The young Trevor Zegras on the Anaheim Ducks may very well be on the move before the trade deadline this season. If not then and injuries get in the way, you can bet there will be talks in the summer. Last week Frank Seravalli reported that general manager Pat Verbeek, “has mentioned Zegras’ name in conversation with teams this season, though it remains unclear how far (if at all) those talks advanced.”
Zegras has been injured multiple times this season and there were some problems getting a contract done in Anaheim in the offseason. Verbeek just also traded Zegras’ best friend Jamie Drysdale to Philadelphia and got back a skilled winger in Cutter Gauthier. Since neither Drysdale or Zegras were drafted by Verbeek, the GM may see a different long-term plan that doesn’t include either of them.
The assumption is that Zegras is going to cost a similar price as Drysdale did; a top prospect, but have to give up a higher draft pick as well. Zegras is only 22 years old and can produce offensively, so there won’t be a shortage of suitors. What makes the most sense is young teams on the rise like the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, and Chicago Blackhawks.
Montreal Canadiens
While rebuilding over the past few seasons, the Canadiens have brought in young and old talent alike that were in need of a change in scenery. That is what it seems like Zegras needs. Three names to note are Sean Monahan, Kirby Dach, and Alex Newhook. A team doesn’t necessarily have to draft good young talent, and the Canadiens are proving you can both draft and trade for players that will be largely impactful for the future.
The Canadiens need scoring and Zegras proved that he can out up around 60-65 a season. He is still signed for one more year and is a RFA after his deal is done. The Canadiens can easily fit him in their top-six and hope that he follows the same path as the other young talented players that have been acquired before him.
Nashville Predators
The Predators are a younger team that is trying to go through some changes without having to rebuild. They are currently in a playoff spot, but might find themselves on the outside by the end of the season. This is a team that has been stuck in limbo for a while between being good enough to compete for a Stanley Cup and being bad enough to get a game-changer in the draft.
While the Predators look to keep Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, and Juuse Saros for the time being, they will have to surround them with talent so that they can compete soon. Zegras is that type of piece that can provide some much-needed offense that the Predators aren’t typically known for. There are a number of forwards becoming UFAs after the season and others who are RFAs and will need contracts. He would fit in well and have more freedom to play his type of game.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are ready to compete just yet, but with Connor Bedard on the team, I’m betting the organization wants things turned around quickly. Even next season I don’t see the Blackhawks even making the playoffs with some of the contracts they just signed players to. This will give the very injury-riddled team at the moment some time to gather players that can take the team to the next level around Bedard.
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Zegras would be a great top-six addition that has the talent to grow into an even better point producer with the players that would be surrounding him. As a young center/winger, he would be versatile in the Blackhawks’ lineup. There are more than enough assets the organization possesses to use to acquire Zegras as well.
