Former Bruins executive's new role could make the Islanders a Pavel Zacha suitor

It would be a tough sell for the Boston Bruins to tell David Pastrnak that they are not only failing to add more offense around him, but they are also trading out a good friend and fellow Czechia forward, Pavel Zacha. However, the New York Islanders and their fans aren't too worried about Pastrnak's feelings, and after stealing Boston's assistant general manager, Mathieu Darche could make a push for Zacha as well.

No one in the Islanders' front office knows Zacha as well as Evan Gold, who was the assistant general manager of the Bruins for the past couple of years and also the general manager of the AHL affiliate. Gold left Boston's organization to take on the same role in New York, a year after watching Zacha put up a career-high 30 goals and 65 points.

Islanders fans who aren't locked into the Bruins night in and night out might tell everyone to pump the brakes on the Zacha discourse, as there isn't a friend and teammate as skilled as Pastrnak to feed off of in New York. However, Boston's first-year head coach Marco Sturm actually kept the Czechs apart this season, and Zacha helped lead a line of Casey Mittelstadt and Viktor Arvidsson to a surprising playoff appearance.

If it weren't for the stellar offensive play of Zacha's second line, the Bruins likely wouldn't have returned to the postseason after a one-year hiatus. Arvidsson, who was on his last legs in the NHL, also earned a career-saving two-year deal in Detroit after a season on Zacha's flank. Pastrnak might get all the love in Boston, but Zacha was no slouch as a complementary scorer.

Pavel Zacha's fit with the Islanders

The Islanders have a forward group similar to the Bruins. They may not have a gamebreaker like Pastrnak, but players like Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, and a returning Kyle Palmieri are no slouches on offense. New York wouldn't need Zacha to be their No. 1 option, and that complementary role is precisely where he excels.

With the Islanders barely missing out on the playoffs during the 2025-26 season, it would be easy to assume that another year of experience from Matthew Schaefer and another potential 65-point forward in Zacha would help get the team back into the postseason.

While some fans would like to see the Islanders go big-name hunting, Zacha might be the exact fit they need.

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