NHL Players Vote Trevor Zegras the League's Most Overrated

A recent poll of 101 anonymous NHL players voted Anaheim Ducks young star forward as the league's most overrated player. Is it valid?

The Athletic recently released an article where they polled anonymous NHL players on a variety of topics. The polls included topics like “Who is the NHL’s best player?”, “Who is the best goalie?”, “Who is the player you’d most like to punch?”, etc. Among the less traditional questions asked was “Who is the most overrated player in the league?” The most popular answer receiving 12.87% of the votes was none other than Anaheim Ducks forward, Trevor Zegras. The next closest was Darnell Nurse, defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers, who received 7.92% of the votes. 101 current NHL players provided an answer to this particular question.

Trevor Zegras’ teammates predictably came to his defense. His 2023-24 campaign has been riddled with injury. He has missed 29 of the Ducks’ 49 games to date with an undisclosed injury (Nov 7-Dec 23) and a broken ankle (Jan 11-present). The production we’re accustomed to seeing from the young star forward in Anaheim hadn’t fully shown before his latest injury as in 20 games, he managed just four goals and three assists.

The first two-plus seasons of Trevor Zegras’ young career had been very productive. He tallied 13 points in 24 games during the 2020-21 season, 61 points in 75 games in his rookie season (2021-22), and 65 points in 81 games in his sophomore season (2022-23). Along with those 139 points in 180 games (in a time when the Ducks frequented the bottom of the NHL standings), he dazzled on the ice, filling highlight reels and electrifying crowds with countless creative and skillful plays. These new-age, zany plays are only rivaled by his bubbly, zany personality. The NHL marketing machine took notice of this bright young star.

For his entire rookie season, NHL fans seemingly couldn’t escape Trevor Zegras. From his two “Michigan” goals to his internet-breaking “Dish-igan” assist to bringing a Star Wars plush to a press conference, the forward was featured anywhere and everywhere. He even donned the cover of EA Sports’ NHL23 video game alongside Sarah Nurse. Zegras fatigue seemed inevitable and pushback was unsurprising.

Critics of his on-ice performance will state he’s “all style, no substance” and doesn’t put forth enough effort on the defensive side of the puck. While the latter argument has its merits, the substance of his offensive game can’t be overlooked. His deceptive and misinformative nature with the puck on his stick leaves defenders constantly guessing as to what his intentions are therefore rendering them frozen and hesitant. He can survey the ice and calculate at a lightning-quick rate and instinctually knows where the other nine skaters are positioned and moving along with the opposing goaltender. The vision and hockey IQ Zegras possesses combined with some of the best hands that have ever grabbed a hockey stick gives him truly lethal potential in transition and in the offensive zone.

When Greg Cronin took over behind the Ducks’ bench in 2023-24, he brought with him a style and system that was exceptionally detail-oriented and demanding on the defensive side of the puck. There was a clear objective to develop quality fundamental defensive habits from Trevor Zegras. Before his first injury, though he wasn’t filling scoresheets, his defensive output was notable. He was able to translate his offensive instincts and IQ to the defensive aspects of the game. He cleverly engaged in puck battles and baited puck carriers into poor decisions. Zegras would deftly dissect breakouts as an F3 forechecker and disrupt exits, effectively killing plays and turning up ice to catch opponents flat-footed.

It is understandable as to how a player like Trevor Zegras can be viewed by many as "overrated." However, to be as productive as he’d been at such a young age and on teams that dwelled amongst the league’s worst while providing a true offensive threat and impact is impressive. If the strides he and the coaching staff made in his defensive game early in the season resume upon return from injury, it will go a long way toward making him a more complete player.