As long as he can stay healthy, the sky is the limit for Zegras. He has a strong, accurate wrist shot from in close, and he is adept at creating quiet spots in the offensive zone for himself or his teammates. He’s also a crafty player in his own zone, keeping his feet moving and not letting opposing defensemen get set. He’s always dialed in on the puck-carrier, and when he can’t be directly hounding him, he’ll get himself into lanes to take passing options away from opponents.
But it’s his offensive creativity that has fans most excited, and he shows no signs of slowing down. He’s already averaging 65 points on the worst team in the NHL in his early 20s, and he has the skills to eventually eclipse that mark on a regular basis.
He’s also a solid defensive player, and that’s been a big part of his rise through the Ducks organization. He’s a good skater, with a smooth stride and quick footwork that allows him to freeze up opponents and give himself time to move. He’s also a solid playmaker, as he can read the ice and get himself into good position to make passes with his back to the goal.
The one blemish on his game is his frame; Zegras is only about 173 pounds and needs to add some muscle mass in order to play at the NHL level. But he committed to one of the best NCAA programs in the country, and it’s easy to believe that his frame will catch up to his skill set before long.
There’s no doubt that he has the ability to play centre in the NHL, and he may even be able to fill that role on a full-time basis. He’s a smart, intelligent player that can carry the puck and read the ice well. He’s also a great skater and has the ability to create his own chance in transition.
On this bonus episode of HI/O, host Jessica Rusnak, Gazette columnist Stu Cowan and hockey analyst Andrew Berkshire discuss whether the Montreal Canadiens could acquire the Ducks’ Trevor Zegras at the March 8 trade deadline or in the offseason. Would he be a good fit? Listen below!