NHL B/R Roundtable: Staff Topics for the 2024-25 Season | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

It’s not a good idea to proclaim that Trevor Zegras won’t spend his entire career in Anaheim. The center has been the subject of business rumors for the past year, but so far there has been a lot of smoke and no fires.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek gave the All-Star a three-year bridge deal instead of a long-term contract last summer and questions remain about whether Anaheim truly views Zegras as a long-term option.

The 23-year-old is highly skilled but has a purely offensive presence and relies heavily on delicate play. The Ducks may prefer to be more complete at the center position and have invested lottery picks in both Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson. Those two look poised to be Anaheim’s foundation long-term.

If it’s a question of when they’ll stop being viral, then the safe bet would be that it will happen when he becomes a restricted free agent in 2026. Or, at least, over the summer. But I’m going to predict it will happen before the March 8, 2025 trade deadline.

It can be awkward when a player hangs out with an organization that doesn’t necessarily want him. Especially when that team is rebuilding.

In addition, it is expected that the center market this spring will be disastrous; Mikael Granlund, Alex Kerfoot and perhaps Yanni Gourde are the best names that could be available among potential sellers. When there is a gap in the market, teams get creative. Anaheim can try to take advantage of the situation by throwing Zegras on the table.

Isn’t that shot bold enough? Good. Let’s go one step further and predict that the Philadelphia Flyers will be the team to acquire him.

They’re looking to take the next step, but they’re still in sort of rebuilding mode. Zegras, who will turn 24 in March, fits a long-term vision.

The Flyers are very weak at center (Sean Couturier took a big step back last season and Morgan Frost scored 40 points) and, in particular, lack a true offensive creator at the position.

General manager Daniel Briere has three first-round picks in 2025 plus a solid group of prospects. The Flyers can afford to make this type of deal and Zegras may be happy to move closer to his home in the New York suburbs.