Trevor Zegras looked like the future of the Anaheim Ducks just a few seasons ago. The flashy center was putting up 60-point seasons and making highlight-reel plays that had hockey fans talking. But by June 2025, he was packing his bags for Philadelphia, traded away despite having only one year left on his contract. Why did the Ducks give up on their young star so quickly?
Why Did the Ducks Always Have Trevor Zegras on the Trade Block?
Zegras was selected ninth overall by the Ducks in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft. The 24-year-old center accumulated 186 points (67 goals and 119 assists) in 268 regular-season games during his time in Anaheim. He showed flashes of brilliance early in his career, including a career-high 65 points in 81 regular-season games during the 2022-23 season.
His college career at Boston University was equally strong, where he was named a finalist for Hockey East Rookie of the Year for the 2019-20 season. Despite these numbers, Zegras was always high on the Ducks’ list of tradeable players.
In a recent “The Steve Dangle Podcast” appearance, Chris Johnston explained why the Ducks had always been ready to trade Zegras away. When asked about the constant trade rumors surrounding the young center, Johnston revealed that the team had concerns about trusting Zegras in crucial matches.
“Well, he was in those [trade] rumors initially because they were worried,” Johnston said. “And keep in mind, this was even under a previous administration than Pat Verbeek, that he was a one-dimensional player.”
Chris Johnston: Re Trevor Zegras trade: He was in those rumours initially because they were worried…he was a one dimensional player; they got to the point where the relationship was strained – Steve Dangle Podcast (Jul 15)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 17, 2025
What Went Wrong Between Zegras and the Ducks Organization?
According to Johnston, the issues with Zegras predated current GM Pat Verbeek, who joined the Ducks in 2022. The management had harbored similar concerns about the center even before Verbeek’s arrival. While Zegras put up solid offensive numbers in his first three seasons, the organization questioned his commitment to becoming a complete player.
“You know, he had those two 60-point seasons really early in his career, but they had concerns internally with that team about his commitment to becoming a more trusted player, someone they could play the kind of minutes you want with that young star and be trusted defensively,” Johnston explained.
The relationship between Zegras and the organization gradually deteriorated over time. Johnston noted that while Zegras was beginning to show the changes the Ducks wanted to see, it was too late to repair the damaged relationship. The trust between player and organization had eroded to the point where a trade became inevitable.
In June 2025, just days before NHL free agency opened, the Ducks traded Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers. The deal sent the 24-year-old center to Philadelphia in exchange for Ryan Poehling, a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
While Zegras showcased his offensive talents earlier in his career, his later seasons were marked by decline, with injuries playing a significant role in his underwhelming performance on the ice. The trade represents the end of a promising but ultimately unfulfilled chapter in Anaheim, as the Ducks move forward without their former first-round pick.
