Trevor Zegras signed a four-year, $36.5 million extension with the Flyers last week. The money is nice. The pressure is real. And he knows exactly where he needs to be better.
It’s the faceoff dot. Specifically, being terrible at faceoffs.
Zegras ranked dead last among 154 NHL players who took at least 300 draws last season. In the playoffs, he was fourth on his own team. That’s not ideal for a guy who wants to play center long-term.
“I think some of it starts in the gym and just getting bigger and stronger,” Zegras told NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman. “But I think a lot of it was reps and repetition and taking a ton of faceoffs, even against your own guys in practice or after practice, and just picking up on little things that maybe guys against you do. All things that I’m always thinking about. So I’ll try and definitely be better than I was last year.”
Center or wing? Doesn’t matter to him.
Zegras played mostly wing in the regular season but shifted to center during the Flyers’ playoff run — which included Philly’s first series win since 2020, a Battle of Pennsylvania victory over the Penguins. He said the experience gave him confidence.
“I feel pretty comfortable in both spots, whether it’s in the middle or on the wing, so wherever they need me to play, I’m more than comfortable in both spots,” Zegras said. “I thought playing center in the playoffs was definitely something that gave me a lot of confidence. So I think wherever they need me, I’m good to go.”
Depth down the middle
The Flyers have options. Noah Cates, Christian Dvorak and Sean Couturier all play center. That depth let them get creative in the postseason. But if Zegras wants to lock down that spot long-term, he has to win draws. It’s that simple.
He’s 25. He’s talented. He’s signed. And he’s about to spend a lot of extra time in the gym and on the practice rink, trying to turn his biggest weakness into a strength. The Flyers are betting $36.5 million he can do it.
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