This time last year, Trevor Zegras stood at a career crossroads.
He was years removed from his days as one of the best-known young stars in all of hockey. The team that drafted him in the top-10 in 2019 had suddenly started treating him the way Andy in Toy Story treated Woody after getting his new Buzz Lightyear toy, and stopped even using him at his preferred position at center. It all culminated in a sell-low trade to the Flyers, in which GM Daniel Briere pried Zegras away from the Ducks for the low cost of a second-round pick and bottom-six center Ryan Poehling. It was an exciting upside play, sure, but how valuable could Zegras really be if his former club was willing to trade him away for that package?
As it turned out, pretty darn valuable.
Now, Zegras is back. In Philadelphia, Zegras proved himself to a more mature, more complete player than he was in Anaheim, while also making a very strong case that the Ducks had misjudged him both as a player and a person. By the end of the season, he not only was back at center, helping lead his new club to an unlikely playoff berth — he was also quietly (or not so quietly, given his huge personality) emerging as a team leader, taking younger players under his wing off the ice and stepping up in big moments on it.
Now, with a massive $36.5 million contract signed over the summer, Zegras’ focus must turn to proving that 2025-26 was no fluke, but the new normal for him as he enters the back half of his 20s. Because as impressive as his turnaround was last season, it won’t get any easier for Zegras moving forward. Now, not only will he be expected to solidify his gains from 2025-26, he’ll likely be tasked with doing so in the most demanding role for an NHL forward: first-line center.
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6 Comments
Chris
Great insight, Charlie.
I love this kid – I like his flash on the ice and his personality on/off of it. He just seems like somebody I want to root for, and I am strangely confident he will continue to improve. He definitely has a skillset needed on this team.
jimmyb
Great article, Charlie. Enjoyed the discussion with Bill yesterday, too.
I’m hoping that by Game 10 the Flyers/Tocc have their line combos fully figured out. Zegras seems to play well with everybody, but especially well with Tippett.
Jonathan Chittenden
Also Zegras is money in the shootouts. While that doesn’t fit the 200 hockey men meat and potatoes view nor is it (rightfully, in my opinion) included in the analytical models, that skill does help bank points. Worth mentioning since the playoff margins are so close nowadays. Anyway, great stuff Charlie! Looking forward to more of these.
David LaVeck
This article and your continued championing of Zegras as a legit play driver has won me over. I have always liked the player and was happy when the Flyers traded for him but I did not expect such a well-rounded player in return. I just hope the Flyers keep him center and if his goal scoring returns while he is at that position, the sky is the limit as is an 80-point season!
ifollowcharlieo
Great article, but where’s the gossip section discussing the news everyone needs the deets on???
Just kidding!
Zegras has a fire in his belly and obviously wants to play on a winner. Briere and Tocchet were a perfect fit for him.
Marco Franchetto
Great article Charlie! I love the energy and vibe Zegras brings to the team and with the team lacking a bonafide #1, I hope Tocchet just leaves him there to grow and take the reps to get better. Especially since the team is very deep on the wings currently.