Philadelphia Flyers
Overpay or Going Rate?: Flyers Give Zegras Huge New Deal
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed Trevor Zegras to a four-year extension with a very high AAV given his track record.
The Philadelphia Flyers have locked up forward Trevor Zegras on a four-year extension carrying a $9.125 million AAV, GM Daniel Briere announced Wednesday. The deal includes a limited no-trade clause kicking in for Years 3 and 4.
“We’re thrilled to have Trevor committed to our organization for the next four years,” Briere said in the team’s release, noting that Zegras’s growth this past season reinforced the front office’s belief in him as a long-term piece.
The extension comes off a career year. Zegras set new highs across the board with 26 goals, 67 points, and 23 power-play points in the regular season, then carried that into the postseason, leading Philadelphia with six points (2G-4A). It’s the third 60-plus-point season of his six-year career.
Since being drafted 9th overall by Anaheim in 2019, Zegras has posted 253 points (93G-160A) in 349 career games, was a Calder Trophy finalist in 2021-22, and has represented Team USA five times, including an MVP performance at the 2021 World Juniors on the way to gold.
At $9.125M AAV, the deal represents a significant bet from Philadelphia on Zegras as a true difference-maker rather than a streaky, high-ceiling complementary piece.
Was $9.125M the Right Price for Trevor Zegras?
The Flyers just bet big on one bounce-back season. Things fell apart under then-Anaheim coach Greg Cronin, who benched him for decision-making issues. Injuries limited him to 31 games in 2023-24, and persistent trade rumors didn’t help. By the time Anaheim moved him for Ryan Poehling and two mid-round picks, he’d fallen to just 47 points across his final 88 games.
Philadelphia bet the collapse was circumstantial, and so far, they’ve been right. Zegras’ 67-point, 26-goal year with the Flyers already beats his previous two Anaheim seasons combined.
On comps, $9.125M is aggressive but not indefensible. It seems to be where contracts are heading. The limited no-trade clause structure is the smart part: full flexibility now if last season was a mirage, protection kicks in only once he’s proven it over two more years. That’s Philadelphia hedging the exact risk their own trade history with him created.
For some, it’s still hard to fathom what players who aren’t point-per-game talents are getting, but even if slightly expensive, this is just what players like this are going to start costing.
Next: Top UFA Forward No Longer an Option for the Maple Leafs
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