The Anaheim Ducks are reportedly receiving numerous inquiries from interested parties looking to trade for forward Trevor Zegras, with the New York Rangers being among the potential suitors. According to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, there is a robust market for the 23-year-old, with seven other teams expressing serious interest in Zegras. In addition to the Rangers, the Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators, and Philadelphia Flyers are showing interest, and other teams could also be in the mix.
With the market crowded with interested teams, Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek has set a high price for Zegras. Trade talks are expected to escalate leading up to Friday’s NHL Draft, but a deal may not be finalized this offseason. Verbeek is reportedly playing hardball and is not looking to move Zegras at this time. The Ducks had previously denied shopping the forward at the trade deadline after contract talks kept Zegras out of training camp before the season. He ultimately signed a three-year, $17.25 million deal in early October, just two weeks before the regular season opener, meaning he will not be a restricted free agent again until after the 2025-26 season.
Injuries, including a broken ankle, limited Zegras’ 2023-24 campaign to just 31 games. He recorded six goals and nine assists with a minus-1 rating, averaging 17:05 time on the ice for the season. Zegras performed well upon returning from the ankle injury, tallying eight points in his final 10 games.
Since being selected as the 9th overall pick in the 2019 draft, Zegras has played 211 games over four seasons, totaling 154 points (55 goals and 99 assists) with a minus-40 rating, while averaging 17:51 time on the ice. He made the NHL’s all-rookie team in his first full season in 2021-22, scoring 23 goals and 38 assists.