Should the Flyers take a chance on Trevor Zegras? And three other centers Danny Brière could target in a trade.

With the NHL’s holiday roster freeze in the rear view, and the New Year upon us, the league’s hot stove is heating up.

The March 7 trade deadline is still two months away but several teams have reached make-or-break moments in their respective seasons and seem poised to shake up their rosters — we’re looking at you, Rangers, Sabres, and Predators. While the Flyers don’t need to make a panic move in their current position, they do have some obvious roster needs that could be addressed in the coming months, namely adding a No. 1 or No. 2 center. They also have some valuable trade pieces and draft capital that could help facilitate such a deal.

After looking at top-tier options like Elias Pettersson, Dylan Cozens, and Marco Rossi a few weeks ago, here’s Part 2 of our two-part series focusing on centers the Flyers could target in a trade.

» READ MORE: It’s no secret the Flyers need to land a high-end center. Here are three candidates who could fit the bill.

You knew this one was coming. Flyers fans have long clamored for a move to acquire Trevor Zegras, who’s gushing with skill with the brash personality to match, and seemed on a rocket ship to stardom not long ago. But Zegras’ career has come to a screeching halt the past two seasons both due to injuries — he just returned to the ice after tearing his meniscus in early December — and stylistic differences with Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek and coach Greg Cronin.

Zegras’ struggles away from the puck are well-documented, but he remains an immense talent who could benefit from a change of scenery.

So should the Flyers pick up the phone? That’s a complicated question. Zegras, who turns 24 in March, would likely drive Flyers coach John Tortorella crazy. That said, the 66-year-old Tortorella’s future beyond this season is murky at best, and general manager Danny Brière could covet the creativity and playmaking ability that Zegras could bring to the Flyers’ top six and power play. Matvei Michkov and Zegras would give the Flyers two elite offensive minds and playmakers, although there would be genuine concerns about the pair’s ability to play together on a line from a defensive perspective.

The Flyers have also made a recent deal with the Ducks, shipping the unhappy Cutter Gauthier to Anaheim last January for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick. Did we mention that Zegras and Drysdale are best friends?

Elite centers don’t become available via trade, so the Flyers need to be targeting players with pedigree, upside, and high-end skill who have a chance to develop into No. 1 or No. 2 centers. Zegras would certainly qualify, as the former top-10 pick possesses some uncoachable offensive traits and has twice produced at a 20-goal and 60-point clip in the NHL. Add in that Zegras’ value is probably at an all-time low and the fact that the Ducks seem poised to move in another direction, and the Flyers probably could get Zegras without giving up an arm and a leg.

Given Zegras’ struggles and the fact he is in year 2 of a three-year, $17.25 million bridge deal ($5.75 AAV), would Joel Farabee and a late first-round pick get a deal done? It just might. Zegras might not be a perfect fit but he’s a player to still believe in and one worth gambling on for the right price.

Reading the tea leaves, the Ducks would prefer to move Zegras over Mason McTavish, but the latter may no longer be untouchable. McTavish, 21, was the No. 3 overall pick in 2021 but is set to be a restricted free agent at season’s end. While the youngster has found some recent success on Anaheim’s second line centering Gauthier and Robby Fabbri, his overall play has dipped this season (five goals, 16 points in 33 games).

A rugged centerman at 6-foot-1, 219 pounds, McTavish is at his best utilizing his size as a power forward and playing downhill and driving the net. He also boasts a shot that makes him dangerous from distance and combined with his knack in front of goal, that should make him a consistent 30-goal guy one day.

McTavish is known to be a fierce competitor, but after entering the league as a highly-regarded two-way pivot, his defensive play and metrics have been disappointing at the NHL level.

While the losing situation in Anaheim hasn’t helped in that regard, McTavish has seemed to lose some of the little details in his game that contributed to him being such a high draft pick. McTavish does not have Zegras’ offensive ceiling, but his makeup and north-and-south style of play might make him a more logical fit if the Flyers are to continue down their current road with Tortorella.

Another name that has made the rounds the past two years on Flyers social media, Shane Pinto is a player the Flyers have reportedly checked on in the past. The link makes sense given the Flyers are looking for centers and the Senators’ depth at the position with Tim Stützle, Josh Norris, Pinto, and Ridly Greig. Moving Norris would be difficult given his hefty contract, which could make Pinto expendable.

