The Philadelphia Flyers made waves on Monday, June 23, by pulling off one of the offseason’s biggest trades: bringing in talented forward Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks. In return, Philadelphia sent Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second-round pick (45th overall), and a 2026 fourth-rounder to Anaheim.
It’s a bold move, one that signals the Flyers aren’t waiting around to rebuild slowly. They’re going after young talent with star potential, and Zegras fits that mold.
Flyers Fans React to Trevor Zegras Trade
Zegras, 24, has been one of the most talked-about young players in the league since being drafted ninth overall in 2019. He grabbed attention with his flashy style and highlight-reel goals, and backed it up with back-to-back 60-point seasons early in his career.
But injuries have slowed him down. Over the last two years, he’s played just 88 games, and his production dipped. Still, he closed out last season strong, putting up 32 points in 57 games. With this trade, the Flyers are clearly betting on his upside and the chance that a change of scenery could help him take off again.
Not surprisingly, the reactions were all over the place. The response online was swift and polarizing.
One fan hailed the deal as a fleecing, saying: “Flyers flecced [sic].” Still, others took a middle ground: “Wow I think they gave too much for him but wow.”
Yet another fan thought the move was a big win for the Flyers: “Great move for the flyers.”
Great move for the flyers
— Tommy (@tm1515152005) June 23, 2025
Others were more skeptical, though — “As a Ducks fan, this trade sucks,” said one fan.
Another commented, “Overrated since being on the NHL cover.”
Overrated since being on nhl cover
— Alex Jones (@jonesalex91) June 23, 2025
One fan left it up for others to interpret: “Somebody got a deal and somebody got robbed. I think you know which is which.”
What the Anaheim Ducks Get in Return
Ducks walk away with a solid return. Poehling, 26, is coming off a career-best 31-point season and gives the team a versatile two-way center. The picks also add flexibility for a team focused on the long game. Moving Zegras’ $5.75 million contract frees up valuable cap space.
General manager Pat Verbeek acknowledged that trading a player like Zegras isn’t easy, but he said it’s part of the team’s bigger plan to retool the roster for the future.
“I want to thank Trevor for his contributions and efforts over the last six years,” he said. “While this was a difficult trade to make, we have and will continue to look at retooling our roster over the next couple of months, and this transaction is part of that process. We wish Trevor the best of luck with the Flyers.”
For the Flyers, this is another sign they’re done sitting back. After missing the playoffs last season, general manager Danny Brière appears determined to get aggressive. Zegras joins a growing young core that includes Matvei Michkov, Tyson Foerster, and defenseman Jamie Drysdale, who, interestingly, was acquired from the Ducks just last year in the Cutter Gauthier trade.
Now Drysdale and Zegras are teammates again, this time in orange and black.
Zegras is a restricted free agent next summer, so this upcoming season will be big. It could be a turning point in his career and a defining chapter in the Flyers’ rebuild.
