Speculation Persists Over Trevor Zegras' Future With the Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks' GM denied shopping Trevor Zegras before the NHL trade deadline, but after the season, speculation continues about whether a trade is an option.

Trevor Zegras likely won't look back on 2023-24 with much fondness. 

Protracted contract talks between the 22-year-old forward's camp and Anaheim Ducks management forced him to miss training camp. Injuries sidelined him for all but 31 games.

Zegras became the subject of media trade chatter in January after the Ducks traded defenseman Jamie Drysdale to the Philadelphia Flyers for winger Cutter Gauthier. Pundits wondered where he fit into GM Pat Verbeek's plans. 

Verbeek denied shopping Zegras, but reports claimed the Montreal Canadiens were among several clubs inquiring into the winger's availability.

The speculation persisted as the Ducks finished near the bottom of the standings and out of playoff contention.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman observed the Ducks wanted Zegras to show them something after returning from a broken ankle late in the season. He rose to the challenge with eight points in his final 10 games. Nevertheless, Friedman felt there was a nagging sense that neither side was comfortable with the other. 

The Athletic's Eric Stephens reported Zegras was aware of the trade rumors swirling about him this season. He acknowledged it was difficult to miss and took some of the joy out of social media for him. Zegras also wondered where he fits within the composition of the Ducks roster and his future in Anaheim. 

Stephens noted Verbeek's earlier denials about shopping Zegras or getting calls about him. Nevertheless, the Ducks GM hasn't done much else to quell the ongoing trade whispers.

That chatter could increase following Verbeek's recent comments indicating his club will pursue a top-six right-shot forward and a top-four right-shot defenseman in the off-season.

The Ducks have $32.9 million in salary cap space if Verbeek goes the free-agent agent route to address that need. However, Zegras could be floated as a bargaining chip if the Ducks GM tests the trade market.