The once-rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers are entering a season of change: new coaches, new players, and a new direction. In a 2025–26 campaign of uncertainty (but in a good way), let’s take a look at and break down three hot takes.
Hot Take 1: Zegras Has an 80-Point Season
Over his past two campaigns, Trevor Zegras has only accumulated 47 points across 88 games. But he’s also entering a best-case scenario: likely to switch back to center full-time, and be a top-line one at that. If he regularly plays alongside Matvei Michkov in this upcoming season, I think he can reach a career-high 80 points.
For further context, no Flyer has reached the 80-point threshold since 2018–19. So, the prospects of this happening are slim, at least on paper. But there’s a catch. While Zegras’ recent showings have not been encouraging in the scoring department, he’s very much the same player that donned the cover of EA SPORTS NHL 23—none of the traits went away. If he has Michkov by his side, they can be maximized.
Related: 3 Reasons Flyers’ Matvei Michkov Will Be NHL’s Top Breakout Star in 2025-26
Firstly, Zegras quietly has a very disruptive stick. Throughout his career, he has made plays like the one shown below: stripping the puck off of an unsuspecting attacker, leading to a chance the other way (a goal, in this instance). With Michkov, who is already an expert in timing breakaways, plays like this can become a secret weapon in 2025–26. Be prepared for that.
Mason McTavish snipes on the breakaway to extend the Ducks lead to 3-1 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Dhdn19BKX3
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 8, 2025
Next, I want to discuss how demoralizing Zegras’ skill set can be in 1-on-1 situations. If there’s a single defender covering him on a rush, he can and will expose them—that’s part of the reason why his name is so recognizable. Consistently carrying the puck up the ice to dangle opponents out of their skates, he’s a human highlight reel. That much also hasn’t changed.
Finally, his creativity is off the charts. Zegras finds ways to make things happen, even during sequences most would consider dead. He’s a master of creating advantages for his linemates while simultaneously refraining from forcing anything that isn’t there, or could lead to trouble the other way.
All three of these traits have one thing in common: they make Michkov’s job easier. Zegras can add another dynamic element to the…
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