On Monday, the Anaheim Ducks moved forward Trevor Zegras to the IR with the lower-body injury that has kept him out of the team’s past two games.
Zegras first missed time last Friday as the Ducks lost to the Philadelphia Flyers, and, after dispatching the San Jose Sharks 4-1 on Sunday, the team officially shelved the mercurial puck handler for at least seven days to open a roster spot.
The injury knock continues a difficult few months for Zegras, who has struggled to start the season after spending most of his summer angling for a contract extension that was not forthcoming until October.
On the ice, things have not been much better; Zegras, who cleared the 60-point mark in each of his first two seasons, has just a goal and an assist to show for 12 appearances in 2023-24.
The BU alum has worked hard to conform to the demands of new bench boss Greg Cronin, who sat him three weeks ago, but his efforts have not shown on the scoresheet for the surprisingly capable Ducks.
Zegras has taken strides on defense under Cronin, but his coach and teammates will hope he can cash in on his immense talent with points production on his return, which could come at home against Montreal on Nov. 22 at the earliest.
In the meantime, Anaheim will continue to lean on a modified top-line of Alex Killorn, No. 2 overall pick Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry, while Frank Vatrano, Mason McTavish and Ryan Strome round out the top-six; the 18-year-old Carlsson (6G, 8P in 10GP) and Vatrano, whose 11 goals are tied for third-most in the NHL, have been particularly impressive this year.
The 8-6 Ducks will seek to continue their winning ways against the slumping Nashville Predators on Tuesday before facing an ice-cold Colorado Avalanche outfit on Wednesday.
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