What’s going on with Zegras?

[57special]

He has cleaned up most of his immaturity
- Plays in all 3 zones, competing on the boards
- doesnt sing taylor swift on the bench
- doesnt take many bad penalties

I think he is making progress as a complete player, saying he isnt progressing is underselling him. Now its at a point where you need to find the balance of being a solid 3 zone player, but start adding in your creativity/flare which makes you such a weapon offensively into that game.... People just need to learn to be patient with young players, hes still just 23, has 2 60 point seasons under his belt, and now improving the details of his game in all 3 zones, when the points start flowing(and they will), hes going to be a fantastic player.

If he is ever going to be a good NHL'er this is a must.

 

[Ghetty Green]

He leaves a lot to be desired. A one-dimensional scorer who isn’t scoring a whole lot. Probably explains why he hasnt returned the haul some expected.

Hes the American Kyle Wellwood

 

[Rabid Ranger]

He was definitely overrated quite a bit but with that being said, I wouldn't be shocked at all if he has a Middlestadt type of breakout. Hits 25 or so, gains a bit of weight and all of a sudden the points start coming again.

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him get moved, and the team that picks him up be pleasantly surprised with what they end up getting. The Ducks have too many players ready to pass him with how he's been playing lately though

Mittelstadt breakout? Zegras has already topped 60 points twice. Maybe Casey will do that this year.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Middlestadt breakout? Zegras has already topped 60 points twice. Maybe Casey will do that this year.

Zegras has 1 injury plague season, and he becomes the most underrated player in the league. Unless fowler was on unit 1... but i coulda sworn that it was minty/zell

Its crazy

 

[LuGBuG]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851995039494476134

Pretty good video showing zegras growing/maturing in all 3 zones… the production will come.

A lot of him doing things people wanted to see him do, or claim he doesn’t do.

Before when he’s scoring, he doesn’t play defense, production doesn’t matter

Now he’s maturing and paying attention to details and people complain about production

Haters gunna hate it seems

Yeah it’s clear to us that watch. Eventually both will come together.

18 points pace. Ouch.

About as unsustainable as it gets.

 

[John Mandalorian]

Yeah it’s clear to us that watch. Eventually both will come together.


About as unsustainable as it gets.

You think he'll do even less? Yikes! That's like John Gibson.

 

[Beau Knows]

It's weird how he gets so much blowback for a being a good player who makes the occasional play of the year contender type of highlight. It feels like he'd get less criticism if he'd didn't make some of those amazing plays, which is just nonsensical to me. He's a good player, and those ESPN highlights are a nice bonus, not a mark of his inability to live up to some made-up expectations.

He's just not a top-20 type player in the league or whatever, even if a new fan might think that by seeing some of his highlights. He's a good player on a bad team, and he's going through a rough stretch of games. It happens.

 

[BayStBullies]

Overrated player with some gimmicks. Settling into what he always has been.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Overrated player with some gimmicks. Settling into what he always has been.

He’s prob become underrated now, he’ll be fine.

 

[benfranklin]

Dude needs a real coach to get the most out of him.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

He looked good with Cutter and Killorn today. But Cronin as the coach is likely not good for anyone in Anaheim.

 

[eco's bones]

He has cleaned up most of his immaturity
- Plays in all 3 zones, competing on the boards
- doesnt sing taylor swift on the bench
- doesnt take many bad penalties

I think he is making progress as a complete player, saying he isnt progressing is underselling him. Now its at a point where you need to find the balance of being a solid 3 zone player, but start adding in your creativity/flare which makes you such a weapon offensively into that game.... People just need to learn to be patient with young players, hes still just 23, has 2 60 point seasons under his belt, and now improving the details of his game in all 3 zones, when the points start flowing(and they will), hes going to be a fantastic player.

You're right. Sometimes patience is the best thing you can do. Rangers fans have been through this with a number of players.....notably Lafreniere but specifically Kakko. That said Kakko looks a lot better this year and the line he's on with Chytil and Cuylle has consistently been the Rangers best so far through 9 games. They have not had a bad or even a subpar game. Our last one against the Caps was awful but that line was good when pretty much everyone else other than Igor was bad. As of yet there has not been a single even strength goal against.....not that I suspect that's going to last but it is kind of remarkable this deep into the season.

It doesn't hurt to stick with a guy with the caveat that that player continues to want to play for you. That's another thing and I don't follow the Ducks enough to say but If Zegras gets to the point of frustration that he wants to leave you're probably going to have to move him.

 

[HanSolo]

Overrated player with some gimmicks. Settling into what he always has been.

Second highest scoring American player in a single U-20 WJC ever leading into back to back 60 point seasons in the NHL. I mean it's fine if you think he's cooked but you don't have to make shit up to make your point.

 

[newfy]

Mittelstadt breakout? Zegras has already topped 60 points twice. Maybe Casey will do that this year.

I dont think Zegras has ever looked the part of a first line NHL center, I think Middlestadt is starting too. Zegras always struck me as a lot of flash while being solid. Middlestadt was one of those skilled guys that now is turning that flash into really effective, borderline first line center type play.

I've never thought Zegras was as effective as Middlestadt seems to be becoming. I think all the losing in Anaheim might be effecting Zegras

 

[Telos]

I actually like Zegras, he has struggled more than I expected recently, but also there are a lot of factors going on in Anaheim. He's one of those players where if he were moved to a different team and given a different opportunity and spotlight I could see him popping off again or if he sticks around with the Ducks long enough I can see the same happening. Definitely has the skill, but there's also gotta be questions somewhere over motivations and morale along with the roster and system they are using.

 

[BlueAzN]

Dude has talent, but his playstyle leans towards showing talent over production. His production will never match his talent.

 

[lwvs84]

Last 2 games have been his two best, and he's been at C. His line had the only goal last night and could have had two or three more if Gauthier could just finish (Killorn was the other wing on that line)

 

[FiveTacos]

Last 2 games have been his two best, and he's been at C. His line had the only goal last night and could have had two or three more if Gauthier could just finish (Killorn was the other wing on that line)

His last 11 games last season where he had 8 points were also at C, with Carlsson out.

It may be that what's wrong is he's just not a very good winger.

 

[Ducks]

His last 11 games last season where he had 8 points were also at C, with Carlsson out.

It may be that what's wrong is he's just not a very good winger.

I think this is a big part of it. Z is a playmaker and putting him on the wing limits his ability to do that. He's shown his whole career that he's best used as a center. So hopefully this prolonged experiment with him as a winger is over.

 

[lwvs84]

His last 11 games last season where he had 8 points were also at C, with Carlsson out.

It may be that what's wrong is he's just not a very good winger.

Yeah, hopefully Cronin will keep him at C. If all it takes to get Gauthier going is the first goal, he's been very close and if he hates up, that line will be dangerous.

 

[FiveFourteenSixOne]

I don't understand how this can be. I was told that his uncanny ability to scoop the puck off the ice with his stick blade guaranteed he would be an elite player in this league. I mean they don't make ANYBODY an EA cover athlete!!!!!

 

[Beau Knows]

I don't understand how this can be. I was told that his uncanny ability to scoop the puck off the ice with his stick blade guaranteed he would be an elite player in this league. I mean they don't make ANYBODY an EA cover athlete!!!!!

Why is it such a huge problem that a good player who seems to be quite marketable and well known (largely because of his "scoop" goals") is on the cover of a video game?

 

[Deviled]

Is Zegras playing center? Is this something that affects his game similarly to Jack Hughes?