Yesterday, we issued an replace on the 14 remaining unsigned RFAs league-wide after this yr’s arbitration calendar wrapped up due to the Anaheim Ducks’ large seven-year settlement with winger Troy Terry. The most obvious identify on that unsigned record is Terry’s linemate, Trevor Zegras, who instructed NHL.com’s Dan Rosen yesterday he’s “hopeful” for a new contract quickly however received’t return to Anaheim till a new deal is signed. He’s spent the offseason coaching in Connecticut, the place he’ll stay for the time being.
Zegras supplied no replace, good or unhealthy, on how shut his camp was to an extension with Anaheim. He did infer that he hasn’t been personally concerned a lot in contract talks, saying the negotiations are “kind of out of my control” and “this is why you have people in place to handle this type of stuff.” Zegras, 22, didn’t have the 4 skilled seasons required underneath his belt to be eligible for arbitration this summer time. He stays an RFA for the time being after his three-year, $5.235M entry-level contract expired on July 1.
If common supervisor Pat Verbeek’s negotiations with Terry are any indication, we probably received’t study any particulars about Zegras’ extension till it’s formally introduced. The two sides have been $3.5M aside on a contract heading into their arbitration listening to, and there have been no credible rumors of a settlement earlier than the announcement got here final Wednesday. Financial flexibility is just not a difficulty for the rebuilding Ducks – CapFriendly nonetheless initiatives them with over $20M in cap house after signing Terry.
Despite a Thirty second-place end for Anaheim in 2022-23, Zegras himself had a strong sophomore season. Skating in 81 video games, he matched his rookie whole in targets (23) and set a career-high in factors with 65 whereas seeing a small bump in ice time to 18:50 per sport. The 2019 ninth-overall decide has stored Anaheim related in public discourse regardless of their poor efficiency, routinely making unbelievable particular person playmaking efforts. He might have important defensive holes in his sport, however Zegras stated he’s “very excited” to play for new head coach Greg Cronin, who traveled to Connecticut to fulfill with the younger middle and outlined particular enhancements for Zegras to concentrate on within the defensive zone.
Ideally, the buck received’t fall on Zegras long-term to be a do-it-all first-line middle. The Ducks have a number of different top-six caliber prospects, together with Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson, with the latter carrying excessive two-way upside. Verbeek talked about yesterday he envisions Zegras because the most probably candidate to shift to the wing ultimately if Anaheim’s middle corps turns into crowded.
That change received’t occur anytime quickly, although, as Carlsson isn’t a assure to make the NHL subsequent season. For now, Anaheim’s roster nonetheless carries important holes, which is able to cause them to depend on Zegras closely in the course of the ice. Although free-agent additions Alex Killorn and Radko Gudas and a wholesome Jamie Drysdale may buoy the staff and elevate them out of final place, 2023-24 is just not anticipated to be the season the place the younger Ducks get away – but.
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