Analyzing why Ducks forward Trevor Zegras’ star has dimmed
At one time not all that long ago, Trevor Zegras was the hottest thing going. What happened? What would another team be getting in a trade? Adam Vingan breaks it down.
Trevor Zegras was the hottest thing going, back in 2021. He burst onto the scene as a 20-year-old walking highlight reel for the Anaheim Ducks, finishing as the runner-up for the Calder Trophy after putting up 61 points in 75 games.
Zegras’ viral plays landed him on the cover of EA Sports’ “NHL 23” video game, and he followed that by leading the Ducks in scoring with 65 points.
Over the past couple of years, however, Zegras’ star has dimmed considerably. He has been a fixture in trade speculation for some time now as a prime change-of-scenery candidate. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos wrote Monday that Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek “has been looking into finding the player a new home all season.”
How did Zegras get here after such a meteoric start to his career?
First and foremost, he has struggled to stay healthy. The forward has appeared in less than half of Anaheim’s games since the start of last season (66 of 142) because of various injuries, most recently a torn meniscus in his right knee that required surgery in December 2024. He also suffered a broken left ankle in January 2024 and a serious lower-body injury in November 2023 that cost him 20 games. (Zegras returned from a three-game suspension Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, recording an assist in Anaheim’s 6-2 win.)
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Although Zegras’ point production has fallen sharply over the past two seasons (0.48 per game), his underlying metrics have not done the same. There have been some dips, but he has shown signs of the playmaker who took the league by storm earlier this decade.
Zegras, for instance, is completing virtually the same number of slot passes per game over the past two seasons (1.54) as he did during his consecutive 60-point seasons (1.52).
“He’s been terrific this year,” Ducks coach Greg Cronin told reporters last month. “If you were to ask me one player (who’s) probably made the most progress even though his stats don’t reflect it, it’s him.”
When the Ducks hired Cronin before the 2023-24 season, he immediately challenged Zegras to improve his defensive habits. No one would confuse Zegras with a Selke Trophy candidate, but Cronin has pushed him to be more detailed defensively.
Zegras has taken steps in that direction this season. He is winning 50.4 per cent of his puck battles (up from 49.1 per cent last season) and has slashed his turnover rate in the defensive zone by seven percentage points, bringing it down to 8.9 per cent.
One big question for potential acquiring teams is whether Zegras should play centre or wing. The Ducks have started Zegras at wing in 27 of his 35 games this season. Since coming back from his latest injury, Zegras has started all 11 games as a winger — nine on the left and two on the right.
Earlier this season, Zegras reportedly said he dislikes playing wing. Cronin called it a “dilemma,” because he also has natural centres Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish in the lineup. It seems Cronin prefers Zegras on the wing, but other coaches could feel differently.
Zegras could be the ultimate high-risk, high-reward player. He does not turn 24 until March 20, so there should still be room for him to grow. If he can avoid further injury, the idea of him revitalizing his career on another team is not totally far-fetched.
“His IQ offensively is elite,” Cronin told reporters, when Zegras returned from knee surgery in January. “It probably is higher than anybody we’ve got in terms of seeing plays develop. He’s one of those rare people (who’s) two plays ahead.”
But what would it cost to acquire Zegras, whose bridge contract carries a $5.75-million cap hit through next season? Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman said on the latest episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast that Verbeek “sets high prices, and he demands you meet them.”
Verbeek is not going to give away Zegras. Despite Zegras’ lengthy injury history, he has proven he can produce at a high level at a young age. Perhaps another club will finally take the plunge.
