Pat Verbeek Announces Plans for Trevor Zegras Upon His Return to from Injury
At the Anaheim Ducks annual "Ducks Migration" event, Pat Vebeek took the stage to answer questions. Among them was what was planned for Trevor Zegras when he's healthy.
Pat Verbeek Announces Plans for Trevor Zegras Upon His Return to from InjuryThe Anaheim Ducks held their exclusive second annual post-trade deadline “Ducks Migration” event for season ticket holders. The event was held at the team’s practice facility, Great Park Ice in Irvine, CA. Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek took the stage to answer cultivated questions asked by the team’s Color Commentator, Bryan Hayward.
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Verbeek was asked about Trevor Zegras’ return to the lineup and what his position will be moving forward.
“With Leo (Carlsson) and McTavish being there, we see them as our centermen,” Verbeek answered. “Trevor’s probably going to play the wing when he comes back.”
Some may remember that Zegras made his professional debut on the wing at the AHL level for the San Diego Gulls. After dominating at that level (nine points in eight games), he was recalled to the Ducks for his NHL debut. He played wing for his initial stint of 17 games where he scored a goal and six assists.
Zegras was reassigned to San Diego with the goal of transitioning him into a full-time center.
After an even more dominant AHL stint (12 points in 9 games), this time at center, he was recalled to the NHL to finish out the year in the middle of the ice. He finished the regular season in Anaheim scoring six points in seven games.
Since his initial stint in the NHL for the Ducks, Zegras has been listed at the center ice position for the majority of his career.
Though he had been mostly listed at center on the Ducks’ official lineup sheets for his first two-plus seasons in the NHL, in actuality he hasn’t assumed the traditional center responsibilities as often.
Traditional center responsibilities include taking faceoffs, remaining the lowest forward in defensive zone coverage, supporting the defensemen as they break pucks out, acting as the F3 (forward closest to the team’s net) on forechecks, and engaging as the first forward into the defensive zone on the backcheck.
Despite what was written on lineup sheets, whenever Trevor Zegras was on a line with a teammate who could also play center, more often than not, he differed those center responsibilities to them as he assumed the winger role. Over the last several seasons, Zegras has found himself on lines with Adam Henrique, Ryan Strome, and Rickard Rakell. In each of those instances, Zegras’ wing/center split has likely been around 70/30.
The NHL, as a whole, is trending toward a state of more positionless hockey when it comes to forward groups. Nowhere is that more true than in the system Greg Cronin is running with the Anaheim Ducks. Positions are dictated by the flow of play. The first forward back in the defensive zone is the “center,” as is the F3 when pucks are dumped deep into the offensive zone. Versatility is (and should be) instrumental in the modern game where any forward may find themselves in any situation. They need to know and excel with any responsibility given to them.
In Anaheim, more often than not, the listed center, the one taking draws, will assume those responsibilities on a line. However, occurrences will arise throughout a single game where listed wingers will be forced to assume that role. The more players scattered in a lineup who are adept with a role in the middle of the ice, the more fluid the Ducks system will be. Mason McTavish, Ryan Strome, Isac Lundestrom, Ben Meyers, BO Groulx, Leo Carlsson, and Trevor Zegras are all more than capable centers in the NHL. There are even more on their way to the Ducks roster in the next few years as well, including Cutter Gauthier, Nathan Gaucher, Carey Terrance, and possibly a few players they select in the upcoming NHL draft.
Trevor Zegras will make a fine transition to the wing because it’s where he’s played the most throughout his young NHL career. He will certainly play center again, however. It’s inevitable. It will simply be dictated by the flow of the play.
No update or timeline was given for Zegras’ return to the lineup. He has been sidelined with a broken ankle since Jan. 9. He did not travel with the team to Chicago where they’ll take on the Blackhawks on Tuesday night.