The Anaheim Ducks announced that Trevor Zegras will be sidelined for at least six weeks after the forward underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Zegras was injured on Dec. 4, when he landed awkwardly as he fell backward while Vegas center William Karlsson was defending him in the first period. The timeline for his return starts at the end of January, if he suffers no setbacks.
This is the third injury within the last 12 months that will keep Zegras out for a significant amount of time. The talented forward, who has played at center and wing for Anaheim, played in only 31 games last season as he recovered from a groin issue and a broken ankle that required surgery.
While there is concern that he has suffered three leg-related injuries in a relatively short period, the Ducks were pleased that Zegras did not suffer a major knee injury, as was initially feared, and that he is expected to make a full recovery.
This season, Zegras has four goals, six assists and a minus-7 rating at even strength in 24 games with the Ducks. He’s seen his offensive point totals dwindle in the past seasons while working on becoming a more responsible, defensively sound forward.
Zegras, whose name regularly comes up in trade chatter, is in the second year of a three-year contract extension that carries a $5.75 million salary-cap hit. In 2022, Zegras was a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie, losing out as a runner-up to Detroit’s Moritz Seider.
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(Photo of Trevor Zegras: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)