All Trevor Zegras needed was fresh scenery.
After being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers during the offseason, the former 9th overall pick has been reconnecting with his foundational style of play. With five assists in six games for his new team, Zegras is steadily establishing himself as a pivotal contributor.
Zegras Wants It All
Although the power-play unit currently ranks near the bottom of the league, former Ducks Zegras and Jamie Drysdale have remained at the forefront, orchestrating plays and generating high-danger scoring opportunities. Their concerted efforts culminated in a standout performance on Monday night against the Seattle Kraken.
After entering the contest 1 for 15, the power play delivered two strikes en route to a 5-2 victory over Seattle, including a beautiful pass from Zegras to feed Noah Cates for his third goal of the season.
But after the game, Zegras wasn’t necessarily in a celebratory mood, he was already thinking about the next game.
"He texted me last night, 'I want to watch some video with you,'" Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet told reporters Tuesday. "He wants it, you can tell, because he feels there are plays out there that he can make even more. And I agree with him. You just chip away."
In recent years, Zegras faced considerable criticism in Anaheim for inconsistent production, a challenge compounded by a string of injuries. Beyond that, the Ducks as a team—and as an organization—were struggling, and it was evident in Zegras’ demeanor that he was eager for a fresh start. His frustration was palpable; at times, he displayed minimal emotion even after scoring some of his most spectacular goals, a reality that left many observers concerned.
What Tocchet’s observations about Zegras make clear is that he is far from the prima donna many critics have painted him to be. He is an extraordinarily skilled and supremely talented hockey player who, until recently, had been restricted from employing the style that has defined his success. As previously noted, having a head coach with a distinguished NHL career—one who has competed alongside and against some of the sport’s greatest—offers an invaluable perspective.
And let’s not forget that he’s a Flyers Hall of Famer and a three-time Stanley Cup champion. Tocchet understood that the optimal path to restoring Zegras’ game was to afford him the autonomy to play authentically, harnessing the instincts and creativity that make him singular. This dynamic is mirrored across other sports, where coaches or offensive coordinators may attempt to mold a quarterback past their prime into an unfamiliar style of play—an approach that is almost invariably doomed to fail from the outset.
Flyers Are Improving
No question, a contented star in Zegras, alongside his close friend and defensive anchor Drysdale, represents a significant boon for the Flyers. Turning to the broader team context, a year ago, the Flyers were floundering with a 2-3-1 record, mired in dysfunction. That season culminated in the dismissal of head coach John Tortorella on March 27, with assistant coach Brad Shaw stepping in on an interim basis—a position he has since vacated to assume the same role with the New Jersey Devils.
Now, the Flyers have cause for optimism. With a 3-2-1 record through six games and a two-game winning streak underway, the team is showing marked improvement, with players across the roster elevating their play—none more notably than Zegras.
The Flyers aim to win their third straight when they take on the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. local time.