Speculation: The Athletic-“So, it’s easy to imagine a scenario in which the Ducks move on from Zegras..."

[Rabid Ranger]

A team like the Blues should be all over this

 

[FiveTacos]

Do you think that his defensive improvements are coming at the cost of his offensive production or is his lack of point production this year for other reasons?

Early on when he was on Carlsson's wing I think they were both too similar ... He's better as the primary creator/puck carrier on a line, not the triggerman. He was getting/taking a lot of shots, but that's not the best part of his game.

2 points in his first 12 games mostly with Carlsson when Leo wasn't being sat, 5 points in 8 games after coming back (closer to his normal pace) and centering his own line.

Also can't forget that in addition to being hurt twice, he had no training camp. I really wouldn't read too much into this season, it's been a weird one for him.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

It's easy to imagine.

 

[zizbuka]

Zegras - Frost - Brink

This would be the best press box line in Torts history

No thanks, not interested in Zegras. When I watch the Ducks, he just doesn't seem like the kind to play into a team system. It might help push the Torts meltdown, but I'm just not a fan of Zegras. To me he's the prototypical style over substance kind of player.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Confirmed with link:


The Zegras

NHL 23 Cover Athletes - EA SPORTS

Experience the most connected Chel yet with the addition of women's players in Ultimate Team™ and Cross-Platform Matchmaking.

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"Anaheim Ducks center Trevor Zegras is one of the fastest rising superstars in the NHL, possessing an individuality and creativity like the league has never seen. Last season, Zegras' first full season in the NHL, he took the sports world by storm with his over-the-net pass and assist that has been dubbed "The Zegras." In his first full NHL season, Zegras was named Rookie of the Month, invited as a special guest to the All-Star Game Breakaway Challenge, and was named a finalist for NHL Rookie of the Year. Zegras is one of the youngest players to ever be featured on an NHL cover and a highly-skilled playmaker and innovative young talent that's ready to take NHL 23 by storm."

EA Sports Central Scouting

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Do you think that his defensive improvements are coming at the cost of his od him and we simply havnt had amuch offensive production or is his lack of point production this year for other reasons?

His offensive production is being blown out of proportion tbh but people that want zegras to fail... and people that prob havnt sat down and watched a ducks game all year(and trust me as a ducks fan i know its incredibly hard to watch anaheim play hockey the last few seasons). Hes still that same player that will attack dmen 1 on 1, pull off a flashy move, make a pass his teammates would never expect.

Im sure a little of it is due to him focusing a bit more on his defense/play away from puck.

But majority of it comes from a few thins
-Moving from center to wing, in his career hes always looked a tad bit more comfortable playing
center than wing
- Missing camp (partially his fault but also partially PV fault)
- He was def playing injured at the start of the season, and he looked much better after returning from the IR.
-too many injuries in our top 6, lack of chemistry...

I think the points woulda evened out over the course of the season, but unfortunetly he broke his ankle last week, so this season is more or less a lost season(like drysdales last year)... but youll basically find little to no duck fans that were disappointed in zegras play this year..

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Why does it seem that? They benched him for the defensive end of things from what I understood. I’ve never heard the team say or do anything that says they thinks he’s selfish either to be honest. Why do you think they agree with you?

No one that says that actually has a good reason to say it other than they dont like zegras.

And you prob wont find anyone that thinks hes a selfish player, immature/cocky sure but thats to be expected from a young american player.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Trading Zegras makes zero sense.

Verbeek traded Drysdale to fill the lack of forward depth the team had. To then go and trade one of your best young forwards would be down right dumb.

 

[BKarchitect]

Trading Zegras makes zero sense.

Verbeek traded Drysdale to fill the lack of forward depth the team had. To then go and trade one of your best young forwards would be down right dumb.

Agreed. This seems like typical media hype after a major trade. Connecting dots that don’t exist.

Would the Ducks listen? Sure, they are a rebuilding franchise, they should listen to nearly anything.

The Drysdale trade balances their assets. Z is still so young. He’s shown his ability. There’s no reason for the Ducks to feel urgency to do anything unless bowled over. Trading him because of a tough half of the season is a panic, sell low move.

They have their future talisman in Leo.

They have McTavish and Gauthier to bring the size in the top lines.

To me this really compliments and makes some intriguing future line-ups with Zegras and Terry bringing the “lightning” to the thunder.

