Anaheim Ducks GM Blasts Trevor Zegras Haters

Anaheim Ducks rookie Trevor Zegras has taken the NHL by storm and let's just say some old heads are not enjoying the show. Zegras is a highlight reel machine and uses his creative touch perhaps better than any other rookie in NHL history. From between-the-legs shots on the regular to multiple lacrosse-style 'Michigan' goals, the kid can do it all. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek is sick and tired of all the negative noise surrounding his star player.

The first-year Ducks executive admits it's something he didn't like to see when he played but knows it's a new era and players like Zegras are taking over the league. Verbeek spoke with The Athletic's Eric Stephens and had this to say:

From my perspective, if you would have done that in my era, it's frowned upon. Right? Very frowned upon. So, I think there's still a little bit of that mentality out there. Now, we've gotten a lot of feedback. A lot of people (think) it's a positive thing. I think people light up when you watch (Connor) McDavid run through and totally undress players. ... Through the neutral zone with the speed and the skill. The ability to be able to handle the puck with speed and do that. For me, people love that. I love watching that. Now, when I watch Trevor, this is just another unreal skill set and creative way to score goals. I guess what I'm trying to do, I'm trying to really stick up for my player in the sense that there's people that really think this is hot-dogging, or it's not respecting the game. I don't feel that way anymore. He respects the game, and he respects the traditions of the game.

We saw recently during the Ducks game against the Arizona Coyotes Zegras being chirped for being too skilled out there. Coyotes broadcaster Tyson Nash criticized the 'young guy' and had this to say after the contest which included Yotes' forward Jay Beagle punching out Ducks forward Troy Terry in brutal fashion:

That's the problem sometimes with these young players. You want to embarrass guys? You wanna skill it up? You better be prepared to get punched in the mouth.

Is Nash the problem? Or, do you feel Zegras is a hot dog? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.