The Anaheim Ducks can’t score. In fact, their current goals for per game rate of 1.94 would be the third-lowest mark of the last decade, only behind two Buffalo Sabres teams (’14 and ’15) that finished at the very bottom of the NHL standings. That rate is lower even than the 2019-20 Detroit Red Wings who won just 17 games and posted a historically-low points percentage.
The Anaheim Ducks can’t score.
Somehow though, the Ducks aren’t at the bottom of the NHL standings. They aren’t even in last place in the West Division, instead sitting at 6-7-3 through their first 16 games. Their relatively low mark of 2.56 goals against per game would indicate that if they could just score a little more, they actually might be a formidable opponent. Perhaps even push for a playoff spot this season.
Enter Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, the team’s top two prospects who are currently dominating in the AHL.
Zegras, 19, was the ninth overall pick in 2019 and has seven points through his first five professional games. The tournament scoring leader and MVP at the recent World Juniors, Zegras has almost limitless offensive potential and could likely help the Ducks’ powerplay the moment he steps on the ice.
Drysdale, 18, meanwhile has five points in his own first five pro games and given he’s a defenseman, has heads turning already. The sixth-overall pick in 2020, Drysdale is an elite puck-moving option, and though his actual scoring upside may not be quite as high as Zegras, his mobility and ability to get the puck quickly to his forwards would help the Anaheim attack.
Remember though that player development is a tricky, always evolving thing. The Ducks obviously have high hopes for the pair and want them to be ready before forcing them into NHL games. The fact that the team wasn’t really expected to challenge for the Stanley Cup this season may be a huge factor as well, given many organizations don’t want to bring their top young players into losing situations.
In Drysdale’s case specifically, they might not be able to keep him in the minors forever. The 18-year-old would normally not be eligible to play there, but with the OHL still suspended he is allowed to suit up in the minor leagues. Once that changes—recent developments have provided some encouragement that the OHL can hold a shortened season in the coming months—Drysdale would need to move up to the NHL or be returned to his Erie Otters team.
For Zegras, there’s nothing forcing him out of the AHL at the moment. As a college player who turned pro last spring, he is eligible for the minors even though he’s just 19.
It’s important to note that in both cases, playing in more than seven NHL games would activate their entry-level contracts. Currently, both Zegras and Drysdale are slide candidates, meaning the three-year deal wouldn’t kick in until next season, keeping them away from restricted free agency longer. But with the Ducks struggling to score and the AHL proving no trouble, is it time to call them up anyway?
Cast your vote below, making sure to explain your plan in the comments.
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I officially voted for “Call them both up.” Don’t worry about that petty “Now, we’ll have less cost certainty on them!” Yeah, how about that. Here’s a novel thought – try getting back to your winning ways sooner, rather than later. Wait too long, and you might not have much of a fan base to come back to The Pond. We are, however, dealing with Trader Bob, though…
Mac Jab-you know where I stand. Dineen is working them to death in SD;leave them there. He is teaching them the pro game. There’s more talent in San Diego than Anaheim. Plus,I see Gibson going to Pittsburgh. Just a hunch.
Why burn the year of the contract? Is there a playoff spot on the horizon,followed by a long run? No fans in the arena to tickle the fan base.
Boozer Bob should just trade them so they can have happy lives and great careers,lol.
(And you know how I feel about Anaheim.)
@Dave – Very true, about the Gulls, that’s for sure. I keep forgetting that ANA isn’t on the verge of getting a bunch of fans back in the barn, unlike the growing number of other markets that are sneaking hostages, er… folks in. And, I agree that KD guy in SD is, by all accounts, a more-than-solid coach there (loved him as a player), coming from a pretty solid family tree. He was a topic of conversation by Ms. Caroline Ouellette the other day, too. Plenty of well-deserved praise when he was bench boss of the Ladies’ Team Canada Olympic Team.
I think I was being a somewhat selfish fan of prospects that are looking like they are ready to be on the fast-track to the Big Show. But, you’re right about letting them get developed by a guy with major cred.
Gibby could get shipped to the ‘Burgh, though? That’d be one of the “WOW” trades of the year! Maybe Trader Bob could “opt-out” for a gig in Magnitogorsk? ;)
The Ducks have looked better lately, but I’d rather not have them around that tire fire. Let the Ducks stink it up, fire Bob, stop the ‘Derek Grant is good’ mantra and move on.
They just need to play my Kings more often.
Leave them down in the AHL. It seems like the Gulls will have a playoff caliber season. The experience that Zegras would gain in more meaningful games in the AHL would go a long way. As for Drysdale, going back to the OHL and give him the task of winning the Memorial Cup (similar to Zegras winning gold at the World Juniors) would show he can carry a team. In addition to both, let them gain strength and experience playing and with Zegras, he could be a solid candidate for the Calder next year which would draw in fans into the stands.