Don’t Expect a Trevor Zegras Contract Extension Anytime Soon
Russ Cohen of Sportsology.com, NHLDraftBuzz.com, Off the Post Podcast and Sirius XM NHL Network Radio was on the Full Press NHL Podcast with Jim Biringer and was asked about a Trevor Zegras extension with the Philadelphia Flyers. Cohen stated that the Flyers should not rush into anything long-term with Zegras, and a mid-range deal might be best.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Jim Biringer: “I guess one of the missions still in Philadelphia is to figure out how long we’re gonna keep Trevor Zegras around, because he’s RFA at the end of the year, so he’s still controlled, but I believe he’s eligible for arbitration. And what do you think the Flyers are gonna look to do within long term, or like a mid-range type of deal?”
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Russ Cohen: “It’s interesting, because people are already writing, well, you should sign him long-term. It’s like, that’s what they did with Owen Tippett. That’s not working out. There’s a reason why there’s these RFA years. So you don’t rush into something and do it, and I don’t think they should rush in and do it now.
I think Zegras can be a point-a-game player, and if he is, that’s good. The problem is they got him, hoping he could be a center. He’s not going to play center. So now that you know he’s not going to play center, and you have a fair amount of wings, how much are you really willing to pay this guy? I’ve had people tell me they have to sign him, no matter what the rate is, to keep the talent in there.
And I’m thinking that’s not the way it should work in this league. If you do that, you’re not going to build your team correctly. You’re just not. Fans will be happy because they’ll be entertained, but it’s not the way to go.
So I think if he stays on the pace he’s on, then they’ll give him a long-term deal. Would I pay him 11? No. Would I pay him 10? No. Like nine is what I’d pay him. Nine would be it, because he’s still not right off puck, and there’s other things in his game he could work on, but the offense is great, and the fact that he wins in shootouts and all that, those are all the big bonuses.
And he’s terrific. Look, he’s a great guy. He plays loose. So if not, then, yeah, get him on that four-year deal. Sign up for four years at 8.5-9, and that’s it. Like, you’ll see where you are and where he is at that point.
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Again, I went back to the Travis Koncency deal, and people were like, Oh, you have to sign him long-term. And I’m like, the worst case scenario here is you sign a long-term, and by year four, when he starts declining, they’re starting to get good, and you’re going in opposite directions, and there’s a chance that happens.”
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