Value of: Zegras to Pittsburgh

[Empoleon8771]

Just some speculation on my end, but the Ducks have apparently been scouting the Penguins WBS team a ton recently and I was curious what could make sense as a Penguins target. I think their younger talent (meaning the Gauthier, McTavish, Carlsson, ect) groups are all not moving, but Zegras caught my eye as someone who could be attainable via trade. He seems to have fallen out of favor with the Ducks, with him having a lot of injuries and losing his C/PP1 role in the past 2 years. The Penguins are absolutely starving for both young talent and young centers, so I feel like Zegras could be an enticing piece for the Penguins to pursue.

A piece I feel the Ducks could be interested in is Koivunen, who is one of the leading rookie scorers in the AHL this year and was one of the major pieces in the Guentzel trade last year. Koivunen is a winger, so they could eventually just put Koivunen in Zegras' old spot while the Penguins could play Zegras at center.

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[Epic Neal Time]

You'd probably be looking at a base of Koivunen + one of our three 1st round picks in 25/26, with some more on top of it. I personally wouldn't do it. I like Zegras but I don't think he moves the needle for this team for the assets you'd be giving up. I'm not sold on him as a true top-line forward, which is the price you'd be paying.

 

[Empoleon8771]

You'd probably be looking at a base of Koivunen + one of our three 1st round picks in 25/26, with some more on top of it. I personally wouldn't do it. I like Zegras but I don't think he moves the needle for this team for the assets you'd be giving up. I'm not sold on him as a true top-line forward, which is the price you'd be paying.

I don't think there is any way that Zegras has that kind of value right now. He has had about a 40 point pace in each of the last 2 years and seems to have fallen out of favor a bit with Anaheim.

Koivunen+ is what I'd guess as the return, but I'd throw out Koivunen and the Rangers 2027 2nd for Zegras.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Anaheim ain't gonna wanna sell low and PIT doesn't have what it takes to buy high, short of trading their own 2025 1st.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Just some speculation on my end, but the Ducks have apparently been scouting the Penguins WBS team a ton recently and I was curious what could make sense as a Penguins target. I think their younger talent (meaning the Gauthier, McTavish, Carlsson, ect) groups are all not moving, but Zegras caught my eye as someone who could be attainable via trade. He seems to have fallen out of favor with the Ducks, with him having a lot of injuries and losing his C/PP1 role in the past 2 years. The Penguins are absolutely starving for both young talent and young centers, so I feel like Zegras could be an enticing piece for the Penguins to pursue.

A piece I feel the Ducks could be interested in is Koivunen, who is one of the leading rookie scorers in the AHL this year and was one of the major pieces in the Guentzel trade last year. Koivunen is a winger, so they could eventually just put Koivunen in Zegras' old spot while the Penguins could play Zegras at center.

Honestly I think the Ducks are quite happy with the Zegras, and would never get full value out of trading him compared to his upside if it all comes together. He's been great since returning and the team has been notably better for it.

Here's some quotes from a recent article about the Ducks coach:

For all the warts and criticism that Trevor Zegras receives, he took everything in stride when challenged by Cronin last season to become a more complete player. Improvement was needed from him defensively and that was further reinforced by Zegras getting minimal ice time at the World Championships this past summer due to his subpar efforts.

“I think the one thing that I'm really proud of that he's done and he's taken and put into his value system is his ability to compete (and) to get on pucks,” Cronin said. “He steps into people, he's going to the netfront. He's trying to battle at the netfront. 
He's not a big guy, so he's not going to move people off the third circle area. But he's trying to get into those positions to attract attention, which might open up the ice for his teammates.

We’ve talked about this. Some of these kids, they just have never been told to do it. They've never been told to do things that they really don't want to do. 
And to his credit, he's really stepped into that footprint and he's tried.”

“It's interesting, for sure,” Zegras said on his relationship with Cronin. “When I first met him, we were on two different ends of the spectrum. He’s brought me a long way in terms of playing a more complete game. I know these guys (in the locker room), they like to joke about me backchecking and stuff, but I feel like I've always worked hard. I think he's shown me a lot in terms of the little details of the game and if there's a lot of pushback, I think, at the end, it all works out. I thank him for all the stuff that he's done to help me with my game.”

I can see why it may look like a buy-low situation from the outside, but it just isn't. Zero motivation to move this player for some prospect or a 2nd, nor does he badly need a change of scenery. He just needs to stay healthy for the rest of the year and breakout again with a new level of responsibility

 

[Epic Neal Time]

I don't think there is any way that Zegras has that kind of value right now. He has had about a 40 point pace in each of the last 2 years and seems to have fallen out of favor a bit with Anaheim.

Koivunen+ is what I'd guess as the return, but I'd throw out Koivunen and the Rangers 2027 2nd for Zegras.

