Trevor Zegras and the Montreal Canadiens: a journalist just made a post about a major trade that seems possible

PUBLICATION

Elias Edmonson
September 17, 2023 (4:11 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

They have one of the richest prospect pools in the NHL and many talented young players in their lineup, but they are far from being complete. As should not be expected, much like the executives mentioned on Monday at the golf tournament, that the team will participate in the upcoming playoffs, it is highly likely that they will be in the race for them for a long time.

Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes both advocated for patience earlier this week, but the CH could also be just one or two key additions away from taking the team to another level.

On this matter, Rob Couch from the site TheHockeyNews thinks that Kent Hughes should pay close attention to what is currently happening in Anaheim.

Why? Because according to the columnist, Trevor Zegras will not be a duck for much longer! Indeed, the star player, who also does not yet have a contract on the fringes of the next campaign, could very well be the one who will be sacrificed in Anaheim.

This publication has had the effect of a bomb on social networks. It truly gives hope.

With a rather full center line, one of Zegras, Mason McTavish or Leo Carlsson will be moved to the wing, or even traded. It will assuredly be up to Zegras to make this sacrifice as the team is much more likely to move a ninth overall pick, who is being difficult with his first contract extension, than a second or third overall pick who is younger and undoubtedly has more to offer.

The excellent Elliotte Friedman recently mentioned that the American's next contract will be a short one. The Ducks don't seem inclined, for the moment, to roll out the red carpet for the young man, as they did for Troy Terry who signed a seven-year contract this offseason. It's therefore the ideal time for Kent Hughes to get involved in this matter.

While the situation with Anaheim is somewhat laborious, the CH is a very logical destination for Zegras. The fact that he is a very good friend of Cole Caufield and seems to get along very well with Martin St-Louis helps more than you might think.

Indeed, the one who has no movement clause in his contract, and apparently will not have one, will have a say in his future destination (if he wishes to leave the Ducks). A little poaching by Caufield would therefore help greatly.

Zegras joining the Blue-White-Red would greatly solidify the CH's center line. He could very well be in the top-6 with Nick Suzuki, while Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook and Sean Monahan (for now) would take place in the bottom-6. It's even possible to play around with this and place Newhook and Dach on the wing. The options are definitely there.

Do you think a transaction to acquire Zegras would be expensive? It wouldn't be so bad since the CH has many trade assets. As previously mentioned, the CH has an excellent pool of prospects and not all of them will be able to reach the NHL with the CH. A few will, or should, be sacrificed.

Regarding the space under the salary cap, it's not a major issue. Kent Hughes has managed very well in recent months to relieve heavy salaries and, as mentioned in a previous article, will have nearly 15M$ of play as early as next summer. It could even be more if we add Carey Price's contract to the LTIR...

This makes a lot of space to work with and Kent Hughes can start showing a lot of creativity. He could even show us what he can do with Zegras, right now!