Insider Hints At Potential Zegras Trade On Horizon For Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks just pulled off a trade to acquire Cutter Gauthier, one of the best prospects not playing in the NHL right now. Since he wasn't willing to sign in Philadelphia, the Ducks took advantage. This team now has a very bright future at forward, but do they have too much?

It is never a bad thing to have a lot of young and talented players fighting for positioning on the roster and in the lineup, but down the line it may create cap issues. Gauthier was a fifth overall pick and had a very good World Juniors tournament. He looks like he will be a good player in this league and worthy of his fifth overall selection.

The center depth of the Ducks is impressive, but not all of Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, Gauthier, and more will be down the middle. Zegras has already been shifted over to the wing, while there is a very high chance Gauthier will find himself there too. With the acquisition of Gauthier and more solid forward prospects on the near horizon for the Ducks, this may make Zegras expendable.

It is clear that the Ducks aren't ready to compete for a playoff spot in the next couple of years. This will mean Zegras will need a new contract before that happens. Even though he was injured early in the season, he struggled offensively, the biggest part of his game. He is a skill guy that just also lost his best friend to the Flyers in that trade. On the Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast, Zegras is also brought up as a potential trade candidate post-trade. He may not be in the plans moving forward, especially after the troubling start he had. Look for his name to appear in conversations throughout the season and summer if he isn't moved by the deadline. The Ducks will be asking for a good return if they are to move him anytime soon.