As the summer days roll on, the Montreal Canadiens’ search for a reliable second-line center remains one of the hottest topics in hockey circles.

With rumors swirling and speculation at an all-time high, fans and analysts alike are desperate to know who Kent Hughes might target to fill the crucial role behind Nick Suzuki.

While Mason McTavish’s name has dominated headlines, a surprising new candidate has just entered the conversation—one that could shake up the Eastern Conference and spark fresh intrigue in the offseason drama.

The latest twist comes courtesy of a well-connected insider with deep ties to the Boston Bruins, who dropped a name that few expected in a recent podcast appearance.

This revelation has set off a wave of debate, raising questions about both the Canadiens’ strategy and the Bruins’ intentions as they navigate a puzzling phase in their roster construction.

With contract details, positional uncertainty, and playoff ambitions all in play, the potential move could have far-reaching consequences for both franchises.

But is this just idle speculation, or is something bigger brewing behind the scenes? Fans are left wondering what’s really happening between Montreal and Boston—and whether a game-changing transaction is closer than anyone realized. The answers might surprise you.

Photo credit: NHL

The saga of the Montreal Canadiens’ second-line center continues to make headlines even during the summer season.

While many speculate that Mason McTavish is on Kent Hughes’ radar, a new name has just surfaced, and it’s Pavel Zacha.

Jimmy Murphy tells Kent Hughes to look toward the Boston Bruins to solve his issue

Zacha’s name was brought into the conversation during a recent edition of the podcast The Sick Podcast by journalist Jimmy Murphy.

What’s interesting here is that Murphy is very well connected with the Bruins.

Although he says it’s only speculation on his part, as Charles-Alexis Brisebois of DLC points out, there’s never smoke without fire.

We all know he’s very plugged in behind the scenes of the League, especially in Boston..

According to Murphy, Zacha would be a very short-term solution for the Canadiens and he isn’t sure whether he’s better on the wing or at center.

It’s also still unclear if Boston is willing to trade him or not.

In fact, their strategy since the trade deadline has been rather puzzling.

They claim to want to make a strong playoff push, yet act like a team that wants to stay in the mix while also getting younger.

Zacha, 28, is under contract for another two years with an average salary of $4.75M.

He has put up 57, 59, and 47 points in his last three seasons.

If he were to land in Montreal, there’s no doubt he would be an asset in the lineup.

You can listen to the discussion around the 39th minute of the podcast below.