After extensive speculation, the trade involving forward Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks to the Philadelphia Flyers was officially confirmed on Monday.
The Ducks sent Zegras, a player frequently mentioned in trade rumors, to the Flyers. In return, Anaheim received forward Ryan Poehling, a second-round pick in the 2025 draft (originally held by the Columbus Blue Jackets), and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft.
Let`s examine the implications of this trade and evaluate how both teams fared in the transaction.
Philadelphia Flyers
The defining characteristic of this trade for the Flyers is “potential.” Zegras joins the team to provide another option for their top nine forwards, with the long-term vision that he could develop into their primary center.
Zegras has a history of scoring, with two seasons of 20 or more goals and two consecutive seasons reaching the 60-point mark. For a Flyers team that ranked 24th in goals per game, he offers a player capable of contributing offensively and creating scoring chances for linemates.
At 24 years old, his age profile potentially fits well within Philadelphia`s future plans. The Flyers had the youngest roster in the NHL during the 2024-25 season, with an average age just over 26.
However, the realization of this potential remains the key question. Injuries and inconsistent performance over the past two years have cast doubt on whether Zegras can consistently perform at or exceed his previous scoring levels. Integrating him with skilled wingers such as Tyson Foerster, Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov, and/or Owen Tippett could be crucial to helping him regain his form. There was a time when Zegras was considered a rising star in the league, even appearing on the cover of NHL 23.
Financially, Zegras is entering the final year of his current contract, which carries an annual value of $5.75 million. He will be a restricted free agent for the subsequent two seasons, keeping him under team control through the 2027-28 campaign. Even after taking on Zegras`s salary, the Flyers are projected to maintain substantial salary cap space, estimated to be over $15 million.
Anaheim Ducks
Despite the questions surrounding the Ducks potentially moving Zegras, they faced a significant internal consideration: Was it practical to allocate over $5 million annually to a player functioning as a third-line center, especially with more cost-effective alternatives available and other roster needs to address?
The progression of Leo Carlsson, the second overall pick in 2023, into a capable top-line center (scoring 20 goals and 45 points last season) and Mason McTavish, the third pick in 2021, excelling in a second-line center role (achieving career highs with 22 goals and 52 points) made Zegras less essential. McTavish led the team in goals, and Carlsson was third in points, highlighting the strength at the top of their center depth.
Financial factors were also a key driver. Anaheim currently possesses considerable salary cap flexibility, projected to exceed $36 million this season. However, managing future contracts is paramount. Restricted free agents like Lukas Dostal, Drew Helleson, and McTavish are due for new deals soon, which will influence the funds available for unrestricted free agency beginning July 1.
The potential financial landscape for the *next* offseason was perhaps even more compelling. Zegras was part of a substantial group of upcoming restricted free agents, including Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Pavel Mintyukov, Jackson LaCombe, and Olen Zellweger. While decisions on most of these players are still ahead, moving Zegras simplifies the financial puzzle significantly. Ryan Poehling, acquired in the trade, represents a much lower financial commitment ($1.9 million for one more year) before he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer. Poehling contributed 12 goals and 31 points during the 2024-25 season.
