Anaheim Ducks center Trevor Zegras Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Ducks agree to extension with young star Trevor Zegras

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Mike Gould | Last updated 10/2/23

The Anaheim Ducks signed restricted free-agent forward Trevor Zegras to a new three-year contract, the team announced Monday morning.

Zegras, 22, led the Ducks with 65 points in 81 games during the 2022–23 regular season. The Bedford, N.Y. product also matched his career high and tied Troy Terry for the team lead with 23 goals.

The Ducks originally selected Zegras with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. The 6-foot center debuted with the Ducks in the 2020–21 season and was named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy the following year.

Zegras’s new contract with the Ducks carries a $5.75 million cap hit, according to Daily Faceoff hockey insider Frank Seravalli.

HE’S BACK!

We’ve agreed to terms with forward Trevor Zegras on a three-year contract.#FlyTogether
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) October 2, 2023

After emerging as a star prospect with the U.S. National Development Team, Zegras played his first post-draft season at Boston University. He racked up 11 goals and 36 points in 33 games during his freshman (and only) year in the NCAA.

Zegras turned pro with the Ducks ahead of the 2020–21 season and split that year between the NHL and AHL, scoring 10 goals and 21 points in 17 games with the San Diego Gulls and three goals and 13 points in 24 games with the Ducks.

The following year, Zegras went head-to-head against Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider in a yearlong battle for superiority in the race for the Calder Trophy. Seider ultimately won the award, but Zegras received far more vote than the third-place Michael Bunting and was also named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

Zegras was one of the last major RFAs yet to be signed ahead of the 2023–24 season, with Ducks teammate Jamie Drysdale, Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Tim Berni now the only holdouts. The Ducks are slated to open the upcoming season on the road in Las Vegas on Oct. 14.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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