The Philadelphia Flyers Trade For Trevor Zegras, Are Going To Drive Opposing Goalies Into Complete Madness Next Year
Thearon W. Henderson. Getty Images.We watched the Flyers attempt and struggle to find anybody in their system who would end up being a perfect fit to play on a line with Matvei Michkov. Guys like Morgan Frost showed a few flashes, but nothing ever clicked on a long term basis. The thing about Michkov is that he just sees and feels the game in an entirely different ways that most players. His creativity is his best asset, and he's not always looking for a straight line to get from point A to B. The Flyers desperately need to find someone who sees and plays the game with that same level of creativity, so they can be on the same page and see those plays develop at the same speed that Michkov does.
Trevor Zegras is one of those guys.
Zegras gets a ton of shit for playing an "Instagram" brand of hockey. He's incredibly talented, and insanely fun to watch on the offensive side of the puck. But there's a reason why the return Anaheim just got for him was next to nothing.
Ryan Poehling, who was a really solid piece but a dime a dozen in this league. A 2nd round pick that the Flyers picked up from Columbus, and a 4th round pick in next year's draft. Trevor Zegras is one of the most highly marketed players in the league. He was on the cover of the NHL video game for crying out loud. You'd think a guy who gets that much hype would return at least a 1st round pick. But his value is low because not enough GMs think he can be a meaningful contributor to a Cup contending team.
So that's where Danny Briere comes in to buy low. He gets a chance to find a perfect pair to play with the face of the franchise in Matvei Michkov. He gets a chance to reunite Trevor Zegras with his best buddy Jamie Drysdale.
And hopefully that's the perfect change of scenery Trevor Zegras needs to play his best hockey again. Let's not forget what a killer Trevor Zegras was for Team USA when leading them to a gold medal at the World Juniors. Let's not forget he put up 60+ points in back-to-back seasons. He had some injury issues, got stuck with a hardass coach who hated his guts, and lost his game. Now he gets a fresh start in a spot where he should be super comfortable in.
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At the very least, the Flyers have a legitimate chance at running out the most diabolical forward group ever next season with Michkov, Zegras, and potentially signing Maxim Shabanov out of Russia as a free agent this summer. It'll be Looney Tunes hockey, but it'll be glorious.
It's been a while since the Flyers have been active in this way. It's been all about breaking the team down over the last few years. Now it's time to start building them back up. They have a chance for James Hagens to drop in the draft. They're taking a chance on bringing in some highly talented guys. They're not going to be Cup contenders just yet, but at least this team is starting to make the shift.
P.S. -- Zegras has one more year left on his deal before he becomes an RFA next summer. Danny Briere is a weapon.