In the world of hockey, Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras is as vibrant as they come. Subtlety?
Not exactly his forte. Just ask his coach, Rick Tocchet, who got a taste of Zegras' boldness during a practice earlier this month.
Zegras approached Tocchet with a not-so-subtle suggestion about his role on the team: “Hey, should I take some face-offs? Am I going to be playing some center?”
Tocchet initially brushed it off, but the wheels started turning.
Fast forward to the Flyers' matchup against the Penguins, and Zegras found himself right where he wanted to be-at center. Since then, he's been a fixture in the middle, skating alongside Owen Tippett and Carl Grundström, with Nikita Grebenkin stepping in for Grundström in a recent game against the Blue Jackets.
Over the past five games, Zegras and Tippett have been leading the Flyers' charge, each racking up four points. Tippett’s 18 shots are a testament to his aggressive play, while Zegras is right behind with 11.
Tippett, free from the stress of trade rumors, has been the Flyers' standout forward. But Zegras deserves credit, too, for the chemistry they’ve developed.
With Zegras’ speed matching Tippett’s, they’ve become a formidable duo.
“I played with Tippett earlier this year, and it was great,” Zegras shared. “He’s incredibly fast and smart, making my job easier. His wide speed keeps defenses on their toes, and his shot is something special.”
Tocchet echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of pairing Tippett with someone who can feed him the puck on the move. The numbers back this up-when Zegras and Tippett hit the ice together, the Flyers outscore opponents 21-14 at even strength. Without each other, those numbers dip significantly.
Zegras is eager to cement his role at center, but there's a catch: face-offs. His recent record isn’t stellar, with just five wins out of 30 attempts in the last three games. He’s working on refining his technique, aiming for strength and precision.
“I haven’t taken many face-offs recently,” Zegras admitted. “It’s something I’m committed to improving. Being in the center lets me use my speed, especially playing with Tippett, who’s always pushing the pace.”
Zegras isn’t the only Flyer adjusting post-trade deadline. Matvei Michkov has returned to the right wing, where he feels more at home.
Despite the switch, his production has been modest, with just one even-strength point in the last five games. His expected-goals share is also a team low, but there are glimpses of promise.
In a recent game against the Blue Jackets, Michkov showcased his potential with a dynamic play, though consistency remains the goal.
Flyers president Keith Jones remains optimistic about Michkov’s development. He acknowledges the ups and downs of Michkov’s season but sees improvement in his defensive play and overall attention to detail. With a full offseason ahead, the hope is for Michkov to elevate his game further.
The Flyers are navigating changes, with Zegras and Michkov at the heart of it. As the season progresses, their development will be crucial to the team’s success.