willing to waive his no-movement clause. The Jets’ asking price would also be too high for them, because it would likely include center Anton Lundell.

Binnington has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $6.1 million and a 10-team no-trade list. His cap hit is more affordable than Hellebuyck’s $8.125 million (and no, the Jets won’t retain salary), and the Blues’ asking price won’t be as steep.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes that Darren Raddysh coming off the free-agent market shouldn’t adversely affect the Devils’ efforts to move a defenseman such as Dougie Hamilton or Simon Nemec.

Devils GM Sunny Mehta’s priority is adding more scoring punch to his forward lines. Hamilton or Nemec could be used as trade bait to address that need.

Hamilton, 32, has been the subject of trade conjecture since last summer. However, the 22-year-old Nemec is generating plenty of interest around the league. He’s a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights on July 1.

Teams that could be in the market for a right-shot defenseman include the Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders and Utah Mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hamilton and Nemec have been fixtures in the rumor mill for months. One of them could be playing with a new team before the summer’s over.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 21, 2026

by | Jun 21, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 21, 2026

The Hurricanes celebrate their Stanley Cup championship with a record-setting parade in Raleigh, the latest on Stars forwards Jason Robertson and Jamie Benn, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM/THE NEWS & OBSERVER: An estimated record-setting crowd of over 180,000 people turned out in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, to watch the Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup parade on Saturday.

The parade began at 11 am ET with the team and their families perched on the open-top decks of double-decker buses, arriving at City Plaza an hour later, where the players, general manager Eric Tulsky, and head coach Rod Brind’Amour took turns speaking to the fans.

Tulsky took care of a piece of business during the gathering, announcing the signing of winger Nicolas Deslauriers to a two-year contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations again to the Hurricanes and their fans for their well-deserved championship run.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars general manager Jim Nill appeared on Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket (KTCK-AM) on Saturday.

Among the topics Nill talked about were Jason Robertson’s contract negotiations and the future of team captain Jamie Benn.

Nill said the club’s priority remains signing Robertson to an extension. He indicated that the discussions continue, but there are currently no real deadlines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson’s contract status and the ongoing negotiations have drawn considerable interest around the league. The outcome could have far-reaching consequences for the Stars.

Since his debut in 2020-21, Robertson has been among the league’s highest-scoring forwards. He sits 11th overall with 489 points in 453 games, making him the highest-scoring member of the Stars during this period.

Robertson is completing a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7.75 million. He’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer, and is a year away from being eligible for unrestricted free-agent status.

It’s rumored that Robertson could seek a deal comparable to teammate Mikko Rantanen’s eight-year contract ($12 million AAV). The Stars being in a no-tax state could help Nill get him signed to a new deal. However, they currently have $10.139 million, meaning they’ll have to make a cost-cutting trade or two to free up sufficient room to re-sign him.

Nill was asked about the possibility of another team taking advantage of the Stars’ limited cap space to sign forward Mavrik Bourque to an offer sheet. He acknowledged the scenario, adding that they’re also trying to get Bourque signed. Nill claimed they’ve got “different plans in place” for all these scenarios.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bourque is completing a one-year contract with a cap hit of $950,000. Like Robertson, he has arbitration rights. He’s coming off his sophomore season, scoring 20 goals and 21 assists for 41 points. Some observers believe he could flourish with an expanded role, making him a prime target for an offer sheet, provided he’s willing to sign one.

Nill said he intends to meet with team captain Jamie Benn after the upcoming NHL draft to see if he’s willing to return for another season.

“Like I said, we want him back,” Nill said. “He’s a big part of our team and I don’t see any, unless he thinks it’s time (to retire), then we’ll have to look at different directions.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Benn, 36, completed a one-year, bonus-laden contract with a $1 million base salary and a $3 million performance bonus. This season saw his lowest production in a non-lockout, non-COVID season, with 36 points in 60 games.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Utah Mammoth have reportedly hired former Vancouver Canucks head coach Adam Foote as an assistant coach.

NHL.COM: The Seattle Kraken hired former defenseman Justin Schultz in a player development role. Schultz spent 12 seasons in the NHL, spending his final two seasons with the Kraken from 2022-23 to 2023-24.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs could be tapping into the Calder Cup-winning Marlies roster for help next season. Among them could be forwards Easton Cowan and Jacob Quillan, defenseman Ben Danford, and goaltender (and playoff MVP) Artur Akhtyamov.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2026

by | Jun 20, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2026

Check out the latest on Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies and Morgan Rielly, and Bruins center Pavel Zacha in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

TSN: Chris Johnston provided an update on the Connor Hellebuyck trade rumors. He said that teams are calling the Winnipeg Jets about the 33-year-old goaltender, suggesting the possibility of moving him is more real now than it’s ever been at any stage in his career.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

However, Johnston indicated that it’s not a certainty that Hellebuyck gets traded. He added that things are at the conversation stage rather than any firm decisions being made.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets are built to win right now, which is why I believe Cheveldayoff won’t move Hellebuyck unless the latter wants out. So far, there is no indication that he’s done so.

This recent speculation appears to be based on Hellebuyck’s end-of-season comments, when he expressed frustration about his performance and that of his teammates this season, adding that things had to improve for the Jets to become Stanley Cup contenders.

There’s no doubt that teams are probably calling the Jets about Hellebuyck, and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is listening to their offers. However, we must remember that the three-time Vezina Trophy winner has a full no-movement clause, giving him full control over this situation, especially for potential destinations. Keep in mind that Cheveldayoff will set a high asking price that few teams will be willing to pay.

UPDATES ON KNIES AND RIELLY

TSN: Chris Johnston reports the Toronto Maple Leafs are gauging the trade market for Matthew Knies. They’re open to the possibility that he could fetch a return that helps them refresh and retool going forward. There’s a lot of interest in the 23-year-old power forward, who lacks no-trade protection in his contract.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan reports Maple Leafs GM John Chayka said a trade involving Knies would be “a tough bar to hurdle.” Chayka said the idea of the Leafs could improve their roster by trading a top young player was “not probable.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chayka seems to be keeping an open mind on the possibility of moving Knies. However, he sounds like he’s not actively shopping him and could set a price that most teams would find too high.

Meanwhile, Johnston believes there’s been “a little bit of progress” towards the Maple Leafs finding a landing spot for Morgan Rielly.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rielly is signed through 2029-30 with an AAV of $7.5 million and a full no-movement clause. Earlier this week, Koshan said that the 32-year-old defenseman hadn’t been asked yet to waive his NMC or to provide a list of landing spots.

COULD THE BRUINS TRADE PAVEL ZACHA?

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported the Boston Bruins are listening to trade offers for Pavel Zacha.

The 29-year-old center has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $4.75 million. He also has an eight-team no-trade list.

LeBrun claims the Bruins’ priority remains signing Zacha to a contract extension. How those talks go will be balanced by whether teams step up in a meaningful way in trade talks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun noted that the lack of available quality centers could boost Zacha’s market value. However, the Bruins are among the teams seeking depth at that position, so they are likely to keep Zacha in the fold.