The blueline is still in stellar shape moving forward - and you have to consider how deep this up-coming draft is in blueline studs in that top 5-10 range the Ducks will be picking in. I think that is an undervalued part of this calculus. Minty, Lacombe, Luneau, Zell, Hinds, Warren is still a pretty amazing crop of potential on the blueline but if you need a RHD to replace Drysdale long-term - this draft is loaded with guys like Levshunov, Yakemchuk, Jiricek and you may take into account that the Russians typically can play off-hand so that puts Silayev and Shuravin in play too.

 

[Rec T]

Wait, hold on… are you suggesting that Chicago would have to add a first with Bedard to get Carlsson?

No, I said 'anyone' could be available for a price. And the price for PV to go help Leo pack up his apartment would have to be absolutely insane ... such as Bedard and this year's first.

Now certainly Zegras isn't anywhere near those levels, but if you want to get the Ducks interested in trading him ... it's gotta be really good & not just a couple of dump trucks worth of used pucks

 

[JKG33]

I wouldn't say "fallen off" -- but his health is a concern; he's never going to get an opportunity to be 'the guy' on defense in Colorado with Makar and Toews clearly ahead of him; he has yet to settle into being the steady high end second pairing defender the Avs want him to be (and I'm not sure he wants to be that guy, it's not his playstyle -- he really wants to be far more of a rover); and the Avs desperately need a quality #2 center (and ideally one who is a 2+year solution) since Ryan Johansen is utterly useless. I'd happily move Byram and more for the right #2 center -- and Zegras would pretty much be perfect.

I appreciate the rundown. If they're set with a top pairing then I see why Byram could be expendable. I just don't see Zegras being the kind of 2C you want come playoff time. I don't think the offense is plentiful enough for how one dimensional he is.

I think you're underselling Zegras quite a bit...


I'm not even a huge Zegras fan by any means but he's produced 60+ points on some awful Anaheim teams, and this year was making legitimate strides in his defensive game before the injuries hit.


He's easily still got 70-80 point upside. Especially on the Avs where he may get to spend time on the Top PP with Mackinnon/Makar or might get a winger like Rantanen or Nichushkin or even Landeskog playing with him.


Byram has regressed, but I don't think offering him up in a Zegras deal is an indication of that regression by any means.

If anything I would say Byram+ for Zegras would be very similar to the Drysdale+ for Gauthier deal we just saw except involving two more NHL established players essentially.

I look at it as only 60 points... he's had every opportunity to succeed and that's the best he's got? I can't see him improving much on that in a lesser role on a better team. Look at someone like Karlsson on the Sharks.

The Avs could be a decent fit because of the strength on the wings and he'd obviously not be expected to be a 1C there. But I look at Byram as still a potential top pairing D, while Zegras looks like he could top out as a 70ish point one dimensional forward. I'm taking the d man every single time there.

60 points also ain't what it once was. Look at some of the guys clearing a point per game these last few years. Suddenly a offense first forward doesn't look so hot if that's the best he can do

 

[nbwingsfan]

All these overwhelming "The Ducks are going to trade Zegras" rumors seemed to start right with the Drysdale trade.

Apparently the "logic" of them is that both Drysdale & Zegras held out on contract negotiations during training camp. "Drysdale got traded therefore it's only logical that Zegras must be gone too..."

That's it, I've seen no other reason for them other than people making silly predictions to bring eyeballs to whatever hack column they wrote.

Could they trade him? Sure, pretty much anyone can be had for a price. If Chicago offered Bedard and their 1st this year for Carlsson, I'm sure PV would swing by Leo's apartment and help him pack. But unless it's one hell of a return, Zegras isn't going anywhere.

It could also have something to do with exactly what was said in the OP as well. He doesn’t seem to fit the team they’re trying to build and he’s having a brutal year

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Kevin Hayes pulling strings

 

[Crazy8oooo]

I think you're underselling Zegras quite a bit...


I'm not even a huge Zegras fan by any means but he's produced 60+ points on some awful Anaheim teams, and this year was making legitimate strides in his defensive game before the injuries hit.


He's easily still got 70-80 point upside. Especially on the Avs where he may get to spend time on the Top PP with Mackinnon/Makar or might get a winger like Rantanen or Nichushkin or even Landeskog playing with him.


Byram has regressed, but I don't think offering him up in a Zegras deal is an indication of that regression by any means.

