(Header/feature image courtesy of Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images) The Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] were the center of attention on Monday after news broke that they had officially acquired center Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks—fulfilling trade speculation [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/the-timing-was-right-for-both-teams-danny-briere-discusses-zegras-trade] that had been lingering in the hockey rumor mill for months. On Tuesday, Zegras spoke with Philadelphia media for the first time as a Flyer, and the 24‑year‑old was as genuine, reflective, and optimistic as you’d expect from a player entering a new chapter. The blockbuster trade that brought him from Anaheim to Philadelphia shook the hockey world this week, and for Zegras, it came with a mix of emotions. “My initial reaction was a little bit of both,” he said, when asked about the moment he learned of the trade. “You’re really excited when you hear the team, but then you also think about the time you spent in Anaheim with your teammates and friends there. But when I heard it was Philly, I was excited because I’m best buddies with Jamie [Drysdale] and Cam [York]… It’s exciting when you have a familiar face like that in a new place and new home, so it’s cool.” Zegras spent the first five years of his career with the Ducks, making a name for himself as one of the league’s brightest and flashiest young stars. But now he finds himself in a new city, surrounded by some familiar friends, and poised for a fresh start. For Zegras, one of the biggest questions going into this new chapter is positional. Will he play center or stay on the wing? He was moved to the wing for the past couple of seasons, but feels his true position lies in the middle—a spot where the Flyers are hoping to keep him in. The gifted forward offered a glimpse into his mindset, saying, “I played center my whole career until two seasons ago, and I’ve always felt more comfortable there. There are definitely areas I need to work on—whether it’s the face-off circle or below the goal line or in front of the net in the D‑zone. I think it was good to play the wing and learn that position and the responsibilities. We’ll see where it goes with the new coach and the team, but it would be exciting to be back in the middle, for sure.” That self‑awareness—the understanding that as a young player who's had to navigate some rcoky roads in Anaheim—has been a hallmark of Zegras’ approach. Even with a resume that already includes highlight‑reel moments and a reputation as a player with creativity and energy abound, he’s hungry to evolve. The Flyers are hoping he can be a difference‑maker down the middle for a team that needs more offensive punch from its centers. And then, of course, there were the trade rumors that circulated for months leading up to this deal. Zegras, of course, had heard them, and didn’t shy away from acknowledging their effect. “It would be hard for me to say it didn’t [affect me],” he admitted. “There’s definitely ups and downs with that stuff, and it was the first time in my life and my career that it started coming up. Because it’s never really happened before, you don’t know how to handle it. "There’s highs and lows that come with it. It definitely gets your head spinning a little bit, but definitely not an excuse or anything like that. Now that’s all behind me and I’m excited as heck for a new start in Philadelphia with some awesome people and a new organization. I’m definitely pumped.” Zegras knows what it means to carry expectations — and he knows how to channel them into motivation. After years of being a cornerstone in Anaheim, he arrives in Philadelphia with the chance to redefine himself, to evolve into a more complete, dynamic center, and to build something special with a team looking for a spark. More than anything, he arrives with an attitude and outlook that every team hopes for when making a bold move. The Flyers aren’t just getting another top-six forward. They’re gaining a player who understands the demands of the league, embraces its challenges, and knows that every new chapter is an opportunity to write a better story. With friends like Drysdale and York in the room, a passionate fanbase ready to rally behind him, and a team looking to rise, Zegras finds himself right where he needs to be. The fresh start he spoke of is more than just a change of scenery — it’s a chance to carve out a new chapter in a career that has always felt destined for something special. The Flyers and their fans are certainly hoping that “excited as heck” is just the beginning.
