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Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov could be the offensive spark the Flyers desperately need right now, especially with their Power Play sputtering (just 1-for-19 over the last eight games) and Michkov looking a bit isolated on that top line with Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny. Rick Tocchet himself has been open to the idea since acquiring Zegras from Anaheim in the offseason, saying the Flyers would be “idiots not to explore it.”
He’s even toyed with versions of it in practice and games, like centering Zegras between Couturier and Michkov back in mid-November, or a brief desperation shift with Zegras, Michkov, and Konecny against Winnipeg in October.
Why It Could Work
Both guys are elite playmakers with that East-West flair—Zegras thrives on improvisation and saucer passes, while Michkov’s all about calculated vision and finishing (he had 26 goals as a rookie last year). Together, they’d give Philly a true skill line that could dominate transition and special teams, especially if Zegras sticks at center where he posted back-to-back 60-point seasons early in his career. Fans are already buzzing about it on X, with calls to slot them on PP1 alongside Konecny, Tyson Foerster, and Emil Andrae for some real firepower.
Tocchet’s system emphasizes defensive structure, but he’s admitted these two need a “framework” to channel their creativity without leaving the back end exposed—think video work on entries and a steady winger like Foerster or Owen Tippett to balance the puck-hogging.
The Flip Side (And Why Now’s the Time)The hesitation?
They’re stylistically similar, both puck-dominant with some defensive warts, so it risks turnovers if they don’t add north-south drive. Tocchet’s been shuffling lines to protect Michkov from top matchups (he’s often stuck facing shutdown units like Tampa’s Kucherov line), and Zegras has been clicking with Christian Dvorak and Tippett on the second line (59% expected goals share in limited minutes). But with the Flyers sitting around .500 and Michkov’s scoring dipping lately, it’s low-risk to test a Zegras-Michkov duo—even if it’s just for a few shifts against a softer opponent.
Tocchet’s no stranger to bold moves (he won Coach of the Year with Vancouver in 2024), so if he’s reading the room, expect to see this combo soon. What do you think—Foerster or Tippett as the third wheel? Or straight-up Zegras centering Michkov and Konecny?
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