June 5, 2024 | 9:52am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

DUCKS STILL LISTENING ON GIBSON, ZEGRAS

Trevor Zegras, forward

Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek expects to be active this off-season, as he aims to improve his roster for the 2024-25 campaign and help his team’s chances at making the playoffs.

With over $33 million in salary space to play with, Verbeek is planning to add to his lineup and wants to acquire, either via trade or free agency, a top-six forward and a top-four defenceman.

In an interview with Pierre LeBrun for The Athletic, Verbeek admitted he is “expecting us to take a step” next season and will do what he can to assist.

“I’m trying to make our lineup deeper while having the younger kids gain more experience, learn from veteran players and not have to bear the burden of producing offensively,” Verbeek told LeBrun.

As he riffles through his options, he acknowledged that he is still taking trade inquiries on goaltender John Gibson and young star Trevor Zegras.

Gibson has attracted interest for the last two seasons, but Verbeek has not yet found a move that fits for both the team and the netminder.

“John’s still a really good goalie,” Verbeek said. “Obviously there’s a market for goalies out there.”

In addition to Gibson, goalies Jacob Markstrom, Juuse Saros, Linus Ullmark, Filip Gustavsson, Elvis Merlizins and Joonas Korpisalo are all available for trade.

Verbeek declined to comment on Zegras and his availability, but teams have been reaching out to Anaheim since last off-season and trade talks are expected to pick up this month. Multiple sources have confirmed to TFP that teams like the Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators, among others, have expressed interest in Zegras.