Trevor Zegras has been vocal (and is showing it on the ice) about his desire to make the playoffs for the first time in his NHL career.
After being traded from the Anaheim Ducks to the Flyers in June 2025, Zegras has embraced a fresh start in Philly. He’s playing a bigger role—often as the de facto No. 1 center—pushing the pace, contributing offensively, and bringing energy to the locker room.
“Right from the beginning Trevor came to us, he wants to play in meaningful games. I hate using the word playoffs, but he wants to make the playoffs. He hasn’t played a playoff game,” Flyers’ Head Coach Rick Tocchet said last night. “I think he wants to prove a lot of people wrong. He played with a chip on his shoulder… Pushes the pace. And… he’s a real good locker room guy.”
Zegras himself has talked about enjoying the pressure of the late-season playoff push, noting that it has felt like “must-win games” for about a month now. He’s been delivering in big moments, including an overtime winner against the Dallas Stars and multiple-goal games as the Flyers chase a wild-card spot.
2025-26 Season Stats and Context
This season with the Flyers (through 78 games), Zegras has posted strong numbers: 25 goals, 40 assists (65 points), including a new career-high in goals. He’s on point streaks and contributing in all situations, though his faceoff work as a center remains a work in progress.
The Flyers have been on a strong run (one of the hotter teams in the East since late January), sitting in the thick of the Metropolitan Division/wild-card race with just a handful of games left. A win like their recent 5-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils (with two goals from Zegras) helps keep those hopes alive.
Zegras never made the postseason during his tenure in Anaheim (the Ducks have missed for years), so this stretch-run experience is new territory for him—and he’s thriving in it with that chip-on-the-shoulder mentality Tocchet mentioned.
Bottom line:
Zegras isn’t just along for the ride; he’s actively pushing to get the Flyers in and prove doubters wrong. With the race this tight, every point (and every big moment from players like him, Matvei Michkov, Tyson Foerster, etc.) counts. If the Flyers keep grinding, he might finally get that first playoff taste.
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