Trevor Zegras’ start to the season in California is catastrophic.
Once again shut out yesterday, the young Anaheim Ducks forward has a disappointing record of just one empty-net goal and two meager assists in 15 games.
His offensive production is non-existent, and his value on the transaction market continues to fall. While Kent Hughes hesitated to finalize a transaction for Zegras this summer, we can say today that he had a narrow escape.
Far from the offensive machine that many had hoped for, Zegras seems to be losing momentum, and its situation is truly catastrophic on the transaction market.
Zegras, once seen as a talented player capable of transforming a team’s offense, is headed for a potentially disastrous season.
At his current pace, he would finish the campaign with just 18 points. Such performance is far from what was expected of him, especially for a player known for his vision of the game and his skills with the puck.
Montreal avoided a ticking time bomb by not trading Logan Mailloux to Anaheim in a rushed trade this summer.
According to what is circulating, it was Kent Hughes who said no at the last minute. Imagine the scandal in Montreal if Mailloux had been sacrificed for Zegras and the latter would have collapsed in Quebec.
Seeing how Mailloux works magic in Laval, with another magnificent goal in overtime yesterday, Quebec would never have forgiven Kent Hughes for sacrificing the defender for the fallen attacker.
According to current information, Logan Mailloux now has a much higher market value than Zegras.
While the Ducks are still interested in the young right-handed defenseman from Montreal, Kent Hughes does not seem ready to give up Mailloux, especially seeing the slow progress of Zegras…or rather his regression which is happening at lightning speed.
According to David Ettedgui, former agent, two teams remain in the race to acquire Zegras: the Montreal Canadiens and the Nashville Predators.
For Ettedgui, the CH is the ideal environment to relaunch Zegras, especially with the friendship between Zegras and Cole Caufield, which could facilitate his integration into the team. In addition, Patrik Laine’s injury leaves a void in the attack that the arrival of Zegras could fill.
“It’s the best time for the Canadian to pick up Trevor Zegras. He needs a change and CH is the perfect team. With the uncertainty up front and the injury to Laine, I would add him to rebalance the top 6. Keep an eye on Nashville in this matter. »
On the Anaheim side, GM Pat Verbeek continues to hope to include Logan Mailloux in the trade for Zegras. Verbeek would even be more interested in David Reinbacher, but the latter is absolutely untouchable in the eyes of Kent Hughes, who will not so quickly admit an error in the Matvei Michkov file.
So, the Ducks are focusing on Mailloux, who they perceive as accessible. But Kent Hughes would instead try to offer Justin Barron and other elements to convince the Ducks.
Needless to say, Verbeek will not fall into the trap. Even if Zegras is experiencing the worst times in history for a 9th overall pick, he will not send his forward to Montreal for Barron.
Is Kent Hughes ready to offer the Flames or Panthers 1st pick alongside Barron?
Despite recent criticism in the Montreal media towards Mailloux, Kent Hughes does not yet seem ready to compromise his defender.
Jean-Charles Lajoie made harsh remarks about him, particularly on his shortcomings in the defensive zone.
“The Logan Mailloux case is intriguing. His game is well adjusted in the attacking third, but he is missing a crucial fraction of a second in the defensive zone.
“In the meantime, he often gets into trouble because he arrives late, making things difficult for his partners and guardians.”
“His decision-making is slow and costs the team dearly. With his size, I would also like him to impose his robustness more and make opponents who venture into his territory pay more.”
These comments reflect some concern about Mailloux’s ability to fully adapt to the NHL, but that doesn’t make Hughes ready to sacrifice him.
Trading Mailloux would go against CH’s current needs, especially when the team is already looking for a right-handed defender.
If Mailloux remains untouchable, Montreal will have to offer a more attractive alternative than Barron. Joshua Roy, with his scoring potential and offensive qualities, could be a central piece of a transaction.
The problem is that Anaheim continues to favor the acquisition of a right-handed defender, which complicates negotiations.
The presence of Nashville in the file pushes Montreal to act quickly, without overpaying for a player who is losing momentum.
Zegras is a talented player, but his recent performances show a worrying decline. His confidence seems shaken, and he no longer has the offensive impact that characterized him.
Fortunately for Montreal, Kent Hughes avoided sacrificing Mailloux this summer, and Zegras’ drop in value could open the door to a lower-cost acquisition.
Montreal must remain cautious. Whether we are in the camp of those who see in Zegras an addition of raw talent or those who find him too flashy and too fragile, his current decline is worrying, even if we can say that his coach Greg Cronin has given him cut the wings while trying to change it.
Hughes will therefore have to trade intelligently to avoid taking too much risk in the transaction market.
With Nashville in the docket and the Ducks’ pressure to get a right-handed defenseman, the next few weeks will be crucial to decide if Zegras represents the missing piece for the CH.
In the meantime, Logan Mailloux will have to deal with the rumors, but it is unlikely that the Canadian will sacrifice him in this context.
Especially when we see him dominating the American League with one hand behind his back.
