James: Trevor Zegras Needed A Fresh Start, But the Flyers Needed Zegras More

It feels like forever ago that Trevor Zegras broke onto the scene and looked like a future face of the league. The young Anaheim Ducks forward was everywhere from highlight reels to video game covers.

Zegras started his career with back-to-back 60-point seasons in his first two full years in the league. Since then, his Ducks tenure had been plagued by injury. Upon his return, he had been severely limited by the extreme misuse of his skill.

Between contract disagreements with Ducks GM Pat Verbeek and not producing the way he was used to, it was clear Zegras and the Ducks needed to split up. The Ducks eventually parted ways with the promising forward, trading him to the Flyers.

Trevor Zegras was given a fresh start in Philadelphia.

Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet recognized that Zegras had a certain stigma surrounding him, as he was perceived as a social media player, doing things “for clicks.” In his fresh start, Zegras is trying to ditch that stigma. Tocchet sees that helping the 24-year-old in his first season in a new city.

“He doesn’t want to be that perception, and I think that’s helping his game. He should be doing stuff not for clicks; he should be doing stuff for winning hockey. And that’s what he wants,” said Tocchet.

Zegras is, in fact, doing that. He has been a driving factor in the Flyers’ success this season. In 13 games played, the new Flyer has four goals and 11 assists for 15 points. He’s fitting into his new city just fine, looking like his box office form from the early days in Anaheim.

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Zegras Needed a Fresh Start, But the Flyers Needed Him More

It has become clear that Zegras needed a reset.

The season is still young. It’s still very early to say he is back to his former self. However, with the Flyers’ offensive struggles, one thing has become increasingly clear.

Yes, Trevor Zegras needed a fresh start and found one in Philadelphia. However, the Flyers might have needed Zegras more.

Going back to last season, the Flyers severely lacked star-level production. Aside from Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny, the Flyers did not have anyone who was a threat to score. Flash forward to 2025-26, Konecny and Michkov aren’t producing anywhere near as much as the Flyers would have hoped. Through 13 games, Michkov has just one goal and five assists, while Konecny has four goals and six assists.

Again, Zegras has 15 points through 13 games this season. The Flyers have 35 goals this season, meaning he has contributed on 42.8% of the team’s goals this season.

When Zegras records a point, the Flyers are 7-2-1 in those games.

Last season, the Flyers’ power play was abysmal, if not worse. The power play has undoubtedly improved this season, scoring on 20.9% of its attempts, currently 14th in the league. Zegras has played a critical role in that.

The Flyers have scored nine power-play goals this season. Zegras has two of them. He also has a point on eight of the Flyers’ nine power-play goals, and has contributed two primary power-play assists.

Trevor Zegras very clearly needed a fresh start, but where would the Flyers be without him this season?

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