Trevor Zegras Signs His Entry Level Contract With Anaheim: Slide Rule Explanation

Originally reported by Eric Stephens, of the Athletic, and Elliott Teaford, of the OC Register, and since confirmed by the Ducks’ website, Trevor Zegras has signed his entry level contract (ELC) with the Ducks. Now that he has signed his deal, he is no longer eligible for NCAA hockey and will report either to the Ducks or Gulls if and when the season resumes.

Team yet to confirm but heard from other sources that Trevor Zegras has signed an entry-level deal with #NHLDucks. Was expected. Hearing it's three years. This piece is an inkling into what this hot prospect is all about. Free 90-day trial going on.https://t.co/OBiAdAXbXn

— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) March 27, 2020

#NHLDucks expected to announce later today they have signed top draft pick Trevor Zegras to a three-year entry-level contract. More soon.

— Elliott Teaford (@ElliottTeaford) March 27, 2020

As our own Tony Leo mentioned in his article yesterday, this means that help is on the way. Zegras is the first bonafide stud prospect that the Ducks have had in a very long time. Him signing his ELC means that he is officially in the Ducks’ system and will be on the Ducks sooner rather than later.

NEWS: We have signed 2019 first-round pick Trevor Zegras to a three year entry-level contract. https://t.co/NJjjMbXrHC

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 27, 2020

Zegras will be eligible for the AHL playoffs if and when the AHL resumes. In a slow time for hockey, this will provide a jolt of excitement for all Ducks fans. The eyes will be on San Diego.

It is important to note the ELC slide rules in this situation. The following quote is from CapFriendly:

“If a player who is signed to an entry-level contract and is 18 or 19 years of age (as of September 15 of the signing year), does not play in a minimum of 10 NHL games (including both regular season and playoffs; AHL games do not count), their contract is considered to ‘slide’, or extend, by one year.

For example, if a player signed an ELC for three seasons from 2015-16 to 2017-2018, and their contract slides, their contract is now effective from 2016-17 to 2018-19. An exception to this rule is that if the player is 19 on September 15 of the first year of their contract, and turns 20 between September 16 and December 31, their contract does not slide.”

As such, Zegras will not burn a year off of his ELC for the 2019-2020 season unless the season resumes and he plays in 10 or more games, and he will not burn a year off his ELC for the 2020-2021 season unless he plays 10 or more NHL games over that season. More likely than not Zegras will play 10 games in the 2020-2021 season, but it is something to keep an eye on.