The Anaheim Ducks dealt former first-round draft pick Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.
Zegras will join the rebuilding Flyers team after recording 32 points (12g, 20a) in 57 games for the Ducks this past season. In return, Philadelphia sent forward Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick back to Anaheim.
Zegras, in the final year of a three-year, $17.25 million extension ($5.75 million AAV) he signed with the Ducks in October of 2023, will become a restricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
The former ninth overall pick has dealt with several injuries over the past two seasons, including a torn meniscus that required surgery last December. Zegras has not been able to match his previous best form with the Ducks, tallying 65 points (23g, 42a) in 81 games during the 2022-23 season, which has led to near-constant trade rumors in recent years.
Zegras, a noted successful user of lacrosse-style moves in the offensive zone, will join a Flyers team with young star Matvei Michkov, who, despite constant attempts, has yet to pull off a Michigan goal. They’ll be coached by new bench boss Rick Tocchet after John Tortorella led the team to a last-place finish in the Metropolitan Division during the 2024-25 season.
Poehling is a 2017 first-round pick by the Montreal Canadiens, joining his fourth NHL franchise since making his debut during the 2018-19 season. The 26-year-old forward posted a career-best 31 points (12g, 19a) in 68 games for the Flyers this past year.
The Ducks have failed to qualify for the playoffs for seven consecutive years. They will also have a new head coach, Joel Quenneville, next year, following the firing of Greg Cronin last April.
