@ I wasn’t a fan of Matthews being on it twice, definitely overkill and the 2k20 cover gave him this ai looking smile lol That being said he’s a genuine superstar in the biggest hockey market
The biggest issue I personally see nowadays piggybacks off of the idea that he's being pushed into a role that doesn't fit. If you watch him play in the USA world juniors, Z's role as a center (which is the position he very strongly prefers,) looks completely different from the center that Z is pushed into on the Ducks under Cronin (when his "downfall" started.) Cronin's style of play is pretty old-timey. It's that gritty rough playoff hockey. Get pucks in deep, move pucks low to high, drive the net, get pucks on goal, look for screens and traffic. It's a tried and true way of scoring, but it's just about all he ever employs. You rarely see that kind of play develop as consistently with the Ducks under Eakins or during world juniors. Zegras is a skill player. He has hands, incredible vision, passing, and awareness. He absolutely flourishes creating chaos down low, cycling the puck, going behind the net, dishing pucks to wingers, etc. You just don't see that anymore in Anaheim. He (and many of the other Ducks players) would benefit on systems employed by teams like New Jersey or Toronto, looking to stretch the zone and be in constant motion. It's hard to produce when you're being severely limited options-wise. If you want to see how the Ducks excel, watch their recent game against Winnipeg. (12/18/2024) They play the fast puckmoving offense like New Jersey and Toronto in the first period, and you can tell it clicks. Just a shame Zegras wasn't there as well.
I think you captured it. He’s not had the best linemates who compliment his style, coaching has rightly asked him to get better in his two way game, and he’s actually done that. This alone is a testament to his capability to adapt to what he’s asked to do. Beyond that, while he has been improving his defensive game, something that can change your focus and alter your game in the first place, he’s also had to adjust to linemate chemistry issues. Add all of that together and it’s a formula for the scoresheet that people read (rather than advanced stats) to tell an incomplete story. Moreover, there has been said to be locker room issues in the Ducks org for a bit, and this can have an affect on things for any player, and has seemingly affected our entire roster. Zegras isn’t the only one struggling on this team. When it comes down to it, Zegras has a lot working against him and is still managing to make a massive difference on offensive plays on the ice. The teams xGF go up when he’s on the ice. The sad thing is that he tends to be injured when we get our mojo going as a team. Were he to be available when we do get things going, I suspect we’ll see the numbers start to climb. I get the impression that he’s going to excel when he comes back so long as our momentum continues to grow. It would seem (to this fan) that the locker room problems have been figured out a bit. Coaching should definitely make more allowances for his creativity in their strategy, but we will see. Step by step.
@@nolan13075 because the Ducks as a team are the second worst defensive 5v5 team in the league. Cronin is the worst coach in the NHL and doesn’t give them free rein to create and encourage wingers to fly the zone to generate counterattacks, which ironically would improve the defensive metrics by virtue of less time spent in their end. Everyone is deployed horribly
@@nolan13075 Killorn is a complimentary veteran 3rd liner whose game is almost impervious to coaching because he’s not a threat on the rush or as a puck carrier. He can thrive on the cycle as a passenger and he’s always been decent enough defensively. Zegras and Carlsson are dynamic puck carriers who are demons in transition with the puck on their stick. Both are high-end playmakers and line drivers. McTavish, although not as puck-dominant as the aforementioned names, has also been a huge victim of coaching. He’s more of a play-connector and one who links/chains sequences together as opposed to an elite offensive catalyst, but at his best he’s still a guy who excels in transition and has the hands and patience to delay and deceive before executing a perfectly timed slip pass between sticks and bodies. And he can protect the puck almost a la Getzlaf, another skillset that goes to waste when the team doesn’t possess the puck as much as they should be with the personnel they have. Cronin is wrongfully trying to mold McTavish into this dominant netfront guy like Brady Tkachuk, when in reality McTavish is much more of a finesse player (albeit with physical tools) than Cronin would like to admit. The system Cronin employs significantly limits ways for rush offense to materialize due to the overemphasis of the man on man style that expends energy in the defensive zone and rarely leads to any sustained o zone pressure or transitional opportunities. The system is not catered to strengths/skillsets of the team’s core whatsoever. Once it is, you’ll see production skyrocket from everyone, including Zellweger and Mintyukov on the back end who have fared decently well all things considered.
