NHL Prospect Profile Trevor Zegras

Statistics

Scout Quotes

Eliteprospects.com:

“Trevor Zegras is an elite two-way forward that can play both wing and center. His pro-level mobility is the foundation of his game, supplementing an in-transition speed that shifts the pace of play. He knows how to get under the skin of opponents and will actively seek out opportunities to lay the body and create separation, all the while staying attentive to the unfolding play.

This unique aspect of his game makes him difficult and frustrating to play against. His ability to finish and create plays is undoubtedly the hallmark of his game, as he is one of the major dynamos of his draft class. He is a dangerous scoring threat anywhere below the blue line and his vision matched with his net-drive propels him into positions that create high percentage opportunities.

Defensively astute and proactive, he sees the lanes that his opponents do and will do his best to force the puck along the wall where he is at his best. All-in-all, Zegras is one of those special buzzsaw-type players that can excel in key roles and perform under pressure. (Curtis Joe, EP 2019)”

The Draft Analyst:

Slick playmaking center with exceptional hockey sense who last year took over the NTDP’s top line after Jack Hughes and Alex Turcotte were promoted, and spent a good chunk of this season as a left wing. Zegras, who is committed to Boston University, is very dangerous with the puck and appears quite comfortable handling the responsibilities inherent in leading a talented squad’s offense.

He is both crafty and fancy with the puck, and his passes almost always are on the tape with authority. Zegras’s pass accuracy remains consistent anywhere on the ice and he’s just as dangerous threading the needle while manning the half wall as he is in open ice.

His ability to stickhandle while keeping his head up allows him to be the first to identify trailers or back-door cutters, and Zegras will use no-look centering passes on the power play to exploit an open passing lane. He’s also capable of tricking goalies with a hard, accurate shot that he can tuck under the bar from bad angles.

AJ’s Thoughts

The first thing I noticed about Zegras was that I didn’t love his skating. It won’t be a major issue moving forward but he’s not as explosive as some of his teammates and that difference really shows up. His vision is exceptional and his playmaking ability is certainly something special. That’s where scouts are going to fall in love. His ability to get pucks through traffic and setting up his teammates really stands out. He’s going to a guy who can make every play on the ice and will be a nightmare to defend when he’s on the PP.

I have questions about how much of his creativity will work at higher levels. I think college might be a big adjustment for him because he’s not going to have nearly as much space to work with to play the same kind of fancy style. NHL teams are constantly preaching to keep the game simple for a reason. Guys like this look dazzling against weaker competition but how he adjusts to much tighter checking environments will determine how far he goes.

Highlights

Avalanche Fit

It’s really not a great fit. Zegras has great skill and wing/center versatility but I really don’t see the Avalanche needing another perimeter-oriented player. I don’t like the way he plays so frequently on the outside of the ice. The NHL gives that to players because creating offense from the wall just doesn’t happen with any kind of consistency. Zegras is a talented player but he’s not so otherworldly he would challenge that defensive structure. He’s going to have big adjustments ahead to show he can remain effective with a different playstyle.

Rankings

#10 Hockeyprospect.com
#10 Bob McKenzie
#10 Future Considerations