What Trevor Zegras said during his Flyers introductory press conference

Trevor Zegras met with the media Tuesday to discuss his trade to the Philadelphia Flyers and how he can help the team move towards contention.

The newest Philadelphia Flyer in Trevor Zegras met with the media today via Zoom to talk about the trade to the Flyers, his own expectations, Matvei Michkov and what Zegras can bring to the Flyers moving forward. Here’s what he had to say.

Q: What was your initial reaction to the trade? How soon did you text Jamie Drysdale and Cam York after finding out?

I guess my initial reaction was a little bit of both, you’re really excited when you hear the team but then you also think about the time you spent in Anaheim with your teammates and friends there. So once I heard it was Philadelphia it was really cool because, like you said, I’m best buddies with Cam and me and I lived with Jamie for two years in Anaheim and spent a lot of time with him. It’s exciting when you have familiar faces like that in a new place and a new home.

Q: Pat Verbeek believed you wanted to play center and Danny Briere said the plan is to try you in the middle. How excited are you to be back at center after two years on the wing? And how can that move spark your game?

I played center kind of my whole career up until two seasons ago. I’ve always felt more comfortable there. I think there are definite areas that I need to work on whether it’s on the faceoff circle or below the goal line or in front of the net in the defensive zone. I think it was good to play the wing and learn that position and the responsibilities. I’ll see where it goes with the new coach and the new team but I’ll definitely be excited to be back in the middle for sure.

Q: What are your thoughts on possibly playing with Matvei Michkov? What have you seen from him?

I haven’t gotten a chance to watch too much of him. From all the clips and highlights you see he seems like a really smart, skilled forward with a lot of creativity and a nose for the net. I think there’s a ton of guys on that roster that are amazing hockey players and I’m excited to get there and meet everybody.

Q: For the last year or more your name routinely popped up in trade talks. Did that weigh on you over the last season?

I mean it would be hard for me to say it didn’t. I think there’s definitely ups and downs with that stuff. I guess for the first time in my life and in my career, it started coming up. Because it never happened before you really don’t know how to handle it. Like I said there are highs and lows that come with it. I guess with the whole contract thing and trade rumors, it definitely gets your head spinning a little bit. But it’s definitely not an excuse or anything like that. Now that’s all behind me, I’ve moved on and I’m excited as heck for a new start in Philadelphia with some awesome people and a new organization. So I’m definitely pumped.

Q: You spoke with Rick Tocchet, what was that conversation like? What did he tell you of his expectations for you coming in?

I talked to him on the phone yesterday. It was a good conversation, he seems like an awesome guy. Somebody who I’m very excited to play for. I have a couple of friends and buddies that have played for him in other places and they had really good things to say about the kind of guy that he is. And the relationship he has with his players. That’s something I’m definitely excited for.

Q: Who’s better at tennis? You or Jamie Drysdale?

He stinks at tennis (laughs). I don’t think he’s ever beaten me at tennis. But he’s a good golfer. I’m trying to get some more emotion out of him. I don’t know if you saw the hole-in-one that he had the other day. He didn’t even seem like he was excited. So hopefully we can get the juices going.

Q: What were some of the things in Anaheim that plagued you in terms of health and production?

I guess from a production standpoint it’s obviously not what I expect out of myself. I think it gets kind of lost a little bit because I felt I was doing all the right things and everything that I was asked to do. Obviously you have to have some bounces. But obviously it’s a league with really good players and there’s going to be ups and downs throughout a season. I think I definitely learned a lot the last two years, about myself and what I’m capable of. I definitely learned a lot so hopefully I’m going to take all of that to Philadelphia with me and be the best version of myself.

Q: As an offensive player you want to produce but at the same time responsible in your own zone. How has that journey been for you both on the ice and mentally?

As long as we win the game I feel like that’s the most important thing. That’s what I’ve learned the most over the last couple of years. It’s more about how the team did than how you did. If you’re doing everything that is asked of you and you’re giving 100 per cent, you focus more about the process than the personal outcome. If the team is having success and they’re happy with what you’re doing and how you’re playing that’s more important.

Q: What’s it been like to play in Philadelphia?

Yeah, I’m really excited for that. I think that building is awesome and the fans are very passionate. Hopefully I can get on their good side pretty quickly. I’m excited to be there.

Q: You were on a rebuilding team in Anaheim. You’re now on a rebuilding team that’s trying to take that next step. Do you see yourself as a piece in getting there?

I think that’s the goal. Obviously you want to come to a new team and help them win anyway possible. I think personally I’m very excited. I’ve always had really good games against the Flyers over the years. I think we can be a really good team.

Q: It seemed like you were eager to play with Chris Kreider in Anaheim and be part of the new era with Joel Quenneville. Did this trade surprise you or did you anticipate it happening?

I think yes and no. I think the Kreider thing was funny because we were in the gym together that day. It seemed like a funny joke. I was a little bit surprised but all the more excited to be joining such a storied franchise in Philadelphia and excited to get going with those guys.

Q: So much seemed possible for you in Anaheim and Pat Verbeek once saw you as part of the future. Why do you think things went sideways?

You’d have to ask him. I don’t know. I just tried to be a good teammate and do what was asked of me. I’m going to try to bring that same mindset to Philadelphia. I guess my focus has shifted more towards what I can do for that team and that organization. I think what has happened in the past has made me a different person. I think I learned a lot in Anaheim. It taught me how to be a pro. I’m going to try to bring all that information and stuff that I learned to Philadelphia.

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