When he got hurt, he was our best player. He does so much for this team that people who don't watch the ducks consistently won't understand. Good news he may be back quicker than expected, probably closer to 4 weeks since the injury! Hopefully, he can start to prove the haters wrong. W vid 🔥
I’m a Ducks fan, and I like him. I think he’s a pretty solid player, and he got a lot of media hype early on. I think there is an enormous pressure mounted on him to be this larger than life player, but he is still developing himself in the NHL. I think that takes time, but I don’t think he’s miserable on the ducks I think he is just frustrated with how it’s going. Shoot, I’d be upset too if I kept getting injured and I had to constantly try to be a larger than life player. I just think he is a guy doing his best, and I really hope he does well and I’d love him to stay with the Ducks. My prayer for him is that God blesses him and his athletic talent, that he comes to know Jesus if he doesn’t, and that he becomes he player HE wants to be not what everyone wants him to be. No worries here!
If they started counting social media likes as an official stat, Zegras would be #1. Other than that he isn’t impressive. Been a Ducks fan all my life and he’s so overhyped by our fans.
Zegras played college hockey at my alma mater. I think he should had stayed in the college hockey game for another season tor two to develop his game. He wasn't a Celebrini or Eichel
that’s why I asked duck fans because they have a better understanding of his play. I’m no hockey analyst and never claimed to be, that’s if u were being sarcastic
If he can round out his game and get traded to a contender, I could see him putting up 70-75 points in a full season. I'd also like to see John Gibson get traded out of Anaheim. He's a much better goalie than his numbers suggest.
I think the coaching and injury is the main issues, he has ppg potential imo but cronin is trying to mold him into a gritty 2 way third line type of center which was never his game. I understand wanting to make him strong defensively however not playing into a players strengths is textbook on how to ruin a young player, if he never gets his confidence back he could be one of the biggest downfalls ever. That being said if he was put in a better offensive system and wasn’t shackled down into a role he’s not good at I think he could be a 70-85 point guy Note: I am not a ducks fan and don’t watch a ton of them as I’m a Blackhawks fan, but I’ve always followed his game as I love the American boys. And it also takes a blind eye to see that all of the ducks young elite talent have been nothing but underwhelming, IMO the organization needs to look in the mirror and change how they’re handling things as they should at least be trying to make that offense fast and high flying over defensily structured, the boys need confidence before they can make true strides
A big issue is that people think this is like basketball, where one player carries the team. This sport is far more reliant on the team as a whole for the best players to be the best. This is why Bedard is in a slump.
Since you're a Habs fan I hope you guys keep this Zegras story in mind when you get Demidov next year. Because of rampant MDS (Michkov Derangement Syndrome), Montreal press and fanbase have overhyped Demidov to stupid unnecessary levels. Even the desperate GM flew over there for no real reason given the kid will be free in 3 or 4 months anyway. For Demidov's sake I hope he can handle it all.
I don’t think Kent Hughes going to Russia to watch demidov play is a bad move at all. Some gm’s wouldn’t take the time out of their day to watch a prospect play, especially if it’s on the other side of the world. Yeah the hype is probably overwhelming and it’s normal to be excited about good young talent, but it’s also good to keep expectations at a minimum. Then again that can be said about almost anything.
@@CrossCreaseHockey "Some gm’s wouldn’t take the time out of their day to watch a prospect play, especially if it’s on the other side of the world" That's because GMs are usually doing more important things during this time of year (trade scouting, current player/ coach evaluations, etc.) than worrying about foreign prospects that they're going to get in (at most) 4 months time. Again, it reeks of desperation. And it looks like that desperation is gearing them up to throw him ASAP into the NHL. Last time I checked, that did not bode well for Zegras, nor (formerly) Drysdale (and perhaps Willy Gauthier?) on the Ducks. But again, we'll soon see. Hope I'm wrong. (Edit to move misplaced emoji)
@@CrossCreaseHockey Fair. But the Habs also could've kept tabs on him via watching video and phone calls. Demidov is not the first Russian to be drafted since the invasion of Ukraine yet Hughes is the first FO NHL person to visit. It's unnecessary and nothing but a PR stunt to show he's "doing something" involving "next superstar" Demidov because people are starting to question the "Michkov/Habs snub" again. And why are the questions coming back? Because the negative narratives that were created about that kid for the last year-and-a-half or so is not panning out in Philly. I don't know why so many in Montreal keep giving Hughes the benefit of the doubt when it comes to media reports and info. He used to be an agent and therefore knows how to spin the media in his favor. Sorry for the long response. I'm just baffled by it all.
