Ducks’ Trevor Zegras set to return following knee surgery

Anaheim Ducks center Trevor Zegras will return to the lineup Tuesday versus the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers after missing the past 22 games due to knee surgery, reports Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune.

Zegras has not played since an early December contest against the Pacific Division rival Vegas Golden Knights in which he left early in the second period following an awkward fall. Zegras was later diagnosed with a torn meniscus.

Limited 24 appearances on the season, Zegras has registered four goals and six assists for 10 points with a minus-seven rating. The 2024-25 campaign also marks the second-straight season in which Zegras has missed significant playing time after he was sidelined for 51 games last year due to an ankle injury.

At Ducks’ practice Monday, Zegras skated alongside fellow forwards Leo Carlsson and Alex Killorn, while also participating with the team’s second powerplay unit.

“You hate missing games, (especially) after last season,” Zegras told NHL.com contributor Dan Arritt. “I feel good. I feel confident and strong and ready to go.”

In all, through part of five seasons with Anaheim, the 23-year-old native of Bedford, N.Y., has recorded 59 goals and 105 assists for 164 points through 235 career contests, underscored by his career-high 65-point finish in 2022-23. The Ducks originally chose Zegras ninth overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.

Per PuckPedia, Zegras is in the second year of a three-year pact that carries a $5.75-million annual average value. Zegras is due to become a restricted free agent in the 2026 offseason.

In Zegras’ absence, the Ducks posted a record of 8-11-3. On the season, Anaheim sits 18-22-6 and nine points shy of the Calgary Flames for the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference. Facing the Panthers on Tuesday, the Ducks will look to rebound following Saturday’s 3-0 loss in South Florida.