Trevor Zegras, Leo Carlsson skate together in Ducks’ preseason loss to Coyotes

ANAHEIM — The Ducks continued both their rousing week in the executive suite and the uninspired stretch they’ve endured simultaneously on the ice on Thursday.

In the morning, they exalted after signing defenseman Jamie Drysdale to a three-year, $6.9 million contract extension. That concluded protracted negotiations that went beyond those of center Trevor Zegras, who signed a $17.25 million pact of commensurate length on Monday. Having the two signed for at least three more seasons and back with their teammates offered closure that was more dramatic – and delayed – than most clubs typically experienced.

While Drysdale did not suit up Thursday, the Ducks offered an unexpected glimpse of two other young standouts juxtaposed: Zegras on the left wing of 2023’s No. 2 overall pick, Leo Carlsson.

“I want [Zegras] to be on the ice with guys that can make plays and think like he does, and Leo does,” Coach Greg Cronin said. “I know that there’s been talk about Zegras playing in the middle, but if he can play on the wall and he can play with a guy like Leo, there’s going to be some chemistry there.”

“I thought Trevor, for a guy who hasn’t played a hockey game since April, was dynamic. I thought he was physical, he got in on the forecheck and he created like he does,” he added. “Leo was arguably the best player on the ice. He could have had three or four goals. That line was really good.”

Yet overall Thursday night, the Ducks were once again undone by a game-turning sequence as they were Tuesday against the Kings, this time in the second period of a 4-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes at Honda Center.

Defenseman Lassi Thomson turned the puck over behind his own net, leading to a goal by electrifying rookie center Logan Cooley, and 65 seconds later, Thomson had another defensive-zone turnover become a goal-against from Alex Kerfoot’s one-timer. In the third period, Jakob Silfverberg clipped the post with a sterling power-play chance from the low slot that soon gave way to a short-handed breakaway and a filthy penalty shot goal for Cooley. That made Matias Maccelli’s subsequent power-play marker as well as the Ducks’ late goals from Sam Carrick and Zack Kassian academic.

“The first two came directly off of our sticks on full possessions, those were kind of giveaways, that happens,” said Cronin, who described the effect of the goals as “sticker shock.”

“We as a staff will look at it and try to come up with a plan – like, it happened against L.A., too – to be more vigilant about the way we’re managing the area in front of our net,” he continued.

Cooley, who is a short-list contender for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, and Kerfoot, whom Arizona acquired from the Colorado Avalanche this offseason, put their stamp on the game. The Ducks’ newcomers included Thomson, who was claimed off waivers this week, and Alex Killorn, who remained sidelined with a broken finger. Defenseman Radko Gudas made his presence known, enmeshing a fighting major into a night when he racked up nine penalty minutes. Gudas, along with Ilya Lyubushkin and potentially Kassian could add some serious sandpaper to the Ducks this season.

“I think it’s great, at times I think that’s an area that can get overlooked,” forward Adam Henrique said. “Certain people don’t like fighting in the game but I think it’s an important role within a team still.”

DECISION LOOMING ON KASSIAN

Kassian, who is with the Ducks on a professional tryout, scored Thursday. But his hook has always been his physical play, from his time as a point-per-game power forward in his draft year to helping protect Edmonton Oilers megastar Connor McDavid for McDavid’s entire career until this season.

Henrique played with Kassian in juniors with the Peterborough Pirates and expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of signing Kassian.

“He’s great, I’d played with him in the past and I’ve always loved his game. He’s a guy that works, mucks, grinds and knows what his type of game is. He plays the game hard and he has for a long time,” Henrique said. “It’s great to have him here, you kind of wait and see what happens here in the next few days and see how things fizzle out, but I thought he’s done a great job and brought to the table what is to be expected from a guy like him.”

INJURY NOTES

Chase De Leo will miss approximately eight weeks with an MCL sprain sustained in a knee-on-knee collision Tuesday with Kings winger Arthur Kaliyev, who was suspended for four games (two regular-season matches) by the NHL on Thursday for the hit.

Zegras (mouth) and Ryan Strome (elbow) both finished Thursday’s game in some apparent discomfort but there was no indication of any serious injury nor any official update.