Disgruntled Trevor Zegras should intrigue Kent Hughes
Trevor Zegras scored a goal on Friday night, and his celebration was very telling of his current situation.
The Montreal Canadiens don't play the Anaheim Ducks much during the season, but we all know who Trevor Zegras is.
An electrifying talent, who plays the games with plenty of skill and an equal amount of emotion. When he scores or a linemate does, he is always animated and there to bring energy to the team. If you watched his reaction after netting a tally against the Detroit Red Wings, then you know something is off.
If a high-energy player doesn't react when he pots a goal and looks disinterested, surely there is some trouble in California. While this is bad news for the Ducks, it is promising that he found the back of the net, but you can't have a star player looking so dejected. If Zegras is feeling unhappy, then it would be wise to table an offer to the Ducks and see if it gets Pat Verbeek's ears perked up.
Cole Caufield's former teammate with the United States National Team Development Program has plenty of chemistry and familiarity with the Canadiens sniper. With Alex Newhook appearing to be a third-line talent and Kirby Dach struggling, adding a top-six forward would only help the team. And if we're being honest; if Zegras is unhappy in Anaheim, then the Ducks would be wise to move him, before it blows up to something bigger.
Dealing with a potential distraction before it happens might be wise for the Ducks, who are trying to find their way. Their group is young and developing and if there is a player that is unhappy, it's awfully difficult to keep the morale up. To put it simply, if Zegras is available, Hughes needs to inquire - and I think we will find out soon, if he is.
Habs fans should want him
Sure he is flashy and often walks a fine line between cocky and confident, but Zegras is an elite talent when he is on his game. I think that playing with his former teammate and buddy Caufield could bring the best out of him. I think aside from Ivan Demidov up front, Zegras would be the most skilled forward in the organization.
He simply does things with the puck that other players won't even attempt or simply can't. The game is all about flashy goals or high skill puck play, it isn't really much of a factor. But the talent required to make these plays, if harnessed properly could result in a game breaking player; which Martin St. Louis can try to do.
I know his numbers don't look very promising right now, but if you look at his career statistics, I don't think everything is going well. Zegras's potential didn't just flush down the drain - his confidence is currently shaken and the production reflects that. But if you look at guys like Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook and Patrik Laine (despite not playing a game yet) they have gained confidence under St. Louis's tutelage.
Just saying Kent, this could be a big acquisition.