He's a good player, its just people thought he alone would turn around the team when the ducks weren't doing good to begin with, and I'm a duck fan. Duck fans still believe in him. it's going to take time.
Not a fan of the ducks but this guy is still young I doubt he is even close to his prime hopefully he’s traded to a place he can thrive, people need to chill out and let him grow
its the org. as a ducks fan it hurts to say this but we dont deserve him. we traded all his linemates that helped him for dogshit veterans and then left him hanging out to dry. like dude how he gonna stand a chance. I hope he stays but i wouldnt blame him for requesting a trade
Gulls!!! It's the San Diego Gulls! Not Gills! Stupid AI It was Bob Murray, not Mary! If it's not AI, then whomever is doing the voiceover should learn english.
downfall haha, good joke. he played better defensivly last year, but not scored a lot... now he scores and got injuried and you want to tell me that?! haha.
@@matthewkabel6246 I've watched him. He plays on the perimeter and has no jam to his game. You aren't winning with this guy. The Ducks were real smart not going longterm on this trick shot softie.
Worst EA cover ever lol Didn’t make sense then, looks absurd now
worst? idk, but not good
@ I mean if you can come up with a worse one I’m all ears
Maybe the cover athlete curse, which normally plagues the Madden cover athletes in the NFL is carrying over to chel now
@ it kinda has carried over to the nhl games, they put Matthews on the cover TWICE and they still couldn’t make it past the first round
@ I wasn’t a fan of Matthews being on it twice, definitely overkill and the 2k20 cover gave him this ai looking smile lol That being said he’s a genuine superstar in the biggest hockey market
The biggest issue I personally see nowadays piggybacks off of the idea that he's being pushed into a role that doesn't fit. If you watch him play in the USA world juniors, Z's role as a center (which is the position he very strongly prefers,) looks completely different from the center that Z is pushed into on the Ducks under Cronin (when his "downfall" started.)
Cronin's style of play is pretty old-timey. It's that gritty rough playoff hockey. Get pucks in deep, move pucks low to high, drive the net, get pucks on goal, look for screens and traffic. It's a tried and true way of scoring, but it's just about all he ever employs. You rarely see that kind of play develop as consistently with the Ducks under Eakins or during world juniors. Zegras is a skill player. He has hands, incredible vision, passing, and awareness. He absolutely flourishes creating chaos down low, cycling the puck, going behind the net, dishing pucks to wingers, etc. You just don't see that anymore in Anaheim. He (and many of the other Ducks players) would benefit on systems employed by teams like New Jersey or Toronto, looking to stretch the zone and be in constant motion. It's hard to produce when you're being severely limited options-wise.
If you want to see how the Ducks excel, watch their recent game against Winnipeg. (12/18/2024) They play the fast puckmoving offense like New Jersey and Toronto in the first period, and you can tell it clicks. Just a shame Zegras wasn't there as well.
I think you captured it. He’s not had the best linemates who compliment his style, coaching has rightly asked him to get better in his two way game, and he’s actually done that. This alone is a testament to his capability to adapt to what he’s asked to do. Beyond that, while he has been improving his defensive game, something that can change your focus and alter your game in the first place, he’s also had to adjust to linemate chemistry issues. Add all of that together and it’s a formula for the scoresheet that people read (rather than advanced stats) to tell an incomplete story.
Moreover, there has been said to be locker room issues in the Ducks org for a bit, and this can have an affect on things for any player, and has seemingly affected our entire roster. Zegras isn’t the only one struggling on this team.
When it comes down to it, Zegras has a lot working against him and is still managing to make a massive difference on offensive plays on the ice. The teams xGF go up when he’s on the ice.
The sad thing is that he tends to be injured when we get our mojo going as a team. Were he to be available when we do get things going, I suspect we’ll see the numbers start to climb.
