Video games can be used for more than just relaxing after a hard day. They can serve as a training tool, providing athletes with a unique way to scout other players and teams. They can even be used to learn about players on your own team.
That's what Trevor Zegras did as he finds ways to improve his skills in the faceoff dot.
"I was laughing with [Couturier]. I was playing the new video game and his X Factor is faceoffs," Zegras said. "So I went right to him and was like, 'What do you got for me?' And he had some really good little things that I'm gonna try and work on and hopefully can bring that into the season.
In the NHL video games, X Factor players have unique abilities that help them make significant impacts on the game. "Quick Draw" is the X Factor Zegras is speaking about when it comes to Couturier's success on faceoffs. Couturier has the eighth-best faceoff rating, 84, amongst centers with the same ability.
There's a good chance that wasn't the only reason that Zegras approached his new captain. Couturier has been a top faceoff player for the majority of his career. He sits at a career 52.5 percent in the circle. That's top-20 in the league amongst regular centermen. Couturier has been above 50 percent for the last eight straight seasons.
Zegras has never topped close to 50 percent, his best coming at 43.8 percent in his first season. Until last season, he had spent the majority of his career lining up at center. So there is a large sample size to go on. He knows the results need to be better in that area.
"It's gonna be some work for sure with a new coach and a new team. There's definitely some little things that I'm gonna have to work on."
The Flyers will give Zegras a long leash to determine his fit at center. It's where he feels most comfortable. And that's to be expected. But that long leash should give Zegras confidence knowing that he will have time to learn and adapt throughout the year.
"I think starting in the middle is good. I feel more comfortable there, I guess, coming through the ice with speed. I've played center my whole hockey career up until last season. So definitely feel a bit more comfortable through the middle of the ice."
Another area of the ice Zegras will need to improve upon as a center is his play on the defensive end. Statistically, he posted some of the worst defensive metrics of his career last season. It wasn't all bad, and multiple things could factor into that. He was injured, lost trust from the coaching staff, and played a position he wasn't as comfortable with.
No one is expecting him to turn into Couturier, who was a perennial Selke-contender for a large part of his career. Even above-average play in the faceoff circle would be better than what Zegras has put up in the past.