One move has changed the complexion of the roster ever so slightly after the Philadelphia Flyers acquired Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks earlier Monday.
General manager Daniel Brière has shown a proclivity in waiting out of his opposition before striking for a value-deal. He did so with Toronto when he traded Scott Laughton for Nikita Grebenkin and a first round pick, he did the same with Colorado when he shipped Sean Walker for a first round pick, and once again with the Ducks when he was put between a rock and a hard place with Cutter Gauthier.
The Flyers had been in on Zegras for quite some time but the cost of acquisition was always too high. They were even in on him earlier this season before Philadelphia moved Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee to the Calgary Flames.
Elliotte Friedman alluded to earlier in the day that the Ducks were in ‘significant discussions’ over Zegras with multiple teams and that a trade was more or less likely to occur. Fast forward about an hour later the Flyers came through as the victors, having shipped Ryan Poehling, a 2nd round pick in 2025, and a 4th round pick in 2026 the other way.
What’s even more important about this trade is the fact that the Flyers didn’t have to empty the cupboard outside of the 45th overall pick in this year’s draft. That means they still have all 3 first round picks and 3 additional second rounders.
Adding a centre was a top priority move for the Flyers because, outside of Sean Couturier and Noah Cates, the team was severely lacking in that department. Adding in the fact that Couturier and Cates are probably better fits as a 2C/3C combo, meant the Flyers needed to acquire someone as soon as possible.
They’ve held interest in Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi but the price was too high and, as evidenced by Vancouver’s recently reported proposal of the 15th overall pick and a roster player, the Flyers did well to steer clear for the time being.
Rossi’s contract demands were also seen as a deterrent for most teams that held interest in the Austrian centre. Unlike Rossi though, Zegras still has one year remaining on his contract until he enters restricted free agency in 2026. Also unlike Rossi, Zegras had a bit of a down year with just 12 goals and 32 points in 57 games played.
Zegras has found it difficult to stay healthy in recent years but his production has taken a hit since notching back-to-back 60+ point seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Zegras avoided the sophomore slump with 23 goals and 61 points in 2021-22 before upping the ante with 65 points the following year.
He skated in just 31 games in 2023-24 due to an ankle injury that cost him nearly 2.5 months. He ultimately finished the year on a high note with 8 points in his final 8 games but it didn’t translate to 2024-25 all that well.
Before his injury in 2024-25, Zegras had just 4 goals and 10 points in 24 games to start the year and was in the middle of a lot of trade rumours. Unfortunately he tore his meniscus in his right knee and that ended up costing him close to 7 weeks of game action.
He was a far better version of himself coming out of the 4 Nations break as he finished the year with 6 goals and 17 points in 25 games. He was playing a top-6 role for most of it but more importantly, he found his groove back ever so slightly. That is was the Flyers are hoping to get out of him this year.
2025-26 essentially becomes a prove-it year for the 24-year-old from Bedford, New York. He has struggled to stay healthy and produce at the same level we’ve seen before and while he carries a lot of talent and potential, that can only take you so far. He needs to return to the form that saw him explode offensively between 2021 and 2023 and perhaps a change of scenery will do him good.
With the Flyers he becomes their most skilled centre, he will likely command PP1 minutes, he can form some real solid chemistry with the plethora of wingers the Flyers possess, and he is reunited with his good friends in Jamie Drysdale and Cam York – which could perhaps push the latter into signing a new contract in short order.
Acquiring Zegras right before the draft also adds a bit of intrigue and mystery in how they’re going to approach the first round. All eyes are on that 6th overall selection and based on mock drafts and draft rankings, it’s anyone’s guess who is going to fall at #6 for the Flyers.
Being able to add Zegras to the fold alleviates a bit of pressure in having to draft a centre rather than going for the best player available regardless of position. If it so happens that James Hagens or Caleb Desnoyers drops to 6, that will make the decision quite clear, but if Porter Martone has found his way into the Flyers’ grasp, you have to go with the best player available
Adding centres will probably be a theme of the draft especially with 2 late firsts and picks 36, 40, and 48 in the second round. There will be plenty of options from Braeden Cootes, Cullen Porter, Jack Murtagh, and Shane Vansaghi to choose from in those selections, and then some.
Zegras adds an element of offensive firepower to an otherwise dormant team but how he bounces back and plays under a new head coach is going to be looked at under a microscope for most the year. Rick Tocchet will be his third head coach in six years after having dealt with Dallas Eakins and Greg Cronin in Anaheim, but Tocchet has a good history with young players.
Adding a centre right before the draft was crucial and now they can enter the summer festivities with one less thing to have to worry about as they hold a lot of cards and a lot of leverage. The draft is really expected to start after the 2nd pick, so gear up for a fun week as the Flyers will be in the thick of it for the first time in quite awhile.
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