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Why it's up to Trevor Zegras to pull the Flyers out of this mess

The Flyers need Trevor Zegras to be the player to help them turn things around from their nightmare start.
ByMichael DeRosa
Oct 15, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  Philadelphia Flyers center Trevor Zegras (46) gets set during a face off in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena.
Oct 15, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Trevor Zegras (46) gets set during a face off in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Philadelphia Flyers entered this season with plenty of optimism. It is easy to understand why, as they not only made the playoffs last season but also made it to the second round. With this, the Flyers took a major step in the right direction with their rebuild in 2025-26.

However, the positive vibes around the Flyers have certainly disappeared since the season started. The Flyers are having a nightmare start to the 2026-27 season and are still showing no real signs of breaking out of it anytime soon.

With their 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night, the Flyers extended their season-opening losing streak to nine games. They did break the losing streak against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night in a 3-1 victory.

Still, with how horribly the Flyers have started the season, they already have a major uphill battle ahead of them to make the playoffs next spring. Due to this, they need all of their top players to be on their A-game from here to have any chance of turning things around. This includes Trevor Zegras, as he is Philadelphia's biggest X-factor to watch.

Like many Flyers, Zegras has had a tough start to the season. In 10 games so far this campaign, the 25-year-old forward has posted two goals, two assists, and a minus-5 rating. With Zegras being one of Philadelphia's best forwards, seeing this kind of start from him is concerning. This is especially so when noting that the Flyers just re-signed him to a four-year, $36.5 million contract in the summer.

If the Flyers hope to get out of this awful stretch, they are going to need Zegras to heat back up immediately. His excellent play last season was a significant reason why they made the playoffs last year. He was fantastic during his first year in Philadelphia, posting 26 goals and 67 points in 81 games. If Zegras can regain this form, it would be huge for the Flyers.

When looking at Zegras last season, it is hard to bet against him turning things around this campaign. The Flyers have struggled as a whole, and that has undoubtedly played a role in his offensive numbers being low at the start of the season. Yet, with Zegras being such a skilled offensive player, he should be the player who ultimately gets the Flyers out of this atrocious stretch.

Zegras has recorded over 60 points three times in his NHL career, so he has shown he can be a real difference-maker when playing at his best. Due to this, it will be interesting to see if he can help Philadelphia turn things around. However, if the losses keep piling up for the Flyers, it will be a long year in Philadelphia.

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