{"id":397329,"date":"2026-01-08T10:30:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T10:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/397329\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T10:30:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T10:30:23","slug":"philadelphia-flyers-trevor-zegras-embracing-team-amid-new-belief-the-hockey-writers-philadelphia-flyers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/397329\/","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia Flyers’ Trevor Zegras Embracing Team Amid New Belief – The Hockey Writers – Philadelphia Flyers"},"content":{"rendered":"

For a little while, Trevor Zegras<\/a> was on top of the world. He was the co-cover athlete of EA SPORTS NHL 23, evidently one of the league\u2019s rising stars after racking up the third-most points among under-22 skaters between 2021\u201322 and 2022\u201323 (stat via QuantHockey<\/a>).<\/p>\n

But things quickly changed for the Anaheim Ducks star. Center Leo Carlsson<\/a> was taken second overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, Greg Cronin became the new head coach, and Zegras\u2019 face-of-the-franchise status vanished. He went from the team\u2019s identity to somewhat of an afterthought on the roster.<\/p>\n

A couple of down seasons later, the Ducks shipped him out to the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> for pennies on the dollar: they couldn\u2019t even get a first-round pick.<\/p>\n

Now on a team that believes in him, he\u2019s sticking it to his former club. Zegras is embracing the Flyers, and the city is paying him the same respect.<\/p>\n

Zegras Has Become a Star in Philadelphia<\/p>\n

The first half of the Flyers\u2019 2025\u201326 campaign has come and gone<\/a>. Impressively, they find themselves with the sixth-best points percentage in the league, boasting a 22\u201312\u20137 record.<\/p>\n

Leading the charge in scoring is, fittingly, No. 46. He leads the Orange and Black with 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 41 games. Zegras is playing the best hockey of his career.<\/p>\n

\"TrevorPhiladelphia Flyers center Trevor Zegras reacts after scoring goal against the Anaheim Ducks (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

Better yet, Zegras is far from an empty-calorie point-getter. According to Hockey Stats<\/a>, he ranks 41st among forwards in Wins Above Replacement (WAR), a metric that measures a player\u2019s impact. The 24-year-old is statistically the most valuable forward on a team with the ninth-most points in the NHL.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s only a 41-game sample, but Zegras is looking like a star<\/a>. While there are other reasons for the Flyers\u2019 transformation\u2014their play in net, for example\u2014he has played an essential role.<\/p>\n

Game vs. the Ducks Was Personal<\/p>\n

For the first time, Zegras played against his former team on Jan. 6, 2026. He didn\u2019t try to hide how much this one meant to him\u2014it was personal.<\/p>\n

Related: Zegras One-Ups Gauthier As Flyers Blitz Ducks, 5-2<\/a><\/p>\n

In the Flyers\u2019 5\u20132 victory, he recorded back-to-back goals to turn a deficit into a lead that the team never gave up. His postgame interview was packed with fireworks. When asked about how good it felt to score two goals against the Ducks, he replied, \u201c(Expletive) amazing. (Expletive) amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

On his first tally, he celebrated with a picking-up-the-phone-and-hanging-it-up gesture. He explained, \u201cThat\u2019s about how quick the phone call was before,\u201d referring to the call he got alerting him that he was traded from Anaheim last summer.<\/p>\n

Officially Philly. pic.twitter.com\/M566sJelHs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 7, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

All season long, Zegras has been sticking it to his former club. This one was the dagger\u2014a complete and righteous humiliation.<\/p>\n

Long-Term Zegras Extension Is a No-Brainer<\/p>\n

This summer, Zegras will be a restricted free agent (RFA). Giving him a long-term extension is a no-brainer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With the league\u2019s rising salary cap, it\u2019s possible that Zegras and his camp demand something around the eight-figure annual range. After all, a long-term deal would mean you\u2019re getting his physical prime and few, if any, post-prime campaigns.<\/p>\n

If that\u2019s the cost, you wouldn\u2019t find too many complaints. Zegras has embraced his new city and is on pace for the first 80-point season for a Flyer since 2018\u201319 (he was drafted in 2019, mind you). The Flyers have landed themselves a gem.<\/p>\n

At least statistically, Zegras has found another gear. Considering his age, this may be just the start of his prime. As opposed to general manager Pat Verbeek and the Ducks, the City of Brotherly Love and its decision-makers believe in No. 46.<\/p>\n

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