New Flyer Zegras believes he still has something to prove

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Even though new Flyer center Trevor Zegras has two 23-goal seasons under his belt, he still believes he has something to prove.
Zegras, acquired in a trade from Anaheim on Monday in exchange for center Ryan Poehling and two draft picks, was hindered by injuries for much of the past two seasons. Those best two years took place between 2021 and 2023.
Now entering the final year of a three-year, $17.5-million contract he signed with the Ducks, the Bedford, N.Y. native wants to make a strong first impression in Philadelphia.
Does he feel he has to show he deserves to be a top-six forward and get paid like one?
“Absolutely,” he said in a pre-NHL Draft interview at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino where the Flyers have set up their headquarters for the draft. “I think coming to a new team, I’ll do whatever I can to help the guys win.
“Try to win over some respect in the locker room and the fans. It’s always good to put a good foot forward.”
Although there had been trade rumors flying around for the better part of a year, the move back east caught the 24-year-old a bit off-guard.
When the trade was made official, Zegras wanted to first contact a couple old friends/teammates from Anaheim now with the Flyers – namely defensemen Jamie Drysdale and Cam York.
“I waited a little bit to reach out to those guys,” Zegras said. “Because it was a bit of a whirlwind. I definitely texted Cam and Jamie, then called those (other) guys. Jamie didn’t show a ton of emotion but he was pretty happy after I called him. So it was pretty funny.”
It’s no secret Zegras was hoping to play somewhat closer to home someday. Now family members and friends can make the drive to Philadelphia in a little more than two hours.
“It’s amazing,” Zegras said. “I was actually at home before this (earlier on Friday). My mom and I drove here today to meet everybody. We’re going to go to Philadelphia tomorrow and check out the city and see some of the spots.”
The whole family is excited about having Trevor living closer to home.
“My dad was more excited than I was,” Zegras said. “I guess my mom, too. It’s pretty cool.”
In addition to Drysdale and York, Zegras has made contact with a number of other Flyers.
“A bunch of the guys have reached out, which mean a lot,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll connect with those guys in September (at training camp) and get things rolling.”
Zegras had a chance to try on some Flyer gear on Friday and that’s when it started to sink in that the trade really happened. A first trade is almost always the most emotional.
“I think today was the first day like, ‘wow,’ when I put some of the clothes on,” Zegras said. “It will definitely be exciting but I don’t know if it’s completely sunk in yet.”
Playing in front of family members and friends should provide some extra incentive.
“I’m very excited to play in the Metro (Metropolitan Division),” he said. “Just because how close it is to home. My family didn’t get to come out to California a ton while I was there so they are definitely excited.”
These past two years have not been a whole bunch of fun. Perhaps a new team and new surroundings can give him a fresh start.
“The Flyers are such an amazing organization,” he said.
He says he’s going to keep wearing No. 46, his number with the Ducks. There’s a story behind that. Flyers senior advisor Bob Murray was general manager of the Ducks when Zegras was drafted.
“Murray drafted me in Anaheim,” Zegras said. “And slapped that (46) on my back. So obviously coming back here and having him with the organization, I thought that was pretty cool.”