A new face was on the ice for the Ducks' Saturday morning practice. Defenseman Ian Moore, who joined up with the San Diego Gulls in the AHL after signing an amateur tryout (ATO) on Mar. 19, put pen to paper on his entry-level contract (ELC) on Saturday. By signing his ELC this season, Moore burns the first year of his contract (2024-25). His ELC runs through the 2025-26 season.

Moore was paired with veteran defenseman Jacob Trouba in his first official practice as a Duck. The other defensive pairs remained the same, with Olen Zellweger shifting down to partner with Oliver Kylington.

Here's how Saturday's practice lines shook out:

Cutter Gauthier - Leo Carlsson - Alex Killorn
Trevor Zegras - Ryan Strome - Frank Vatrano
Nikita Nesterenko - Mason McTavish - Troy Terry
Jansen Harkins - Isac Lundeström - Sam Colangelo/Brett Leason

Jackson LaCombe - Radko Gudas
Jacob Trouba - Ian Moore
Pavel Mintyukov - Drew Helleson
Oliver Kylington - Olen Zellweger

Lukáš Dostál - Ville Husso

Report: Rumored Zegras to Canadiens Trade at 2024 Draft Clarified Talented <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks">Anaheim Ducks</a> forward Trevor Zegras hasn’t been a stranger to trade speculation and rumors over the past 15 months. Speculation began following the Ducks' acquisition of Cutter Gauthier from the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> which sent Jamie Drysdale the other way.

A little line tweakage with Zegras/Terry and Nesterenko/Colangelo swapping lines. The Vatrano-Strome-Terry line has struggled offensively over the past 13-14 games, so this move from head coach Greg Cronin is an attempt to get things back into gear during the final three games of the season. Likewise, the Zegras-McTavish-Colangelo has had bouts of inconsistency. By adding Terry and Nesterenko to this line, it creates a trio of puckhounds on the forecheck and relies on Terry to be the play driver on offensive zone entries. Cronin has been quick to revert to what's become the typical lines for most of the last two months, though, so these lines will be monitored closely.

It looks like Zellweger will make way for Moore for Sunday's game against the Colorado Avalanche. With four righties projected to be in the lineup, Trouba is playing his off-side to accommodate fellow right-hander Moore. Zellweger has been replaced on the power play by Ryan Strome--who was not on special teams duty in the previous two games. Power play chief Rich Clune has also opted to give the five-forward power play unit another look, rolling with Zegras as the point man, Carlsson and Gauthier on the flanks, McTavish in the bumper and Terry as the netfront man.

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Ian Moore on...

Signing his ELC and his first NHL practice:

"It's been awesome. Super exciting. It's been a dream come true to have my first practice here today. Guys have been great and super welcoming. It's been a lot of fun today and really exciting for my family and me."

Being teammates with some of the players that he's met and played with at Ducks development camp in the past:

"It's super cool. I've been fortunate enough to be familiar with a couple of these guys, so it's nice to see some familiar faces. It just really hasn't sunk in yet. Just super exciting and just a great opportunity. I'm super fortunate and grateful for it."

Being paired with Jacob Trouba for his first NHL practice:

"It was great. He was helping me through all the drills and terminology and telling me what to do out there. To have a guy that's so well-respected and played a lot and (is) a great leader, (to) be able to play with him today at practice was awesome."

The difference in playing in college versus playing professionally:

"(The difference in) speed for sure. Guys are faster and stronger at each level, but it works on both sides. Your teammates as well are in great spots and supportive. You're able to get them the puck as quickly as you can and join (the rush). (Don't) overthink, it's still the same game. There are some differences that take a little bit to adjust to, but overall, these guys at each level have been helpful with the adjustments."

Learning from Gulls head coach Matt McIlvane and the rest of the Gulls coaching staff as he got adjusted to playing professionally:

"It was awesome. They were super helpful getting me up to speed with the systems and different things. Different, little details to look for, whether it's playing one-on-ones's shiftier, craftier guys or just the systems and the reads to make. They were really helpful and I'm super fortunate for them for the past couple of weeks to be able to spend time there and play with those guys. They were great guys and (I) made some really good friends there."

What attributes of his game set him apart from other players:

"I'm playing my best (when) I try and use my speed, skating offensively and also defensively. Closing on plays, but also getting the puck for our team and trying to make one good, hard play, one good first pass and just read off my teammates and try and support the puck. Playing fast and playing smart."

What gave him the confidence/faith that signing with the Ducks was the right decision when he could have chosen to become an unrestricted free agent this upcoming summer instead:

"(The Ducks have) been really supportive of me and my family as well over these past couple of years. The amount of time and effort they've invested in me and my development, I can't be more thankful for that. I'm just excited for the opportunity that they've given me now. Built some great relationships with the staff and with players as well. Just a place that I felt really comfortable."