That offer gets beat by most other teams, IMO, and I wouldn't want to see them go higher. Koivunen has been progressing too well

Teams (including Anaheim) will be looking at Necas suddenly breaking out and thinking "that could be Zegras...."

 

[BLNY]

Don't see the Ducks moving on from him as a depreciated asset. They're not in a rush. Unless he's a cancer, they'll keep him into next season and see if he rebounds in the last year of his deal.

 

[LuGBuG]

He seems to have fallen out of favor with the Ducks

Literally a quote from directly before the 4 Nations. I get coaches and GMs lie, but damn what an elaborate lie if he doesn’t like him.

 

[Empoleon8771]

View attachment 979189

Literally a quote from directly before the 4 Nations. I get coaches and GMs lie, but damn what an elaborate lie if he doesn’t like him.

I didn't mean that as they didn't like him, I meant it more as he's been surpassed by other guys. Maybe it's just due to injuries, but it seems like Zegras has lost his PP1 and top-6 C role that he had earlier in his career. That's what I meant when I said "fall out of favor".

I always figured Zegras was way better at C than he was at W, has he shown to be an effective winger? If so this proposal doesn't make sense, I was under the impression that Zegras lost his top-6 C spot and was more suited as a C than a W.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

I don't think there is any way that Zegras has that kind of value right now. He has had about a 40 point pace in each of the last 2 years and seems to have fallen out of favor a bit with Anaheim.

Koivunen+ is what I'd guess as the return, but I'd throw out Koivunen and the Rangers 2027 2nd for Zegras.

You greatly underestimate the need for centers with 1st line potential around the league then. Plenty of teams would offer that 1st + B prospect in a heartbeat if that's all it took

 

[BKarchitect]

Yeah there is zero chance the Ducks are going to deal Zegras for Ville Koivinen and a grab bag of picks.

I think the thought is nice from the Pittsburgh side - in effect, to try and do a little of what the Caps did with Strome, PLD, Chychrun and Thompson - buy low on high-level talent that could potentially blossom with a change.

I just don’t think we are even remotely to the point where the Ducks view Zegras like a Strome or PLD that they are trying to jettison…and because of that, not sure what Pittsburgh really has to tempt them with.

 

[Empoleon8771]

You greatly underestimate the need for centers with 1st line potential around the league then. Plenty of teams would offer that 1st + B prospect in a heartbeat if that's all it took

The Penguins 1st is going to be top-10, that's why I said that was too much for Zegras.

A late 1st and a B prospect for Zegras seems totally reasonable. The Penguins just don't have that, they have a high 1st or a high 2nd to offer.

If I was confident the Rangers wouldn't be completely ass next year, I would probably do the Rangers 1st and Koivunen for Zegras. But the Rangers look like a tire fire right now and I wouldn't want to gamble on that pick ending up very high.

 

[Gliff]

I don't use these words lightly.
Zero chance, for many reasons.

There is nothing the Pens have in their system now that I would consider as the main piece in a package. Their 2025 1st is the highest value thing they own and no chance I move Z for a top 10 pick in a weak draft.

The Ducks need to get better now. Z is part of the solution. No interest in trading him for a pick that likely wont touch NHL ice for 3 years.

I didn't mean that as they didn't like him, I meant it more as he's been surpassed by other guys. Maybe it's just due to injuries, but it seems like Zegras has lost his PP1 and top-6 C role that he had earlier in his career. That's what I meant when I said "fall out of favor".

I always figured Zegras was way better at C than he was at W, has he shown to be an effective winger? If so this proposal doesn't make sense, I was under the impression that Zegras lost his top-6 C spot and was more suited as a C than a W.

He has the 5th highest TOI for Ducks forwards at ES and on the PP. He hasn't lost his spot in the top 6, and Ryan Strome has more PP TOI then Zegras. I wouldn't try to figure out the coaches logic.
Ducks fans think Zegras is best at Center, Ducks coaching disagrees.

 

[lwvs84]

Injuries have really hurt Zegras. He's one of the few guys that looks dangerous with anyone he plays with. There's been a few issues with his usage that have hurt his stats. Cronin has wanted him to focus on the defensive side of his game, not a bad thing in the long run but hurts his stats now. He's been forced to play wing but looks significantly better at C, but Cronin refuses to use him there. The other is that he's a playmaker playing with Carlsson (another playmaker who is still adapting to the NHL) and Killorn (a 3rd line guy and not necessarily a great goal scorer). The other problem with that line is Z and Carlsson have chemistry and Z has chemistry with Killorn, but Carlsson and Killorn don't which limits the line.

Overall, Zegras has looked dangerous in virtually every game. The team looks better with him on the ice. Any deal for Zegras will probably be for an upgrade (Zegras + for something better), not multiple pieces back and downgrading quality.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

The Penguins 1st is going to be top-10, that's why I said that was too much for Zegras.

