After moving out Jamie Drysdale, some are wondering if Ducks GM Pat Verbeek might have another big move up his sleeve. To that end, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports that Verbeek has discussed center Trevor Zegras with teams this season although it’s not known how far those discussions advanced. After a tough contract negotiation that eventually yielded a three-year bridge deal with a $5.75MM cap hit, things have not gone well for the 22-year-old. Injuries have limited him to 19 games heading into tonight’s action while he has struggled offensively with just four goals and three assists. Unfortunately for Zegras and Anaheim, he suffered a lower-body injury during tonight’s game against Nashville in the first period and did not return. Any extended absence could put the idea of a possible trade on hold fairly quickly.
More from the Western Conference:
- Back in the summer, Sharks GM Mike Grier acknowledged that there was some merit to the idea of extending pending unrestricted free agent winger Alexander Barabanov. However, Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News reports that there have yet to be discussions about a new contract for the 29-year-old. Like many San Jose players this season, 2023-24 has been a struggle for Barabanov who has just seven points in 20 games after coming off a career year that saw him collect 47 points in 68 games. He has a $2.5MM cap charge and if a new deal isn’t reached, he’ll be one of their more intriguing trade chips in the coming weeks.
- The Wild activated forward Michael Milne off season-opening IR and assigned him to AHL Iowa, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports (Twitter link). The 21-year-old is in his second professional season after picking up 13 points in 57 AHL contests last year and after missing the first few months of the season due to injury, is expected to play this weekend. Milne was a third-round pick in 2022 (89th overall) after a breakout season offensively in the WHL that saw him put up 81 points in 68 games.
Have thought since drafting Carlsson either Zegras trade or he becomes a winger. He does not seem like a verbeek Guy. Like steve Yzerman not afraid to move people he does not think fit the team. Still think Gauthier becomes a center just start at winger to erase into league.
100% right. Z, Gibby, Henrique, Fowler + others all gonna get traded at some point this season or next.
If I’m the Penguins I try to acquire Zegras. It almost makes too much sense. The Pens have been quietly getting younger since Dubas took over and are in need of a younger Center. Zegras could play on the third line and wouldn’t have a lot of pressure on him.
I’m not sure what the Ducks would want back for him, but the return wouldn’t be outrageous. Probably a combination of 2nd and 3rd round picks, a very good, but not elite prospect, and maybe a veteran to offset salary.
Maybe Emil Pieniniemi+Reilly Smith+future 2nd and 3rd round pick gets it done. Ducks could then flip Smith at some point over the next two seasons for additional assets (or keep him to mentor the young core).
@Buctober 2 – That might be delayed a while. @Robby Stanley on NHL.com is reporting, according to Greg Cronin, that Zegras “is not doing good, and that he’ll be out for a while.”
Oh wow. Terrible timing on the injury. Still think it’s a good match, but definitely on ice for the time being. We’ll see if he’s back before the deadline.
No one discussing this? 0 &10 last ten games?
Plus minus of the top line is awful unless they play a lot with an open net.
Ecklund – Minus 21
Hertl – Minus 24
Hoffman – Minus 14
Something isn’t working here.
@Olddefense — This just in — it’s 0-12 now. Maybe SJS is jealous of the Habs franchise-worst 82-game season in 2021-22 and wants to one-up them.
Ah yes, as a DRW fan for 7 decades, I am all too familiar with the NHL basement of recent times. It is no fun being there and whatever issues a team may have, they are magnified greatly by the attention generated by the lowest ranks.
It is not much fun on the ice or the locker room when a team is struggling, and then there is a tendency to start the inside finger pointing, this or that player not playing to potential, the front office are clowns, the coaching staff is a disgrace….all of that weighs on everyone in the organization. Worst case is players start phoning it in just to get to the end of the season.
It is hard to maintain the “I’ve got your back” among the organizations that are struggling. Give them time, they will figure it out and start the road back. The next game is the one that they can impact.
In the NHL seasons starting in 2000 it looks like Buffalo stands out as the most times in last place Four seasons since 2020. So yes, I can get worse.
Seas – Points
2020-21 = 37
2017-18 = 62
2014-15 = 54
2013-14 = 52
By the way, San Jose has never finished last 2000-02 through 2022-23. Still with a good number of games to go, they have a good chance of keeping their record of never finishing last in tact. Keep yer chin up and keep playing, every point counts.