Flying Forward: Flyers Acquire Trevor Zegras
(Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)
It’s no secret that the Philadelphia Flyers lack depth down the middle of the ice, at the center position. General Manager Daniel Briere made a trade that could potentially help to fill some of that void.
Briere and the Flyers acquired forward Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks in an off-season trade making quite a splash. The news came on the Monday afternoon prior to the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, which takes place on Friday, June 27th and Saturday, June 28th. The Ducks received forward Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second round draft pick (number 45), and a 2026 fourth round draft pick.
Zegras is in his final season of a three-year contract, which came with a $5.75 million cap hit. The Flyers do add $3.85 million to their salary cap for the 2025-2026 season with the addition of Zegras. The versatile forward will have a “prove it” season, as he is a restricted free agent after this season. Another plus is that the Flyers have control of his contract until the end of the 2027-2028 season, when he is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
During the 2024-25 season, Zegras missed some time due to a meniscus injury. In 57 games played, he had 12 goals, 20 assists and 32 points. He averaged 17:02 of time on ice per game. The forward did have a nice ending to his season notching 17 points in his final 25 games played after the Four Nations Tournament. In his two full seasons (2021-2022 and 2022-2023), Zegras had 20-plus goals and 60-plus points in each of those seasons. Over the course of his career, injuries and inconsistencies in his game have slowed Zegras down.
The 24-year-old is versatile up front as he can play either center or wing. He isn’t the biggest player at 6’0″, 185 pounds, so he could be better suited to play the wing. If the Flyers want Zegras to play the center position then he’ll have to work on his game away from the puck, and work to improve his face-off percentage. Luckily, veteran captain Sean Couturier could help Zegras improve on these two things. Zegras will score some goals, but is better known as a creative playmaker.
Zegras has loads of potential, and the Flyers are hoping that a change of scenery, and reuniting with close friends Jamie Drysdale and Cam York, helps to bring out that potential. He could start as a center in Philly, and play with the likes of Matvei Michkov, Owen Tippett and Travis Konecny. With his creative playmaking and the finishing skills of the previously mentioned wingers, Zegras could rack up a decent number of points if he can remain healthy. If the change of scenery proves a good thing, Zegras could potentially fit into the Flyers long-term plans.
Briere and company get a B-plus for the acquisition of Zegras. The Flyers didn’t have to give up much to get him, only a bottom six forward and some draft picksand they’ll have control of his contract until the end of the 2027-2028 season. This deal has low risk, high reward potential written all over it, if Zegras can bounce back and mesh with his new teammates.
