While everyone was waiting for Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci’s decisions to be finalized, the Bruins began Day 1 of free agency with a trade.
The Bruins announced Wednesday afternoon that they have traded Erik Haula to the New Jersey Devils for Pavel Zacha.
Zacha is a 25-year-old center/left wing who is currently a restricted free agent. He had a career-high 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 70 games this past season while playing 16:51 per game and winning 50.1% of his faceoffs. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, he adds some size to the Bruins’ middle-six forward group.
Zacha made $2.25 million per year on his most recent deal.
Haula, 31, had 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) with the Bruins last season. After getting off to a slow start, he took off after being put on the second line between Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak. If Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are both returning to the Bruins, as is expected, Haula would have been moved down in the lineup this year.
Haula is due to make $2.375 million this season on the final year of his deal.