Anaheim Ducks potentially angering star players in RFA contract negotiations
In a new report yesterday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman speculated on the Ducks' ongoing contract negotiations with their two young and prominent restricted free agents, Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale. Talking about the state of negotiations, Friedman stated he worries that the Ducks could anger both RFAs.
The Ducks are in a horrid state as a team at the moment, but the yields of their rebuilding years are beginning to break through, and Zegras and Drysdale are part of that. In 81 games of his age 21 season last year, Zegras scored 23 goals and 65 points on a team that greatly struggled to score. Drysdale only played 8 games last season after battling injuries, but has been impressive in his 113 games played while only being 21 years old.
From previous reports on these negotiations now paired with Friedman's speculation, it seems like the Ducks are trying to significantly lower their annual salaries, potentially on long term contracts.
With the frustration seeming to seep out of these RFA negotiations, it's seeming more likely that the solution could be very short term bridge contracts, and if the relationship is damaged enough, potentially needing to trade a player if they're unwilling to sign.
