Trevor Zegras’ frustrations with his role in Anaheim have become impossible to ignore and could lead to the Ducks trading him once and for all.
As reported by NHL insider Luke Fox on Saturday's "Quick Shift" column over Sportsnet, the Ducks’ dynamic 23-year-old forward has voiced dissatisfaction with being deployed on the wing instead of his preferred center position.
The comments, coupled with a slow start to the season, are fueling speculation about Zegras’ long-term future with the Ducks.
“I hate the wing,” Zegras told Aly Lozoff of Victory+ as she revealed during a Ducks game on Nov. 9. Lozoff explained how, in Zegras' eyes, the position limits his ability to engage in the game.
Trevor Zegras prefers playing center.@AlysonLozoff has the story on why No. 11 prefers playing in the middle.#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/D9i392uCNG
— Ducks on Victory+ (@DucksOnVictory) November 9, 2024
Zegras also said he "likes faceoffs and playing defense" as that allows him "to get myself going." The forward also believes he "can’t do as much of that" based on how the Ducks are using him by placing him on the wing instead of the pivot.
Zegras’ struggles have been evident this season as he's just scored two goals in 19 games with the Ducks while providing seven assists for 12 total points.
After signing a three-year, $17.25-million contract with Anaheim, expectations were high for the 23-year-old playmaker. However, his production is far from living up to his $5.75 million cap hit.
Zegras is on pace to finish the season with a meager nine goals on the year—a stark drop-off for a player who scored 23 goals in each of his first two full NHL seasons.
“The Ducks aren’t going anywhere, but one must wonder if Zegras will be,” Fox wrote, hinting at the possibility of a trade request or at least to the franchise giving some thought to the idea of moving the disgruntled forward.
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