(Photo: Gary A. Vazquez, Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/0b3b0d7d-b0f3-4af3-a84c-ca7876f61372.jpeg] (Photo: Gary A. Vazquez, Imagn Images) With the relative lack of other big additions, Trevor Zegras will be the main driver of excitement and new hopes for the Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] next season. But, with that can come unfair and unreasonable expectations. Zegras, 24, did most of his damage in the NHL as a center, a position which he has not played regularly since before the arrival of now-departed head coach Greg Cronin in 2023. In two seasons under Cronin, Zegras played just 88 regular season games for the Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/flyers-can-t-meet-reported-ducks-trade-price-for-mason-mctavish], managing just 47 points and 18 goals. On the whole, this offensive production isn't bad, but a player of Zegras's caliber is capable of so much more - on both precedent and talent. In his first two NHL seasons, Zegras posted 61 and 65 points, respectively, before bottoming out under Cronin. As noted on X by CcCMiddleton, who compiles and stores lines across the NHL and other leagues, Zegras played two-thirds (66%) of his games with the Ducks at center. However, 84% of those games came before Cronin took over. Under Cronin, Zegras played center just 28% of the time. Zegras lineup data from CcCMiddleton. [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5c8073cb-f4b8-497f-99a5-7fad91e799de.png] Zegras lineup data from CcCMiddleton. It's natural to assume the former No. 9 pick, now a more experienced and mature player, can simply return to form and go back to his 60-point floor under normal circumstances, but this cannot be guaranteed. Zegras has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, as have the Flyers. Plus, the Flyers, like Zegras, will be adapting to a new coach in Rick Tocchet [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/rick-tocchet-s-reaction-to-matvei-michkov-only-means-good-things-for-flyers-future], and there's going to be an incubation period with new systems, responsibilities, and expectations. John Tortorella was the head coach in Philadelphia for three seasons, so it could take some time for the older Flyers to adjust and get comfortable, which could adversely affect Zegras for the first month of the season, give or take. A potential partnership with players like Matvei Michkov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/LDoaiwb1PP9gtRkHcKJb] and Travis Konecny [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/flyers-travis-konecny-excluded-from-ranking-of-top-nhl-wingers] makes for exciting offensive opportunities, but all three of them have their warts defensively. That can increase pressure to produce offensively if goals are filling the net at the other end, even if I personally believe that Zegras's defensive weaknesses are and have been greatly overstated. How Tyson Foerster Injury Update Affects Flyers Roster Outlook Next Season [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/eee5a027-55c8-490f-b813-7a624fcd69b7.webp] How Tyson Foerster Injury Update Affects Flyers Roster Outlook Next Season The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> have received a number of small boosts in the last few days and weeks, but none bigger than the latest Tyson Foerster injury update. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/how-tyson-foerster-injury-update-affects-flyers-roster-outlook-next-season] Like Michkov before him, it would be unfair to expect the 6-foot center to become the savior of the Flyers and magically turn into an offensive savant. The potential is there, yes, but he's still just 24. That could happen, yes, but it's equally likely that it takes some time. We can only wait and see. With only one year remaining on his contract at a $5.75 million cap hit, the Flyers have no obligation to keep [https://puckpedia.com/team/philadelphia-flyers] Zegras beyond Year 1 of the experiment if they don't see the development and the performance they are hoping and expecting to see from the uber-talented forward. It's up to Zegras to deliver the goods now that he's got a change of scenery, joining forces with pals like Jamie Drysdale [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/flyers-next-rebuild-step-hinges-on-jamie-drysdale-s-development] and Cam York, but ratcheting up external pressure won't aid that process. Conservatively, we can expect Trevor Zegras to deliver between 50 and 60 points for the Flyers in the 2025-26 season.