I get the impression that he’s going to excel when he comes back so long as our momentum continues to grow. It would seem (to this fan) that the locker room problems have been figured out a bit.
Coaching should definitely make more allowances for his creativity in their strategy, but we will see.
Step by step.
Ducks fans pretending like he's good defensively now is funny.
Said by someone who doesn’t watch the ducks
@@peeph0le why are his defensive metrics so bad, even though he doesn't usually get deployments against the top offensive competition?
@@nolan13075 because the Ducks as a team are the second worst defensive 5v5 team in the league. Cronin is the worst coach in the NHL and doesn’t give them free rein to create and encourage wingers to fly the zone to generate counterattacks, which ironically would improve the defensive metrics by virtue of less time spent in their end. Everyone is deployed horribly
@matthewkabel6246 Zegras is one of the worst on the Ducks, while guys like Killorn have decent metrics. How do you explain that away?
@@nolan13075 Killorn is a complimentary veteran 3rd liner whose game is almost impervious to coaching because he’s not a threat on the rush or as a puck carrier. He can thrive on the cycle as a passenger and he’s always been decent enough defensively.
Zegras and Carlsson are dynamic puck carriers who are demons in transition with the puck on their stick. Both are high-end playmakers and line drivers. McTavish, although not as puck-dominant as the aforementioned names, has also been a huge victim of coaching. He’s more of a play-connector and one who links/chains sequences together as opposed to an elite offensive catalyst, but at his best he’s still a guy who excels in transition and has the hands and patience to delay and deceive before executing a perfectly timed slip pass between sticks and bodies. And he can protect the puck almost a la Getzlaf, another skillset that goes to waste when the team doesn’t possess the puck as much as they should be with the personnel they have. Cronin is wrongfully trying to mold McTavish into this dominant netfront guy like Brady Tkachuk, when in reality McTavish is much more of a finesse player (albeit with physical tools) than Cronin would like to admit.
The system Cronin employs significantly limits ways for rush offense to materialize due to the overemphasis of the man on man style that expends energy in the defensive zone and rarely leads to any sustained o zone pressure or transitional opportunities. The system is not catered to strengths/skillsets of the team’s core whatsoever. Once it is, you’ll see production skyrocket from everyone, including Zellweger and Mintyukov on the back end who have fared decently well all things considered.
Why are duck fans so hard on this kid? Between injuries and playing on a garbage team he’s done pretty good to this point
Exactly, people thought he alone would turn around the team when the ducks weren't doing good to begin with, and I'm a duck fan.
When he got hurt, he was our best player. He does so much for this team that people who don't watch the ducks consistently won't understand. Good news he may be back quicker than expected, probably closer to 4 weeks since the injury! Hopefully, he can start to prove the haters wrong. W vid 🔥
One of my favourite players, I wish the best for him. Thank you for the kind words
cannot call him a superstar unless you’re talking about his tiktok
@@turnkey8740 bro 😭
I’m a Ducks fan, and I like him. I think he’s a pretty solid player, and he got a lot of media hype early on. I think there is an enormous pressure mounted on him to be this larger than life player, but he is still developing himself in the NHL. I think that takes time, but I don’t think he’s miserable on the ducks I think he is just frustrated with how it’s going. Shoot, I’d be upset too if I kept getting injured and I had to constantly try to be a larger than life player. I just think he is a guy doing his best, and I really hope he does well and I’d love him to stay with the Ducks. My prayer for him is that God blesses him and his athletic talent, that he comes to know Jesus if he doesn’t, and that he becomes he player HE wants to be not what everyone wants him to be. No worries here!
Gulls not "Gills" 🙄
@@irafair3015 yes yes I know I’m dumb 😭
@@CrossCreaseHockey I didn't say that. You're not dumb, just mistaken. No hate here.
all good thank you for watching 🙏
4:53 wait, u a habs fan????? Yoooo let's gooooo, I'm also a habs fan as well. Go habs go 🔴⚪️🔵
Go habs go 🔴⚪️🔵
It’s like Jack Eichel when he got traded from Buffalo. He needs to get traded to a good contender to get his career back on track!
the San Diego GULLS not Gills. Like Seagulls.
