The Montreal Canadiens are nearing the completion of their rebuild, and one potential trade proposal involves acquiring star forward Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks.
PuckPedia’s new tool, PuckGM, allows users to create their own trade scenarios, and one user suggested a deal where the Ducks would trade Zegras to the Canadiens.
In this proposed trade:
**Canadiens receive:**
– Trevor Zegras
**Ducks receive:**
– Logan Mailloux
– 2025 first-round pick
– 2025 second-round pick
At first glance, this appears to be a steep price for the Canadiens to pay for Zegras. However, Zegras, who is just 23 years old, is entering the second year of his three-year, $17.25 million contract. He is also close friends with Canadiens star forward Cole Caufield, which could lead to an instant connection on the ice.
Despite being a former first-round pick and still young, Zegras has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate as he may benefit from a change of scenery. Last season, he recorded just 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists) in 31 games.
In return, Montreal would send their 2025 first- and second-round picks along with prospect Mailloux. Mailloux, a defenseman drafted in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, faces a crowded path to the NHL given Montreal’s solid defensive depth, making him potentially expendable.
Zegras on Trade Block
Zegras has been a topic of trade discussions this offseason, as the former first-round pick might benefit from a new environment.
According to NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, multiple NHL teams are showing interest in Zegras, including the Canadiens.
“Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has set a high asking price for Zegras, and several teams have maintained their interest in the 23-year-old. At least eight teams, including the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames, and Buffalo Sabres, have shown serious interest. I believe other teams are also in the mix,” Pagnotta wrote in his article.
Pagnotta adds that Zegras and his representatives are open to a potential move. However, he’s also willing to stay in Anaheim and contribute to the Ducks’ rebuilding efforts.
Canadiens Quiet in Free Agency
Montreal had a quiet offseason, with the Canadiens focusing on re-signing their own players. The team didn’t sign any new players on July 1, as general manager Kent Hughes emphasized the importance of not rushing into decisions that could negatively impact the future.
“We didn’t approach today with a sense of urgency to achieve specific goals. In free agency, there’s a risk of making decisions you might later regret if you’re too determined to acquire something,” Hughes explained.
“So, we wanted to approach the day with discipline. If we could make a move within certain parameters, we would, but otherwise, we’re content to wait and see if something develops, whether through free agency later or via trade,” Hughes added.
Ultimately, Montreal focused on re-signing key players like Juraj Slafkovsky, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, and Justin Barron, who are vital to their core.
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