David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported Monday morning that at least eight teams have contacted the Ducks with serious interest in star forward Trevor Zegras.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported Monday morning that at least eight teams have contacted the Ducks with serious interest in star forward Trevor Zegras.
The NHL Draft is fast approaching and Trevor Zegras' name has been at the center of trade speculation for nearly six months now.
Speculation began in January after the Anaheim Ducks traded Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Cutter Gauthier. The speculation stems from a bird's eye belief that because Zegras (23) endured a tough RFA negotiation, doesn't seem to fully encapsulate the archetype of what Ducks' GM Pat Verbeek values in players, and witnessed a friend (Drysdale) get traded that he might be next.
Since then, reports have surfaced of teams calling Anaheim inquiring to determine if Zegras could truly be acquired. As most NHL GMs would do, Verbeek has listened to what teams would be willing to offer in exchange.
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Monday morning, David Pagnotta from the Fourth Period reported that at least eight NHL teams have "expressed serious interest" in Zegras, including the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames, and Buffalo Sabres. He also added that he believes other teams are "in the mix" as well.
It is now reported what Verbeek would require in exchange for the talented forward is nothing short of a "big price" and he's uninterested in a package centered around picks and prospects.
Following the 2024 trade deadline, when Zegras was out of the lineup with a broken ankle and his name was most at the forefront of trade speculation, Verbeek was asked whether teams were calling regarding Zegras.
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"No, they were not," Verbeek said. "Zegras is hurt. It's a situation there that everybody is speculating on that. We want Z to play with us."
During June's NHL Scouting Combine, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun met with Pat Verbeek to discuss the current status and future outlook of the Ducks. LeBrun asked about the seemingly never-ending rumors surrounding Zegras. To which, Verbeek had no comment.
Zegras had a difficult year in 2023-24 as he dealt with two significant injuries; a lower-body injury we know was osteitis pubis, causing him to miss 20 games and the previously mentioned broken ankle which caused him to miss another 31.
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In his 31 games played during the 2023-24 season, Zegras tallied six goals and nine assists. From a production standpoint, he ended on a high note adding eight points in his final eight games.
Though points were hard to come by for Zegras early in the season, he made significant strides to improve his 200-foot game. He was far more engaged and diligent in defensive zone coverage, whether at center or wing. He was disruptive on the forecheck as he baited puck carriers into turnovers, disrupted passing attempts, and eliminated outlet options.
“He understands he has to play on both sides of the puck,” Ducks head coach Greg Cronin said when asked about Zegras' defensive progression during the season. “He’s making a commitment to do that. He shows up over and over in the videotape working hard defensively. And I think when you have those habits, the production will come offensively in a real natural way.”
Cold Water on Zegras Trade Chatter
In May, Zegras represented the United States during the 2024 IIHF World Championships. Unfortunately, he didn't have the best showing as he only managed two points in eight games and saw his role increasingly diminish as the US lost in the quarterfinal to the eventual champions, Czechia.
Despite his production taking a hit in 2023-24, Zegras remains third behind Jack Hughes and Matt Boldy in points-per-game (.729) among players drafted in the 2019 Entry Draft (200 games min.).
Zegras has two years remaining on his three-year contract that carries an AAV of $5.75 million. Upon expiry, he will be an RFA with arbitration rights and his first year of UFA eligibility is 2028. He is eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1, 2025.
Trevor Zegras will remain on trade lists, at the forefront of trade speculation, and the target of rumors for the foreseeable future. It's the nature of NHL media.
Pat Verbeek and the Ducks don't seem to be in a rush to move on from the supremely talented and charismatic young forward. That is unless an opposing GM makes Verbeek a "Godfather" offer. An offer he can't refuse.
However, there is now a confirmed list of teams who have shown interest, and it's a long list that keeps growing.
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