Ducks Mysteriously Bench Trevor Zegras

The Anaheim Ducks and Trevor Zegras have a difficult relationship. A long contract dispute already had ties suffering, and after tonight, Zegras can't be happy.

Ducks head coach Greg Cronin has a reputation for his abrasive and firm approach. He's never afraid to punish players - even if team success is at risk.

Chasing the game in the third period, it would be logical to put out the teams' most dynamic offensive player, but Cronin decided to bench Zegras for the entire period.

While he didn't have a great game up until that point, he is much more likely to create a scoring opportunity than their less talented players.

While it definitely sends a message to the team that players will be held accountable for bad performances, it also sends a message that the team doesn't put emphasis on winning games.

Benching top players may motivate them to play better, but with Zegras' ties to the Ducks already partially severed, it could also lead him to requesting a trade.

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