The Anaheim Ducks are reportedly receiving many inquiries from interested parties to secure a trade for forward Trevor Zegras and the Rangers are reportedly among the potential suitors.
There appears to be a robust market for the 23-year-old, with seven other teams showing “serious interest in Zegras,” according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
In addition to New York, the Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers are showing interest and other teams could be in the mix.
With the busy market, general manager of Anaheim Pat Verbeek set a high price. And trade talks are likely to “escalate” ahead of Friday’s NHL Draft, per Pagnotta, but there may not be a deal this offseason. The report indicated that the Ducks’ GM could be playing hardball and has no plans to make any moves at this time.
The Ducks had previously declined to acquire the forward at the trade deadline after contract talks between the two sides kept Zegras out of training camp before the season. He ultimately signed a three-year, $17.25 million contract in early October, just two weeks before the regular season opener, meaning he won’t be a restricted free agent again until after the 2025-26 season.
Injuries, including a broken ankle, limited his 2023-24 season to just 31 games. He scored six goals and nine assists with a minus-1 on the season, averaging 17:05 on the ice. After returning from an ankle injury, Zegras did well to earn eight points in his last ten games.
In his first 211 games over four seasons since being the 9th overall selection in the 2019 draft, Zegras has 154 points (55 goals and 99 assists) with a minus-40 while averaging a 17:51 time at the had ice. He made the NHL’s all-rookie team his first full season in 2021-2022, scoring 23 goals with 38 assists.