If anything I would say Byram+ for Zegras would be very similar to the Drysdale+ for Gauthier deal we just saw except involving two more NHL established players essentially.

He’s a Kings fan. He’s allowing his Ducks hatred to cloud his judgment of a player who obviously has tremendous skill and has very good upside.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I appreciate the rundown. If they're set with a top pairing then I see why Byram could be expendable. I just don't see Zegras being the kind of 2C you want come playoff time. I don't think the offense is plentiful enough for how one dimensional he is.



I look at it as only 60 points... he's had every opportunity to succeed and that's the best he's got? I can't see him improving much on that in a lesser role on a better team. Look at someone like Karlsson on the Sharks.

The Avs could be a decent fit because of the strength on the wings and he'd obviously not be expected to be a 1C there. But I look at Byram as still a potential top pairing D, while Zegras looks like he could top out as a 70ish point one dimensional forward. I'm taking the d man every single time there.

60 points also ain't what it once was. Look at some of the guys clearing a point per game these last few years. Suddenly a offense first forward doesn't look so hot if that's the best he can do

You could just say “I hate zegras” and saved yourself the time typing

 

[Crazy8oooo]

You could just say “I hate zegras” and saved yourself the time typing

Nah man. 60+ points in both of your first two seasons is not good if you’re one dimensional. And he has no room for improvement, apparently.

 

[12ozPapa]

As a Ducks fan, I’d be more than OK trading Zegras. He is not what a winning team is built around. He will be a complimentary winger but he will never be a difference maker

 

[Crazy8oooo]

As a Ducks fan, I’d be more than OK trading Zegras. He is not what a winning team is built around. He will be a complimentary winger but he will never be a difference maker

I love Zegras and think he’s given a bad rap for being flashy. However, I’d also be ok with him being traded after his holdout, if he was against signing long term. (Assuming it’s a good return, of course)

 

[Colezuki]

Could see Montreal trade the 1st this year for him tbh

 

[HanSolo]

Ducks fans swear he's not getting dealt , i tend to believe them but why is there so much smoke

Smoke and farts are not the same thing.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Could see Montreal trade the 1st this year for him tbh

Depending where we draft I think that is 1 way I could see him being moved

 

[Anaheim4ever]

I would not be shocked if Zegras eventually requests a trade. After what he's been thru with injuries this year and the hold out that he might just want a fresh start. He's also seen himself go from being the 'face of the team' and even appearing on EA NHL game cover to seeing Carlsson and McTavish being more of the face of the Ducks going forward.

 

[Colezuki]

Depending where we draft I think that is 1 way I could see him being moved

Yeah, I think the way our GM builds he’d be up for it especially if it’s a pick around 8-12

 

[Kshahdoo]

They should trade him to the Flyers, him and Michkov together will be fun to watch. I'm pretty sure they will try to play hockey like it's lacrosse.

 

[Emerald Duck]

Can a Ducks fan explain to me why it took until October for Zegras to sign only a 3-year extension when Anaheim had brink trucks of money ready to offload in their young elite "immovable" asset?

That alone was all I needed to see that he doesn't want to be on that team for longer than he has to be. What don't people understand? The rift between Zegras/Verbeek already was opened and where there is smoke there's fire. You think a guy like Pat Verbeek has any sort of respect for Trevor's overall game? I see what he's building in Anaheim and trust me, it doesn't include a mosquito player like Zegras. This isn't Jack Hughes we're talking about. They're going to be a monster team come playoff time once they add another big rig winger.

My opinion:

Zegras camp reportedly wanted a short term deal based on long term dollars. He wanted Hughes/Caufield/Debrincat money based on the next year's salary cap, his on-ice performance and off ice marketability without sacrificing any UFA years.

While the Ducks' willingness to offer a longer term deal was not discussed, their initial offers were mid-$4M for 2-3 years. GMPV wanted to see more of a 200 ft game effort and commitment, as well as more on-ice maturity to cut down on the stupid penalties.

Eventually they compromised on the contract value for a 3 x $5.75M year deal in October.

His offensive struggles this year have been related to a new coach/new system, injuries, lack of finishers on his line and a difficulty transitioning to wing. He's focused on his defensive game this year with improvement but perhaps at a cost of his offensive contributions. His offensive play was picking up recently until he suffered a broken ankle.