The Philadelphia Flyers made a significant move by acquiring center Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks in a recent trade. Flyers general manager Danny Briere highlighted the difficulty of finding quality centers on the trade market, noting that first- or second-line centers are nearly impossible to come by. The trade involved sending Ryan Poehling along with second- and fourth-round draft picks to the Ducks.
Zegras, who finished as the Calder Trophy runner-up in 2021-22, has already posted two seasons with 60 or more points before turning 25. However, he has struggled through the last two injury-plagued seasons, which contributed to his availability in the trade. Briere acknowledged the risks but felt that Zegras’ talent made the gamble worthwhile.
At 24 years old, Zegras now has the opportunity to prove he can stay healthy and provide consistent top-six production at center for the Flyers. The team hopes he can recapture the form that made him a standout early in his career, despite uncertainties about his fit and chemistry in Anaheim. Briere noted that factors such as injuries and team dynamics might have played a role in his recent struggles.
Center remains a priority for the Flyers as they continue their rebuild, and the team plans to address this need further in the upcoming NHL draft. Briere emphasized that the Flyers were not willing to part with any of their three first-round picks in the Zegras deal, demonstrating how much value they place on those selections.
Zegras is entering the final year of his three-year contract, making him a restricted free agent next offseason. The Flyers will have time to evaluate his performance and decide on their future commitment. Meanwhile, Ryan Poehling, who had career-best numbers last season, was recognized as a valuable player, but the Flyers felt acquiring a top-six center was worth the cost.
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