Long-standing rumors finally became reality on Monday when the Anaheim Ducks traded forward Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Ducks sent Zegras, who had frequently been mentioned as a potential trade candidate, to the Flyers in exchange for forward Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second-round draft pick (originally belonging to the Columbus Blue Jackets), and a 2026 fourth-round pick.
What are the implications of this deal, and how did each team`s front office perform?
Philadelphia Flyers
Grade: B+
The term “potential” will likely be the most used word when describing this trade.
The primary reason is that Zegras provides the Flyers with another top-nine center, complementing their existing players like Sean Couturier and Noah Cates, with the hope that Zegras could potentially develop into their top-line center.
Zegras is a player who has twice scored 20 goals and achieved back-to-back 60-point seasons. This acquisition could provide the Flyers, who ranked 24th in goals per game, with another scoring threat capable of creating opportunities for his linemates.
At 24 years old, he also potentially aligns with the Flyers` long-term strategic plans. The Flyers were the youngest team in the NHL during the 2024-25 season, with an average age of 26.09 years, according to Elite Prospects.
Once more, the crucial word here is “potentially.”
Injuries and performance fluctuations over the past two seasons raised questions about whether Zegras could regain the form he showed during his consecutive 60-point seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Furthermore, these issues led to doubts about whether he would match or exceed those totals if he remained with the Ducks.
Pairing Zegras with wingers such as Tyson Foerster, Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov, and/or Owen Tippett could help him get back on track. After all, at one point, Zegras was considered one of the league`s rising stars and appeared poised to become a future face of the NHL. He was featured on the cover of NHL 23.
An additional benefit is that Zegras is entering the final year of a three-year contract valued at $5.75 million annually. He will remain under team control as a restricted free agent for the next two seasons before becoming an unrestricted free agent after the 2027-28 campaign.
Even after incorporating Zegras`s salary, the Flyers will still have $15.141 million in salary cap space, as reported by PuckPedia.
Anaheim Ducks
Grade: A-
Despite all the questions the Ducks faced regarding keeping Zegras, a significant concern seemed to linger:
Is it a wise financial decision to pay a player performing as a third-line center over $5 million per year when more affordable options are available, and other roster needs must be addressed?
Leo Carlsson, the second overall pick from the 2023 draft, demonstrated his capability to handle the responsibilities of a full-time top-line center. He scored 20 goals and 45 points last season, providing the Ducks with a two-way center possessing a significant 6-3, 205-pound build.
Following that, Mason McTavish, the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, scored 22 goals and a career-high 52 points while playing in a second-line center role.
McTavish was the Ducks` leading goal scorer last season and finished second in total points. Carlsson ranked third on the team in points. Achieving this level of production from their top two centers made Zegras expendable for Anaheim.
Furthermore, consider the financial implications. Anaheim is projected to have slightly over $36 million in cap space this season. While this amount seems substantial, its management requires careful consideration by GM Pat Verbeek, particularly concerning future commitments. Lukas Dostal, Drew Helleson, and McTavish are restricted free agents requiring new contracts this offseason. These deals will likely influence the available funds for the Ducks to participate actively in unrestricted free agency starting July 1.
However, looking ahead to what they could potentially do next offseason is what made this trade more appealing. Zegras was part of a group of six players set to become Restricted Free Agents, including Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Pavel Mintyukov, Jackson LaCombe, and Olen Zellweger, while Jacob Trouba would become an Unrestricted Free Agent at the same time.
That core group of five restricted free agents and Trouba are still in place, so decisions regarding their contracts will still need to be made. But instead of also needing to address Zegras`s salary demands, the Ducks may have a much lower cost point to manage with Poehling. Poehling is a 26-year-old who scored 12 goals and 31 points in the 2024-25 season. He has one year remaining on his contract, worth $1.9 million, before becoming a UFA next summer.
