Ducks lose Trevor Zegras for 6-8 weeks with broken ankle

Even in a week otherwise defined by their trade for one of the top prospects in hockey and their first victory since Dec. 27, the Ducks have endured serious setbacks.

The victory, a 5-3 thumping of the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night, was kicked off by an explosive first period. That was a welcome sight for a coaching staff that was guiding its players through yet another move that seemed to trade near-term competitiveness for a shot at long-term contention after they traded a key roster player for a prospect.

That win also cost them two of their top players for the next six weeks, at a minimum.

Forward Trevor Zegras was taken down from behind, slamming his lower left extremity into the boards and, as the Ducks revealed Thursday, breaking his left ankle. He will miss six to eight weeks, the bulk of what remains in the season. Joining him in the pressbox will be rookie defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, who sustained a separated shoulder in the third period of that same contest, one the Ducks led 5-0 at one point.

Coach Greg Cronin said he addressed his team following the trade that sent Jamie Drysdale, Zegras’ former roommate and closest friend on the team, to Philadelphia along with a second-round draft pick for Boston College sophomore Cutter Gauthier. A three-goal first period that they rode toward a victory were solid initial steps, but now the Ducks’ roster will be even thinner, particularly on the blue line given the departure of Drysdale and Mintyukov’s injury.

Mintyukov, 19, has been one of the NHL’s top rookies, sitting just one assist behind the league leader among first-year players. He’s also handled some challenging defensive assignments and power-play duty effectively.