NHL Rumor Mill – April 2, 2024
The latest speculation on the Ducks’ Trevor Zegras plus a look at the Sharks’ rebuild in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ZEGRAS SPECULATION
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks doesn’t know what’s gone wrong in Anaheim for Trevor Zegras. He observed that the 23-year-old Ducks forward always seems frustrated or agitated, pointing out he destroyed the penalty box camera in Seattle last Thursday following a questionable call.
Brooks believes Zegras is “a young man who is clearly in need of a new beginning.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zegras is most likely frustrated by being limited to eight points in 24 games after missing most of this season to injuries. His contract negotiations with Ducks management kept him out of training camp and preseason play.
Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).
Zegras exceeded 60 points in each of his last two seasons. However, there was some disappointment in his performance last season as the Ducks wanted to see improvement in his all-around game. That can be considered growing pains as part of his development rather than a flaw that cannot be corrected.
CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Nate Brown noted the TNT Hockey panel recently discussing whether Zegras has a future in Anaheim.
Anson Carter noted some question marks as the Ducks have “an embarrassment of riches down the middle”, pointing to Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier (who primarily plays left wing) and Mason McTavish. He wondered if they have room for Zegras as they attempt to bolster their defensive depth.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s John Buccigross remains bullish on the Ducks forward. He believes Zegra has a “Pavel Datsyuk ceiling.”
Brown wondered if the rebuilding Blackhawks should look into Zegras’ availability. Despite his struggles this season, the Ducks would still set a high asking price based on his potential. Brown suggests it might be best to wait a year to see what a deal would take if questions still linger about his future in Anaheim.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Following the trade deadline, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said he wasn’t shopping Zegras nor did any club call about him. Nevertheless, teams could still make inquiries during the offseason, especially if Verbeek starts shopping around for more immediate help for his roster.
NO BIG MOVES THIS SUMMER FOR THE SHARKS?
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli believes the San Jose Sharks seem to have a cohesive rebuilding plan after paring down some of the big contracts from their books. However, a lack of salary-retention spots for next season makes it unlikely that they’ll ship out more high-salaried players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Each NHL team has three salary-retention slots enabling them to absorb part of a player’s salary cap hit to facilitate a trade. The Sharks used theirs to move Brent Burns to Carolina in 2022, Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh last summer and Tomas Hertl to Vegas at last month’s trade deadline.
The Sharks must wait until the end of next season to regain a salary retention spot. That’s when Burns’ contract expires. They’ll have to wait for Karlsson to come off the books in 2027 for their next one.
They can’t retain salary if they attempt to move another high-salaried player such as Logan Couture of Marc-Edouard Vlasic. That’s assuming either player is willing to expand their no-trade clauses. They each have three-team trade lists.
If Couture or Vlasic accept a trade, the Sharks must take back a bad contract or include sweeteners like draft picks and prospects. Neither scenario will happen given management’s desire to shed salary and replenish their prospect pool.
Some of Zegras’s moves are like Datsyuk, but Pavel was incredible hard to knock off the puck due to his core and lower body strength. he may get point totals like Pavel, but does not play like him.
Still have to admit the kid has great offensive skills!Wouldn t put him in the class of PLD yet!Would flourish on a team that had veteran leadership ,that has won to see if this kid really has it!
Ya Sr, veteran leadership always helps, but the Ducks have some like Killorn, Fowler and some others. But they have a bunch of young guys who need to play too. There will be mistakes and plenty of them.
I have no idea if Zegras eventually gets it or not, and I don’t watch the Ducks unless they play EDM or BOS, but in the end it will be up to him to play the right way and nobody else. He is 23 and will have completed his 3rd full season plus and gets paid $5.75M. The team isn’t wrong to expect a better game out of him. When you get paid the bigger $$, your expected to be a leader whether you like it or not.
Time will tell, and he has time to do it. Maybe the frustration of this season will drive him to do it. If he can’t or won’t, the Ducks would be wise to not invest big money for long term. Next year is a big year for him and the Ducks to make decisions.
San Jose after drafting Celebrini is to convince Will Smith of BC to join him! Nothing going on in San Jose,need a facelift with these to players being the centerpiece!
Re; A Ducks Trade🤔
Where there is smoke there is fire….
I wonder if the Hab’s would trade there 1st pick & a younger d/man …Habs pick is sitting at 5th over all today to the Ducks for Centre Trevor Zegras….⁉️
Hab’s need help up front Scoring, Zegras is young and talented could be a win win for both teams…
Ducks look like they will Pick in the #3 spot and if they got a 5th pick Also…
they could add a big d/man and a Left Winger with both picks lots of choices there…🤔
They are already Loaded at centre
21 yr old Mason McTavish’ & 19 yr old Leo Carlsson
and young 19 yr old Nathan Gaucher who may have to play RW…❓
I know it will take a lot to get Zegras but I don’t see Montreal giving up both the 5th overall pick with a Dman for him, I’m not sure they would trade the 5th overall pick for him.
Williew, can’t see MTL doing that. If it was me I wouldn’t trade it straight up for Zegras.
Your right about MTL having a bunch of D, and there are plenty of D ranked in the top 10, so maybe they make a deal with someone for that pick, I just wouldn’t do that one.
One of the rankings I looked at on SN had 6 or 7 of the top 10 as D. I don’t ever remember seeing that before. Some from RUS, which may impact where they get drafted.
Ducks are loaded with D prospects near being in the NHL. I think they hang on to Zegras for next year and play him on the wing if overloaded with centers. Maybe near next year’s TDL they trade him when his value should be higher and when they see what they have in their young D and then trade to fill the holes they may have.
Hey Ray,
I feel with Trevor Zegras Age @ 23 and his cap hit $5.7M he would fit right into the Hab’s current top 6 forward line up,
I do think the Hab’s will be active in Trading Zegras to get a pick & prospect in the top 10
they have
2 X 1 st round picks, ( Oilers ).
2 X 2nd round picks, ( Boston )
3 2 X 3rd Round picks in the 2024 draft
Duck do have d men but there are a 5 in the top 10 in the first round
Hab’s choices
A d/man and
A Left Winger with both picks lots of choices there❓
I could see MTL trading the Winnipeg 1st and Jordan Harris for Zegras. Anything else is an overpay.
San Jose can look to Ottawa as one of the few places their captain might wave to go to. They’ll be taking back Korpisalo and Forsberg or Norris and giving up a draft pick as well.
I have a question how long does Bedard get to wear the full face shield?
Until the team doctors feel that he no longer needs to.
Is there a rule that prohibits wearing a full shield if you’re not injured? Honest question.
I feel like no player in the NHL would WANT to wear one, but not being ABLE to wear one site opens up a can of liability.
That seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen!
Don t forget about the Gauthier kid from BC! Big LW,leads the country in goals! Ducks are loaded with young ,talented forwards!