According to NHL insider Arthur Staple of The Athletic, the New York Rangers have no interest in moving for Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras.
Zegras is in the second year of his three-year, $17.6 million contract and has been the focus of trade rumors. The gifted forward struggled to keep fit last season and has been linked to a trade.
The Rangers have been a popular destination in mock trades for Zegras, but Staple believes New York has no interest in moving for him.
“I don’t believe the Rangers have ever been interested in Zegras, as much as the local child wishes to be a Ranger. I do not believe the Sabres have ever truly considered moving Tuch. And if the Rangers were interested in either of those players, it would require a lot more than Kakko as the focal point of whatever was going the other way,” Staple said in his story.
“After five pro seasons and 300 NHL games, Kakko isn’t a guy that other teams want. Teams undoubtedly want him, and I believe Drury has gotten bids, but nothing good – he’s a buy-low guy today,” Staple added.
As Staple points out, Zegras would want to be a Ranger considering his New York roots, but the NHL analyst doubts the team is interested in the forward.
Zegras was selected ninth overall in the 2019 NHL draft by the Ducks. He appeared in 211 NHL games, scoring 55 goals and 99 assists for 154 points.
Ducks Listening on Trade Offers for Zegras
According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the Ducks are considering trade offers for Zegras, despite the fact that he is only 23 years old and was meant to be part of the reconstruction.
Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek says the team’s goal this offseason was to build a deeper roster capable of competing for a postseason spot.
“I think if you look at last year, it was a learning curve not only for our younger players but our older players, just kind of coming in for a different coaching style and accountability standard,” the Ducks GM, Pat Verbeek, told The Athletic. “I believe that was a significant culture shock for the bulk of the players. But looking ahead to next season, I believe they made it through and now understand.
“So I believe there will be a different mindset, approach, and a much greater grasp of what is anticipated. So it will be distinct from that feature. The learning curve is going to be shorter. So, certainly, I anticipate us to take a step,” Verbeek said.
Anaheim finished 27-50-5 last season, the fourth worst record in the NHL.
Rangers GM Said Nothing Was Off The Table in The Offseason
The Rangers were eliminated from the Eastern Conference Finals by the Florida Panthers.
After New York endured another playoff elimination, Rangers general manager Chris Drury stated that nothing was off the table this offseason.
“We’re looking at a lot of different things,” Drury told the reporters on June 7. “And there are several methods to get where we want to go. For me, nothing is off the table. We’re striving to be better. We are attempting, as I have stated, to achieve the ultimate purpose here. We’re in the middle of that process right now, trying to find out what comes next and what we can do to improve.”
The Rangers signed forwards Reilly Smith and Sam Carrick this offseason.