@@supertaj1800 that’s my bad 😭
@@CrossCreaseHockey just had to say. All good though.
Marcus Pettersson, Drew O'Connor, Noel Acciari and Jack St Ivany to the Ducks for Trevor Zegras to the Pens.
pens comeback?
If they started counting social media likes as an official stat, Zegras would be #1. Other than that he isn’t impressive. Been a Ducks fan all my life and he’s so overhyped by our fans.
This is one of the dumbest and most ignorant comments I've seen
He is impressive. Why do some sports fans have this mentality of athletes not being impressive unless they are the best in the league?
Zegras played college hockey at my alma mater. I think he should had stayed in the college hockey game for another season tor two to develop his game. He wasn't a Celebrini or Eichel
2:47 hell of an edit on the transition
thank you 🙏
“i cant answer that question, i dont watch the ducks” sick video 😭
that’s why I asked duck fans because they have a better understanding of his play. I’m no hockey analyst and never claimed to be, that’s if u were being sarcastic
Zegras is a beast, he's gonna be fine.
Wait what? Huston’s production is incredible. Nobody is criticizing his production.
nobody should be, but I’ve seen so many people on twitter say shit about his game
@ They’re trolls.
If he can round out his game and get traded to a contender, I could see him putting up 70-75 points in a full season. I'd also like to see John Gibson get traded out of Anaheim. He's a much better goalie than his numbers suggest.
The fans and players in Anaheim love Z. Every game is not as fun to watch when he’s not on the ice.
Nobody is washed by 23. Give him time.
I think the coaching and injury is the main issues, he has ppg potential imo but cronin is trying to mold him into a gritty 2 way third line type of center which was never his game. I understand wanting to make him strong defensively however not playing into a players strengths is textbook on how to ruin a young player, if he never gets his confidence back he could be one of the biggest downfalls ever. That being said if he was put in a better offensive system and wasn’t shackled down into a role he’s not good at I think he could be a 70-85 point guy
Note: I am not a ducks fan and don’t watch a ton of them as I’m a Blackhawks fan, but I’ve always followed his game as I love the American boys. And it also takes a blind eye to see that all of the ducks young elite talent have been nothing but underwhelming, IMO the organization needs to look in the mirror and change how they’re handling things as they should at least be trying to make that offense fast and high flying over defensily structured, the boys need confidence before they can make true strides
Wow really good video man went to check out your channel and couldn’t believe you only have 67 subs
Keep up the great content man
appreciate the support 🙏
A big issue is that people think this is like basketball, where one player carries the team. This sport is far more reliant on the team as a whole for the best players to be the best. This is why Bedard is in a slump.
*Gulls not ‘Gills’
He's just young and don't have a supporting team. I'm a Flyers fan and I'd love to see him with Drysdale again🔥🔥🔥
Since you're a Habs fan I hope you guys keep this Zegras story in mind when you get Demidov next year. Because of rampant MDS (Michkov Derangement Syndrome), Montreal press and fanbase have overhyped Demidov to stupid unnecessary levels. Even the desperate GM flew over there for no real reason given the kid will be free in 3 or 4 months anyway. For Demidov's sake I hope he can handle it all.
I don’t think Kent Hughes going to Russia to watch demidov play is a bad move at all. Some gm’s wouldn’t take the time out of their day to watch a prospect play, especially if it’s on the other side of the world.
Yeah the hype is probably overwhelming and it’s normal to be excited about good young talent, but it’s also good to keep expectations at a minimum. Then again that can be said about almost anything.
@@CrossCreaseHockey "Some gm’s wouldn’t take the time out of their day to watch a prospect play, especially if it’s on the other side of the world"
That's because GMs are usually doing more important things during this time of year (trade scouting, current player/ coach evaluations, etc.) than worrying about foreign prospects that they're going to get in (at most) 4 months time. Again, it reeks of desperation. And it looks like that desperation is gearing them up to throw him ASAP into the NHL. Last time I checked, that did not bode well for Zegras, nor (formerly) Drysdale (and perhaps Willy Gauthier?) on the Ducks. But again, we'll soon see. Hope I'm wrong.
