Trevor Zegras has only three points in 14 games with the Anaheim Ducks this season. After being a popular topic of NHL trade speculation last year, could rumors resurface?
Anaheim Ducks center Trevor Zegras was a hot topic of media speculation before the NHL trade deadline last season.
Contract negotiations forced him to miss training camp last fall before ultimately signing a three-year contract with an average annual value of $5.75 million. Injuries and inconsistent play limited the once dazzling scorer to 15 points in 31 games.
The Ducks’ trade of defenseman Jamie Drysdale to the Philadelphia Flyers for left winger Cutter Gauthier in January sparked rumors that Zegras could be next. After the trade deadline, general manager Pat Verbeek denied any team had called him about the 23-year-old. Nevertheless, the rumors kept Zegras off season.
Fast forward to mid-November, and Zegras’ offensive woes continue with just three points in 14 games.
Patrick present from Hockey News noted on November 4 that despite Zegras’ lack of production, his 200-foot effort and attention to detail have been eye-catching. Nonetheless, the trade speculation has shifted to whether he needs a change of scenery to get his career as a top-six forward back on track.
The Montreal Gazetteit’s Pat Hickey note that some Canadiens fans were calling for general manager Kent Hughes to add Zegras. Hughes is reportedly looking for a physical forward, a need Zegras cannot fill. Hickey also highlighted his deficiencies in the defensive zone and in the faceoff circle.
Meanwhile, James Murphy of RG.org cited a source claiming the Boston Bruins had spoken with the Ducks, raising the question of whether Zegras was a target. Murphy wondered if Bruins general manager Don Sweeney might try to bring the former Boston University star back to Boston.
The Athletic’s Chris Johnston was asked if there was a real commercial buzz around Zegras. He believes discussions could resume at some point, but they are not a serious priority at present.
Teams might note Zegras’ struggles in Anaheim and the possibility that a trade could help him regain his offensive skills. However, it seems like NHL GMs aren’t paying much attention to it right now.
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