Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras has never been afraid to stir debate, but his latest claim sent NHL fans into a frenzy. When asked who he considers the greatest hockey player ever, Zegras bypassed legends like Wayne Gretzky and Alex Ovechkin, instead giving his vote to Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes, a bold move that instantly lit up hockey discussions across social media.
Trevor Zegras calls Quinn Hughes “the best hockey player of all time”
Speaking with ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, Zegras reflected on his move to Philadelphia and how relieved he was to no longer face Vancouver multiple times a season. “I never want to play Quinn ever again,” Zegras said bluntly. “He’s the best hockey player of all time.”That remark quickly turned heads around the league. Hughes, a current Norris Trophy winner, is undoubtedly among the NHL’s most skilled defensemen, but being called the GOAT by a peer — especially over players who shaped hockey history is no small statement. It also underscores how the younger generation of stars views greatness through a modern lens, valuing speed, intelligence, and creativity over traditional stats.
Off-ice friendship gives insight into Trevor Zegras’ admiration
Zegras’ admiration for Hughes extends beyond the rink. The two have spent significant time training and golfing together alongside Quinn’s brothers, Jack and Luke Hughes. Zegras humorously contrasted their personalities, saying, “Jack will have a full conversation with you while he’s putting the tee in the ground… whereas Quinn is the exact opposite. He’ll take 10 practice swings and then hit one.”Also Read: Wayne Gretzky and Janet Jones’ relationship timeline: From Dance Fever to a marriage of more than 30 yearsThough Zegras won’t face Hughes as often now that he’s in the Eastern Conference, their paths will still cross twice this December, a storyline fans will be watching closely. Whether or not Hughes truly deserves the GOAT title, Zegras’ endorsement highlights how the next generation of players is rewriting hockey’s standards of greatness.
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