(Edit to move misplaced emoji)
I see ur perspective but Hughes still made a trade while he was in Russia
@@CrossCreaseHockey Fair. But the Habs also could've kept tabs on him via watching video and phone calls. Demidov is not the first Russian to be drafted since the invasion of Ukraine yet Hughes is the first FO NHL person to visit. It's unnecessary and nothing but a PR stunt to show he's "doing something" involving "next superstar" Demidov because people are starting to question the "Michkov/Habs snub" again. And why are the questions coming back? Because the negative narratives that were created about that kid for the last year-and-a-half or so is not panning out in Philly.
I don't know why so many in Montreal keep giving Hughes the benefit of the doubt when it comes to media reports and info. He used to be an agent and therefore knows how to spin the media in his favor.
Sorry for the long response. I'm just baffled by it all.
@ I understand and respect ur opinion, even if I disagree
great vid😀😀😀😀
thank you 🙏
He’s got the worst coach in the NHL
He's a good player, its just people thought he alone would turn around the team when the ducks weren't doing good to begin with, and I'm a duck fan. Duck fans still believe in him. it's going to take time.
Not a fan of the ducks but this guy is still young I doubt he is even close to his prime hopefully he’s traded to a place he can thrive, people need to chill out and let him grow
its the org. as a ducks fan it hurts to say this but we dont deserve him. we traded all his linemates that helped him for dogshit veterans and then left him hanging out to dry. like dude how he gonna stand a chance. I hope he stays but i wouldnt blame him for requesting a trade
“I’m only a habs fan” means that you can’t watch other NHL teams?! Absolute moronic statement
ummm I don’t watch duck games because they’re on very late at night for me, what u want me to do? 😭
@ fair enough dude lol
Hutson is not the next Cale Maker he is the next Tyson Barrie
1:54 San Diego GULLS, not Gills.
Superstar?😅
Gulls!!! It's the San Diego Gulls! Not Gills! Stupid AI
It was Bob Murray, not Mary!
If it's not AI, then whomever is doing the voiceover should learn english.
no im a real person 😭 and gulls one is accurate and an honest mistake
Trevor Zegras is not a superstar, so don't call him that😂
DML MENTION
I want him to be traded. He just get injured to much maybe somewhere else he won’t get hurt anymore. Good player though just been cursed with injuries
He’s probably just being watched now and his teammates can’t bail him out when he’s getting targeted. Idk though because I never watch the guy.
The only way to win n the NHL with a small skill forward on you top line is if you surround them with big bodes and 3+ future HOFers.
He'll be buried and out of the league in no time.
Satire for sure
Nah
The cover athlete curse is real!😮
All that cared about was doing the Michigan he doesn’t care about winning
He has really good talent he still has time maybe get traded
move him to carolina and he would flourish with necas and robinson.
Im a ducks fan I believe in the guy im not giving up on him I believe he goin to prove people wrong
Nice video bro
Thank you 🙏
Has he tried cutting his hair?
Trade for Morgan Frost straight up
Lego rock 99 reference :)
ummm I watch him but where in the video is there a reference? maybe there is and I just don’t get it 😭
might be NYR at end of yesr
He’s not and never was a superstar.
Go
Kings
Go
Prep school, college boy hotdog. What do you expect. ;-)
Ruined ea nhl
downfall haha, good joke. he played better defensivly last year, but not scored a lot...
now he scores and got injuried and you want to tell me that?! haha.
10 points in 25 games this season isn’t good tho
He is over rate
As it turns out skilling it up doesn't transfer too well in the big boy league.
The best hockey RUclipsr out there, and he’s only getting started.
That’s a massive compliment 🫶🏼
@@CrossCreaseHockey its kinda fading tho
@@randomfellaontheblock just rewatch the tape
The kid is soft and he’s only good against players his age.
Stop calling him a superstar. He’s an overrated bum
You have zero clue what the term overrated means
Soft perimeter high skill trick shot player who doesn't battle hard or play defence.
Zegras attacks the middle with regularity to create space for others and is an underrated forechecker, you definitely don't watch the guy
@@matthewkabel6246 I've watched him. He plays on the perimeter and has no jam to his game. You aren't winning with this guy. The Ducks were real smart not going longterm on this trick shot softie.
@@wallace44able based on that misinformed comment you most definitely don’t watch him lmao