Anaheim Ducks select Trevor Zegras with 9th pick in 2019 NHL Entry Draft

The Anaheim Ducks have selected center Trevor Zegras in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft with the 9th overall pick.

CJ wrote a mock-draft piece on him here and John wrote a brief entry draft option piece here.

Some choice excerpts from CJ

Zegras makes his living as one of the most creative playmakers the draft has seen in years. Some of the plays he makes drag you out of your seat, throw your hands on your head, and make you want to scream, “WHAT THE HELL HOW?!”

Zegras also has some of the better set of hands in the draft. He can easily go one-on-one with defenders to create extra time and space to make decisions. His shot, while not incredible, is very underrated and could certainly be good for 20-30 goals per year if he decided to shoot more. But like Getzlaf, he is first and foremost a pass-first player, one who would prefer to set up linemates instead of taking the glory for himself.

At the very least, Zegras could give the Ducks a lethal one-two power play quarterback punch. With Zegras and Troy Terry both commanding respective power play units from the half-wall, the Ducks could be set up for many years to come with the man-advantage. Zegras may not have as high of a ceiling as fellow centers Jack Hughes or Alex Turcotte, but he has the potential to become a bonafide first line star in the NHL. If that’s what his future holds, the Ducks can check off their biggest need as they transition to a new generation of leaders.

Zegras, listed at 6’ and 174 pounds, skated for the U18 United States National Team in the 2018-19 season where he posted 26 goals and 87 points in 60 games at 18 years of age.

Zegras’ Elite Prospects profile can be found here.

Take a look at some of the highlights from Zegras’ 2018-2019 season.