The Montreal Canadiens are nearing the end of their reconstruction, and one trade proposal involves obtaining top forward Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks.
The website PuckPedia has a new tool called PuckGM that allows users to construct their own transactions, and one user suggested that the Ducks transfer Zegras.
- Trevor Zegras
Ducks get:
- Logan Mailloux
- 2025 first-round pick
- 2025 second-round pick
At first sight, it appears that the Canadiens are paying a high price for Zegras. He is, however, only 23 years old and in the second year of a three-year contract worth $17.25 million. Zegras is also close friends with Canadiens top forward Cole Caufield, so the two would have an instant rapport.
Despite being a former first-round choice and only 23, Zegras has been suggested as a postnatal trade candidate because he could use a change of environment. Zegras scored only 6 goals and 9 assists in 31 games last season, totaling 15 points.
Montreal would trade their first and second-round picks in 2025, as well as prospect Mailloux. Mailloux is a defenseman that was picked in the first round of the 2021 NHL draft, but Montreal has a strong defensive unit, and his route to the NHL is obstructed, therefore he may be disposable.
Zegras on Trade Block
Zegras’ name has come up in trade talks this winter, as the former first-round pick may use a change of scenery.
NHL source David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period has stated that numerous NHL teams, including the Canadiens, are interested in Zegras.
“Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has set a high price for Zegras, and multiple teams have expressed interest in the 23-year-old. According to Pagnotta’s article, at least eight teams have expressed serious interest in Zegras, including the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames, and Buffalo Sabres, and I believe other teams have also been involved.
Pagnotta believes Zegras and his camp are open to a change of scenery. However, he is willing to stay with Anaheim and help the Ducks rebuild.
Canadiens Quiet in Free Agency
Montreal was quiet over the summer, as the Canadiens concentrated on re-signing their own players.
The Canadiens did not sign a single new player on July 1, as general manager Kent Hughes stated that he did not want to force anything and risk making a mistake in the future.
“We didn’t go into today expecting to accomplish everything we wanted to. I believe that what happens with free agency, and it is normal, is that if you are extremely committed to going out with anything, you may come out with something that you later regret,” Hughes remarked.
“So, we wanted to start the day with discipline and say, if we can accomplish it within these constraints, we’ll do it. Otherwise, we’re happy with waiting and seeing what happens, whether through free agency later or trade first,” Hughes added.
Instead, Montreal re-signed Juraj Slafkovsky, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, and Justin Barron, all crucial pieces of their core.
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