ANAHEIM, California — Trevor Zegras and the Anaheim Ducks agreed to a contract extension, keeping their dynamic center in the fold for at least three more seasons.
Zegras’ extension is worth $17.25 million, with an annual salary cap hit of $5.75 million. He was a restricted free agent.
The 22-year old Zegras had a team-high 65 points last season, becoming the third-youngest NHL player to lead his team in points. He set a career high in assists with 42 and matched his personal best in goals (23).
He is only the second player in the franchise’s 30-year history to reach 60 points in multiple seasons before turning 23.
Zegras was the ninth overall pick by the Ducks in the 2019 draft after a season at Boston University.
He finished second in voting for the Calder Trophy in 2021-22 after becoming only the third American NHL player to surpass 60 points as a rookie.
Zegras impressed fans with his scoring tactics, which went viral that season because of two “Michigan goals.”
That’s a lacrosse-style score when a player scoops up the puck with the blade of the stick and then tries to whip the stick around the net and put the puck in the top corner of the net over the goalie’s shoulder.
The center, Anaheim’s first-round pick in 2019, made his NHL debut in 2021. In his first full season, Zegras was a finalist for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year while generating massive buzz for his flashy stick skills, including pulling off a “Michigan goal” with teammate Sonny Milano in a January 2022 game against the Canadiens. That helped land Zegras as a cover athlete for the EA NHL 2023 video game.
Zegras is the second player in Ducks history to reach 60 points multiple times before age 23, following Hall of Famer Paul Kariya.
“We are very pleased to be able to get Trevor signed and back on the ice where he belongs,” Ducks GM Pat Verbeek said in a statement.
“We view Trevor as a critical and valued player and member of our organization and can’t wait to see the next chapter in his career.”
Verbeek was hired by the Ducks in February 2022, and is tasked with engineering a rebuild. Anaheim has not made the playoffs since 2018.
The Ducks have a new coach for this season, Greg Cronin, and still have business to get done before opening night. Defenseman Jamie Drysdale, a restricted free agent, is still negotiating a new deal.
Zegras, a New York native, came up through the United States development team programme and played for one season at Boston University.
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