Zegras' New Deal Could Help Him Get Out of Anaheim

While they collectively agreed that the three-year deal with an average annual value of $5.75 million represents fair compensation, the relatively short duration suggests that the team may not have as much confidence in the player as one might expect given his impressive talent.

Pat Verbeek, the new Ducks GM, is well-known for his old-school approach to hockey. Zegras, on the contrary, embodies the new-school style, showcasing his skill and creativity at every opportunity. The contract appears to indicate that the Ducks organization does not currently view Zegras as a franchise-defining player, at least not at this stage.

Kypreos observed that Verbeek desires to see Zegras refine the finer aspects of his game and doesn't perceive him as a superstar just yet, despite Zegras already gracing an NHL game cover. Kypreos further suggested that if Zegras fails to establish himself as an NHL star, he may be traded before the contract expires. Notably, Zegras will become a restricted free agent (RFA) at the conclusion of this deal.

Friedman added that if Zegras does indeed prove himself as a superstar, and the Ducks aim to sign him for the long term, these contract negotiations could serve as a point of leverage for Zegras in future negotiations.

Regardless of how things unfold, it appears that the Ducks have unwittingly put themselves in a challenging position.

On the other hand, if he does progress and scores 75 or more points this season, his price tag at the end of the contract could skyrocket, potentially straining his relationship with team management. It's conceivable that Zegras might take offense at earning less than players like Alex Killorn.

Don't be surprised if Zegras moves out from Anaheim sooner than later.

As seen on House of Hockey - Insider Reveals Zegras' New Contract Could Directly Lead To A Trade