A late 1st and a B prospect for Zegras seems totally reasonable. The Penguins just don't have that, they have a high 1st or a high 2nd to offer.

If I was confident the Rangers wouldn't be completely ass next year, I would probably do the Rangers 1st and Koivunen for Zegras. But the Rangers look like a tire fire right now and I wouldn't want to gamble on that pick ending up very high.

Pretty sure the Rangers 1st is protected.

And read what I said again, teams would offer that instantly meaning it is probably still an underpayment.

From a Flames fan perspective I would probably offer Honzek and the Devil's 1st for him without much hesitation. So if you aren't topping that as an offer you probably aren't getting him.

 

[Rec T]

Unless he's a cancer,

Pretty much the opposite. The team's morale/outlook/attitude visibly improved when he returned from his latest injury.

Among all the other reasons that the Ducks won't trade him unless it's for one hell of a haul of quality & not quantity.

Now one of the many D in the pipeline or a F who hasn't gotten a real good look at the NHL level...maybe something there.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Pretty sure the Rangers 1st is protected.

And read what I said again, teams would offer that instantly meaning it is probably still an underpayment.

From a Flames fan perspective I would probably offer Honzek and the Devil's 1st for him without much hesitation. So if you aren't topping that as an offer you probably aren't getting him.

It's only protected for this year, it slides to an unprotected 2026 1st if they finish with a top-13 pick this year. That's why I'm hesitant to trade it, if the Rangers continue to suck that pick could easily be a top-10 pick in 2026.

If I knew that pick was going to be like 20th overall, I'd have no issues doing that plus Koivunen for Zegras. But we don't know where that pick is going to fall. But regardless, based on what Ducks fans are saying here a mid/late 1st isn't particularly appealing in a return for Zegras.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Ducks are stuck where Zegras is

- actually a good player and has showed it in the past
- isn’t playing as poorly as his counting stats indicate
- probably does need a change of scenery
- hard for other teams to pay up enough to motivate them to sell

It’s probably best for them to run it back next year unless an offer is truly too good to turn down. I think even if he doesn’t pick it up and still scores like 30-35 points next season someone will give up an early 2nd rounder still. And how different is that from a 1st in the teens-twenties.

if I was Verbeek I’d rather take the risk he figures it out than sell now for a 1st+Koivunen.

They should trade Zegras for EK65 tho

 

[Baksfamous112]

Strong rumor at the last draft was a deal was in place for Zegras. The cost was Mailloux + #21

So you’re probably looking at a similar price from Pitts if you want to pry him out

 

[TageGod]

Any interest in Zegras for Cozens swap? Chance of scenery for both players.

 

[Gliff]

Any interest in Zegras for Cozens swap? Chance of scenery for both players.

Zegras doesn't need a change of scenery. He needs a new coach and to stay healthy.

Strong rumor at the last draft was a deal was in place for Zegras. The cost was Mailloux + #21

So you’re probably looking at a similar price from Pitts if you want to pry him out

Ya I don't believe any rumors coming out of Montreal. Sorry. Especially a trash return like that.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Nice idea, but Ducks fans obviously still value him too highly for it to be a buy low situation, which it would have to be at his cap hit and production.

We'll just have to add "3rd line guy" McTavish instead.

 

[quackquackquack]

Man not another thread of this nonsense. Zegras has made major strides in his overall game this year. The staff is really happy with him and he seems to be really happy in Anaheim. Bye.

 

[hamzarocks]

Zegras doesn't need a change of scenery. He needs a new coach and to stay healthy.


Ya I don't believe any rumors coming out of Montreal. Sorry. Especially a trash return like that.

Thats not a trash return its more than a player like zegras is worth

Maxilloux + Hage (taken 21st) is a very good offer for a player who has been unhealthy and unproductive for 60 games now

 

[Baksfamous112]

Ya I don't believe any rumors coming out of Montreal. Sorry. Especially a trash return like that.

“Trash return like that”

Not only can the kid can’t stay healthy but he’s been pacing for ~39 points per season over the last two years and carry a 6.5M cap hit.

He’s 23 years old going 24 in a month. The guy isn’t physical at all and couldn’t play D to save his life. He’s a Jo Drouin 2.0 and certainly wouldn’t warrant the kind of return you have in mind. Let’s not act like he’s some sort of prize right now.

Man not another thread of this nonsense. Zegras has made major strides in his overall game this year. The staff is really happy with him and he seems to be really happy in Anaheim. Bye.

Oh yeah I bet they’re very happy with him pacing at 39 points yet again at his current cap hit. They must be amazed by his high end play at the moment

Thats not a trash return its more than a player like zegras is worth

I can’t believe people in Anaheim are still living in la la land regarding Zegras.