Anaheim Ducks star and NHL 23 cover boy Trevor Zegras is due to get paid as he is a restricted free agent, but what will his contract look like, and are the Ducks and Zegras trying to agree on a long-term deal? Daily Faceoff president Frank Seravalli and former NHL goaltender Mike McKenna weigh in on the possibility of a potential contract and what it could entail for both parties.
Frank Seravalli: Let’s look at some serious pieces of business that need to get done around the league for these teams. When you look at this board that consists of Trevor Zegras, Vince Dunn, Troy Terry, Evan Bouchard and K’Andre Miller, which one of these negotiations intrigues you the most?
Mike McKenna: Well, it’s Zegras. I’m not sure if he’s a Pat Verbeek style of player. His skill is incredible, he scored, and he’s put up points, but has he done much more than highlight reel material? When you look at his general impact on the game, there’s still more ceiling to it. Does Verbeek want to commit eight years to Zegras? I’m very curious about that if it’s not a short-term deal. I’m not sure how that one plays out.
Frank Seravalli: Well, I was going to say I wonder if you see some of these guys like Zegras and Terry, you look at the bridge deals, and I think the Oilers and Rangers would love to get Bouchard and Miller locked up to longer-term deals. I think it’s always the best thing for the team is to buy as many years as you can, especially where the cap is. But, does one of those guys like Zegras or Terry, especially in Anaheim where they need to see a rebuild come to life, do they say, I’m going to sign a bridge deal., a two or three-year deal that puts some security in my pocket but I really want to cash in when the salary cap goes up. Do we start to see more players go that route as opposed to signing longer deals for as much security as they can?
Mike McKenna: I think there’s a good chance of that. These RFA’s are in the boat that knowing two years down that escrow is going to be going away and the cap is going to rise, then a two or three-year deal might be a good thing.
You can watch the full episode here…
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