Following a five-season absence from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers have appointed Rick Tocchet, formerly of the Vancouver Canucks, as their new head coach. In the days leading up to the 2025 NHL Draft, the Flyers are acquiring forward Trevor Zegras in a transaction with the Anaheim Ducks.
The Flyers are parting ways with forward Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second-round selection (No. 45), and a 2026 fourth-round selection to the Ducks as part of the agreement.
Zegras accumulated 67 goals and 119 assists during his tenure with the Ducks. His most productive season was in 2022-23, where he achieved a career-best 65 points (23 goals and 42 assists) across 81 games. However, the dynamic forward’s appearances have been limited to 88 games over the past two seasons due to injuries. Zegras is coming off a season where he contributed 32 points (12 goals & 20 assists) in 57 games for the Ducks.
The Ducks, facing their own set of challenges, have not participated in the postseason for seven consecutive years. The team also secured veteran forward Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers earlier this month, and they possess a substantial amount of forward talent.
Let’s analyze the assets each team is gaining in this trade and examine how Zegras will integrate into his new team.
The trade
Flyers receive
Ducks receive
- Ryan Poehling (C)
- 2025 second-round pick
- 2025 fourth-round pick
Grades
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers have been experiencing a period of stagnation since their last playoff appearance in the COVID-19-affected season. The previous leadership has been replaced in recent years, with former general manager Chuck Fletcher and coach John Tortorella departing. Danny Briere has taken over as general manager, and Tocchet has been appointed as coach.
Although the Flyers did not qualify for the postseason in 2024-25, Briere continued to position the organization for future success by acquiring a significant number of assets, including 10 picks in this week’s draft.
Zegras was once considered a foundational player for the Ducks, but the team has witnessed the emergence of several forwards, including Troy Terry, Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, and Cutter Gauthier. Interestingly, Gauthier was acquired from the Flyers last season in exchange for defenseman Jamie Drysdale. Gauthier made it clear that he had no intention of signing with the Flyers after the team drafted him with the No. 5 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Zegras was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2022 and recorded consecutive seasons (2021-22, 2022-23) with at least 60 points. During the 2022-23 season, Zegras was the Ducks’ leading scorer in points (65), goals (23), game-winning goals (3), and overtime goals.
While acquiring Zegras may involve some risk, it was a calculated risk that the Flyers could afford to take, given their abundance of draft picks. Zegras is set to earn $5.75 million in 2025-26 and will become a restricted free agent next summer. Philadelphia will have the chance to assess Zegras’s fit within their top six before committing to him for the long term.
Injuries have impacted Zegras’s ability to consistently play over the past two seasons, but he remains a highly skilled forward who likely hasn’t reached his peak potential. Even if the move proves unsuccessful, it’s a worthwhile gamble for Briere, considering that a second-round pick was the most valuable asset relinquished. Grade: B
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks have amassed a wealth of talented forwards, which is likely the primary factor behind trading Zegras. The market was not as competitive as it once was, considering the return that Anaheim received. Nevertheless, the Ducks are relieved of Zegras’s contract for the upcoming season.
In Poehling, the Ducks gain a bottom-six forward who could potentially center the team’s fourth line. Poehling is also highly adaptable, capable of playing on the wing if needed. Although not a flashy player, he’s a physical forward who is willing to compete in the trenches and score those hard-fought goals. Poehling recorded 12 goals and provided 19 assists for the Flyers in 2024-25.
The 2025 second-round pick is undoubtedly a valuable acquisition, given that it will be among the top 50 selections in this weekend’s draft. Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek made a sound decision to acquire a second-round pick for a team that will be aiming to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs next year. Simply put, there’s no such thing as having too many draft picks, as they can be used as trade assets for potential talent in the future.
It’s not an overwhelming return for Zegras, who was once envisioned as part of Anaheim’s future, but it allows Leo Carlsson to center the team’s top line — a position previously held by Zegras. This was a situation where Zegras and the Ducks likely needed a fresh start, given the trade rumors that have circulated over the past few seasons. Grade: C+
