Trevor Zegras Returns to Center Ice with Roommate Denver Barkey
Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras is set to shift back to his natural position of center, a move he has publicly coveted since his arrival from the Anaheim Ducks. The lineup adjustment comes with a unique twist, as Zegras will pivot a line featuring his current housemate, rookie Denver Barkey, on the wing.
Head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed the roster experiment ahead of Wednesday’s matchup, placing Zegras between Barkey and power forward Owen Tippett. The decision offers Zegras a significant opportunity to demonstrate his viability as a top-six pivot, a role he struggled to secure permanently during his tenure in Anaheim due to defensive inconsistencies and injury interruptions.
This new line combination leans heavily into offensive creativity but raises immediate questions regarding defensive stability. Critics point to Zegras’s historical struggles with faceoffs and defensive zone coverage as potential liabilities for a center, particularly under Tocchet’s structured system. Furthermore, pairing him with Barkey—a smaller, skill-oriented forward—could leave the line vulnerable against heavier, physically imposing opponents.
Despite these concerns, the organization hopes the off-ice chemistry between Zegras and Barkey translates into on-ice production. Zegras, acquired in a blockbuster trade in June 2025, has faced scrutiny regarding his two-way game but remains one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers when given space. For Barkey, playing alongside a veteran housemate offers a comfortable environment to navigate his rookie season. The success of this “roommate connection” will depend largely on whether their shared creativity can outweigh the defensive risks inherent in their playstyles.
