The Anaheim Ducks officially traded former first-round pick Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers in a move that raises more questions than answers about the franchise’s long-term vision.
The Return: A Modest Haul for a High-End Talent
In exchange for Zegras, Anaheim received center Ryan Poehling, a second-round pick from Columbus (No. 45 overall in 2025), and Philadelphia’s 2026 fourth-round pick. While Zegras hasn’t hit his ceiling due to injuries and inconsistent usage, the return still feels alarmingly light for a 23-year-old with two 60-point seasons and Calder Trophy runner-up honors on his résumé.
Poehling, a solid but unspectacular bottom-six forward, will fill a depth role in Anaheim. The draft picks give the Ducks more flexibility, but neither is likely to yield a talent with Zegras’ ceiling. In essence, Anaheim offloaded a former franchise cornerstone for mid-tier value.
Falling Short of Expectations
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Zegras’ injury-riddled 2023-24 season (just 15 points in 31 games) undoubtedly lowered his trade value, but Anaheim’s inability to extract more reflects poorly on their asset management. This is a player once seen as the face of the franchise — an electric playmaker who helped revitalize Ducks hockey during a rebuild.
His drop-off was real, but not irreversible. Zegras showed improved defensive metrics in tougher minutes this season and still averaged over 17 minutes per game. With a manageable $3.85 million cap hit and another year of team control after this contract ends, his upside should have commanded more.
Philly Wins Big
Flyers GM Daniel Brière capitalized on Anaheim’s willingness to sell low. Zegras instantly upgrades Philadelphia’s center depth and gives them a dynamic top-six piece to pair with Matvei Michkov or Travis Konecny. His cap hit is affordable, and the upside is significant.
A New Direction For Anaheim Ducks
With cap space and roster flexibility now in hand, the Ducks appear poised to pursue free-agent upgrades. But trading Zegras at a low point in his value curve — without a premium asset coming back — is a move that may haunt Anaheim for years to come.