The number is out there, and it is going to turn heads in Philadelphia. According to recent projections, Trevor Zegras could be staring down a five-year, $45 million contract extension to remain a Flyer. That breaks down to an Average Annual Value (AAV) of $9 million—a figure that would instantly crown him the highest-paid player on the roster.
For a 24-year-old leading the team with 39 points, the talent is undeniable. But is this the right term for a rebuilding squad, and does Zegras finally have the upper hand at the negotiating table? Let’s dive into the financials and the leverage.
Why the Flyers Might Pay Up for Zegras
When the Flyers acquired Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks last summer, the goal was to inject high-end skill into a lineup that desperately needed a playmaker. By all accounts, the experiment has worked. Leading the team in points during a contract year is exactly the resume builder Zegras needed.
Kevin Kurz of The Athletic recently speculated on the $45 million figure, noting that a five-year term walks Zegras right into his prime. Strategically, this makes sense for the player. A five-year deal takes him to age 30, allowing him to hit the open market again just as the salary cap is expected to rise significantly. He could double-dip on “monstrous” contracts.
From my perspective as a long-time NHL observer, the Flyers are in a unique spot. They aren’t just paying for production; they are paying for a marketing icon and a cornerstone piece. In a rebuild, you need a face of the franchise. Zegras is that face. However, $9 million is a heavy price tag for a player who hasn’t yet hit the 80-point threshold consistently, though his current pace suggests he’s getting there.
The Leverage Shift: Arbitration Changes Everything
The most fascinating aspect of this negotiation is the power dynamic. Think back to his days in Anaheim. The talks were contentious, dragging on until October 2, 2023. Zegras missed camp, started slow, and eventually got hurt. He had no leverage then.
This time? It’s a completely different ballgame. Zegras has arbitration rights. This creates a hard deadline and forces the team to acknowledge his statistical value compared to his peers. If the Flyers lowball him, an independent arbitrator won’t. If he maintains this point-per-game pace, $9 million might actually be the floor, not the ceiling.
Furthermore, with reports suggesting the Flyers will be quiet at the March trade deadline—lacking obvious rental assets to sell—the front office’s primary focus will shift entirely to locking up Zegras. They cannot afford a repeat of the Anaheim saga. They need him in camp, happy, and signed.
While the sticker shock of $9 million is real, the cost of losing a 24-year-old elite playmaker during a rebuild is far higher. Expect Philly to pay the man, but keep an eye on the term—that will tell us everything about how the Flyers view their championship window.
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