A couple of seasons in the past, there wasn’t a extra thrilling participant than Trevor Zegras. He seemed to be the following face of the Anaheim Geese and a famous person within the making. He had back-to-back 60+ level seasons between the 2021-22 and the 2022-23 season whereas solely being 21 years previous. It wasn’t simply the very fact he was placing up excessive level totals that caught the league’s eye. He additionally was a human spotlight reel. It appeared like each evening Zegras was utilizing his pace and ability to create eye-catching performs.
Nonetheless, each season Zegras has been within the league, the Geese have continued to regress. Zegras’s rookie yr was in the course of the Covid-shortened 2020-21 season and completed final within the West division. After taking some steps in the fitting path in the course of the 2021-22 season, they’ve come crashing again all the way down to Earth recording beneath 60 factors within the final two seasons.
This season has been extra of the identical for the Geese. By 57 video games they’ve a document of 25-25-7 good for 57 factors. They’re presently sixth within the Pacific Division and 7 factors out of the ultimate wild-card spot within the west. Due to these struggles rumors and discussions round a possible Zegras commerce have been introduced again up. Whereas this concept has been floated for years, this season is the right time to lastly pull the set off.
Why the Geese Ought to Commerce Trevor Zegras
Now with Zegras’ age and the success he’s had, it’s possible you’ll be questioning why the Geese need to commerce him within the first place. He ought to be a man that the Geese maintain on to, and construct the franchise round. Nonetheless, because the 2022-23 season, Zegras hasn’t been the identical participant. He has seen main regression, particularly in his level complete. Now most of this comes from the very fact he hasn’t been capable of keep on the ice. Final season he solely performed 31 video games attributable to a pelvic damage in addition to a damaged ankle. Plus he’s missed a very good chunk of this season with a knee damage.
Even earlier than the accidents his play had taken a success. Whereas there are nonetheless flashes of the participant he was in 2020-22, there are few and much between. It seems like he’s misplaced the aggressive edge attributable to enjoying on a non-competitive workforce. The one means that Zegras can get again to the participant he as soon as was is a change of surroundings. Going to a workforce that’s enjoying for one thing would possibly spark his aggressive edge and get him to return to the participant he as soon as was.
Whereas the Geese are buying and selling Zegras when his worth is at its lowest, they’ve the expertise to make up for it. Over the previous few seasons, the Geese have cumulated a plethora of younger gifted gamers. Headlining this group is Mason McTavish, a middle who’s on tempo for his third consecutive 40+ level season. Additionally they have thrilling younger forwards like Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier. Plus a number of promising defensemen headline by Jackson LaCombe. This makes Zegras an expendable piece.
What Groups May Be
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens are in an attention-grabbing spot. To this point this season they’ve gone 27-26-8 good for 59 factors. Now this isn’t a lot of a shock as Montreal remains to be within the technique of rebuilding. This yr was seen as a season the place the Canadiens ought to take a step ahead, however nonetheless have some work to do earlier than they begin competing once more. Nonetheless, with the East being so extensive open, the Canadiens have an actual shot on the remaining Wild Card spot. They’re presently solely 5 factors behind Blue Jackets, who’re holding on by a thread.
One of many important areas of concern for the Canadiens is on the heart place, particularly on the second. Who’s going to minimize the center with Alex Newhook and Patrick Laine. Zegras is the right man to slip into that spot and provides this workforce the jolt it wants within the residence stretch of the season. Zegras can be very acquainted with Canadiens star Cole Caufield. With their historical past and chemistry, Zegras and Caufield can headline the primary line, and transfer Suzuki all the way down to the second. No matter the place Zegras brings a serious improve to Montreal’s prime six.
Chicago Blackhawks
We hardly ever see a workforce within the place the Blackhawks purchase on the deadline. They’re presently in final place within the Central Division and have the second-fewest factors within the NHL with 41. Solely the San Jose Sharks have fewer factors. With the workforce struggling that badly, many assume they’re extra curious about promoting than shopping for. Buying and selling away veterans for younger expertise and draft picks, in hopes of constructing the following championship core.
Nonetheless, what places the Blackhawks in a singular state of affairs is Connor Bedard. When Chicago drafted Bedard again in 2023, he was seen as the following NHL famous person. After successful the Calder Trophy his rookie yr, he’s taken a step again in his sophomore marketing campaign. Giving Bedard a participant of Zegras caliber may help get his sport again on monitor. It could make Bedard look extra like he did in his rookie season. Taking part in with Bedard may additionally get Zegras again to placing up the type of numbers he did in the course of the 2022-23 season. Giving the Blackhawks two gamers to construct their subsequent playoff roster round.
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