Pinto, who turned 24 in November, is a solid two-way centerman who brings size (6-3, 204 pounds) and defensive acumen, plus some offensive upside to the table. Since he fully broke into the league in 2022-23, Pinto ranks No. 1 among Senators forwards — and 25th among all NHL forwards — in Evolving’ Hockey’s even-strength defensive goals above replacement model (5.1).

» READ MORE: Q&A: Keith Jones talks John Tortorella’s future, trade candidates, and the organization’s search for centers

Offensively, Pinto scored 20 goals as a rookie and played at an 18-goal, 54-point pace last season after sitting out the first 41 games due to a gambling suspension. Last season, he ranked third among Senators forwards in Corsi for percentage (53.4%) behind only Stützle and Brady Tkachuk, and led Ottawa in expected goals for percentage at 56.4%, according to Natural Stat Trick. He has six goals and 10 points in 30 games this season.

While Pinto’s metrics and projections are strong, the 2019 second-round pick has only played one full NHL season. He may not have the All-Star/offensive upside that a Zegras or McTavish would potentially offer, but there’s a pretty good chance Pinto develops into a steady second-line center.

Currently in the first of a two-year, affordable $7.75 million contract ($3.75 million AAV), Pinto would probably cost the Flyers a roster player and a high-end pick. With Ottawa looking to make the playoffs and in the market for a top-six winger, could Scott Laughton, a player they’ve reportedly expressed interest in before, be of intrigue? What about Farabee or red-hot Tyson Foerster?

The Senators have seemed reluctant to trade Pinto in the past but given their depth down the middle, they could use him to address other needs ahead of the trade deadline.

The least accomplished player on this list, Alex Turcotte, 23, is the type of young player that teams hope will pop with increased opportunity. Sidelined by injuries and buried down the Kings depth chart recently behind the likes of Anže Kopitar, Phillip Danault, Quinton Byfield, Gabe Vilardi, and Pierre-Luc Dubois, Turcotte is only now starting to break through at the NHL level.

The No. 5 overall pick in 2019, Turcotte has four goals and 15 points in 33 games for the Kings this season and was recently bumped up to the team’s top line as a left winger. Last season, Turcotte had just one goal and four points in 20 games for the Kings and 10 goals and 29 points in 35 games for their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign.

While Turcotte has yet to blossom as an NHL center, he has several traits that would entice a team like the Flyers, who are looking for help down the middle. First off, he has great speed, as he ranks in the 73rd percentile in top speed (22.54 mph) and the 76th percentile with 65 bursts of over 20 mph, according to NHL Edge.

Second, he was lauded in his draft year for his hockey sense and responsible two-way play. In 65 career games, Turcotte has an impressive even-strength defensive goals above replacement mark of 3.1, while he has fit right in since joining up with Kopitar and Adrian Kempe to the tune of six points in nine games.

It is worth noting that Turcotte centered Zegras and not the other way around at the 2021 World Juniors when the United States won gold and Zegras won MVP.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Turcotte is competitive in all three zones, can skate, and has good passing vision. A playmaker first, Turcotte is a gifted passer but also has some goals in his game. His work ethic and tenacity would seemingly fit well with the Flyers and their current coaching staff.

The risk is Turcotte has yet to stay healthy for a full season or produce as a center for an extended stretch with the Kings. It feels as if Turcotte is starting to turn the corner as a prospect, and that the time to strike in a trade is now and before he potentially takes off over the next few months.

The Kings would probably like to hold on to Turcotte given their extreme patience with him so far. But with the team looking a piece or two away from being a potential Stanley Cup contender, they could look to upgrade their roster in the short term and part with the once coveted prospect.

Trying to find a top center is like trying to win the lottery and Turcotte given his pedigree and toolbox might represent a ticket worth buying for Brière and Co.

Other names to watch: Cole Sillinger, Columbus Blue Jackets, Tommy Novak, Nashville Predators, Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg Jets, Mavrik Bourque, Dallas Stars, Filip Chytil, New York Rangers, Kirby Dach, Montreal Canadiens, Calum Ritchie, Colorado Avalanche, and Shane Wright, Seattle Kraken.