Trevor Zegras appears to have found the environment he’s been searching for in Philadelphia.
In their preseason opener, the Flyers edged Patrick Roy’s New York Islanders 3-2 in a shootout—a game that was far from flawless but telling nonetheless. Zegras, long viewed as a player capable of stardom but needing the right voice behind the bench, skated with a renewed confidence and purpose. Under Rick Tocchet, who seems to understand him, he truly looked much closer to the dynamic playmaker of a few years ago, the one many believed was on the cusp of becoming a franchise centerpiece.
Dynamic Zegras
The 24-year-old Zegras didn’t register a point on the scoresheet, yet he was arguably the most dynamic skater on the ice. For months, he had lobbied to return to his natural position at center, a move some doubted he could handle given questions about his two-way game and the inconsistency of his Anaheim years. But in just one preseason contest with Philadelphia, Zegras offered a resounding rebuttal—dictating pace, showcasing his vision, and reminding everyone why his skill set once had him tabbed as one of the NHL’s next great stars.
Zegras’ impact extended well beyond the offensive zone. He skated with urgency on the backcheck, turning defensive shifts into statement moments—none more dramatic than in overtime, when Mat Barzal broke free on a breakaway. What looked like a certain game-winner dissolved in an instant as Zegras closed the gap, stripped the puck clean, and swung momentum back to Philadelphia. It was the kind of play that spoke volumes: this is what a happy Trevor Zegras looks like—engaged, energized, and revitalized by a change of scenery.
This, more than anything, underscored why Zegras stood out as the most impressive player on the ice. While fans often measure impact in goals and assists, had Zegras not closed on Barzal, the Flyers might have walked away with a very different result. If he sustains this level of play, he won’t just threaten career-highs in scoring; he’ll redefine himself as a bona fide two-way presence, the kind of player Philadelphia has long lacked down the middle.
Zegras’s linemates, Nikita Grebenkin and Matvei Michkov, showed flashes but also moments of sloppiness—hardly surprising in the opening days of preseason. Still, Michkov delivered when it mattered most. With just over a minute left in regulation, the 20-year-old pounced on a Jamie Drysdale rebound to tie the game at 2–2, later adding a decisive strike in the shootout.
Another name worth noting was Jack Nesbitt, who demonstrated poise and versatility in both special-teams situations, flashing elements of a dependable two-way game. For the Flyers, it was less about perfection than promise, and on that front, the night offered plenty to build upon.