The '25-'26 Philadelphia Flyers thread

[LegoDoom]

The Flyers could have done this a year ago with Henry Brzustewicz

[xogfog]

With the Blues trade for McTavish, maybe the Blues might be more open to trading Thomas, Flyers have the ammo to replenish their cupboard. Maybe a deal of Ristolainen, Luchenko, a 2026 2nd (pick 53) and a 2027 first (theirs).

[Squire]

Well....eliteprospects.com thought it was good value at 27 at least....

Ranked #51 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #22 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #60 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #52 by THN/KENNEDY
Ranked #40 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #59 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #36 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #40 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #31 by SPORTSNET/COSENTINO
Ranked #33 by SPORTSNET/BUKALA
Ranked #83 by HPR/MALLOY

[dicemen99]

Once he traded down, I knew most on here would pan the pick. You do that when you’ve identified someone you want who’s not as highly rated or you think that there are a dozen players on the board without a standout.

This seems to be a big swing pick - elite tools but lots of development in front of him. I’m okay with that. 6’7” 17 year olds often have a lot of getting used to their size development ahead of them. If he continues to make strides this year it will bode well for the future.

Saw this this morning and I think it would be a bold move. Any idea of the package it would take? I’m sure the ask includes Martone, but is there any way we get it done without including him?

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7400172/2026/06/27/flyers-werenski-trade-draft/?unlocked_article_code=1.tVA.clBq.qoMUsLGVF0EI&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta

Gift link.

[zambonir]

The previous Thomas report was Blues wanted one of Martone, Foerster or Michkov to start the package. Luchanko doesn't get it done and they probably don't want Risto. Blues had four first-round picks and I'd think this trade signals Thomas (who is young and under contract) and McTavish will be teammates for years to come (unless McTavish isn't good again).

[Austinfan]

Definitely a swing for the fences move.
Soko is a unicorn, 6'7 238 with speed and good edge work, which is surprising for a kid coming off a huge growth spurt.
He's a July B-day so lots of runway.
Playing for London he'll get ezcellent coaching on a team that's always in the OHL PO picture, then he's slotted to go to Maine.
How much his offense can develop is a big unknown, but if he has the hockey IQ, could be a shutdown defensemen with his size, speed and snarl.

Slavin hardly scores more than Seeler, but 31 teams would line up for his services.
A top defender has a lot of value, maybe more than most offensive D-men.

[jimbomill]

I knew most on here would pan the pick.

I think it deserves to be panned. It worse than Luchenko, which was another time the Flyers were trying to be the smartest organization in the room, seeing value when nobody else did. Sokolovskii may have been there for us in the second round. Lin would have been applauded, not panned. Even Bleyl would have been better..

[dicemen99]

I knew most on here would pan the pick.

I think it deserves to be panned. It worse than Luchenko, which was another time the Flyers were trying to be the smartest organization in the room, seeing value when nobody else did. Sokolovskii may have been there for us in the second round. Lin would have been applauded, not panned. Even Bleyl would have been better..

While a player like Lin may turn out to be a nice contributor, big rangy guys on the blue line are real difference makers for teams that want to contend for the Cup. Something the Flyers don’t really have. No interest in Lin. If you’re gonna take a chance on a little guy on the blue line, I would opt for Villenueve, who’s got real offensive upside.

I see no way that someone with Sokolovskii’s size and athleticism would be available in the 50s. No way. Someone for sure was taking a chance on that in the 25 picks till their next pick.

[jimbomill]

I would opt for Villenueve, who’s got real offensive upside.

I see no way that someone with Sokolovskii’s size and athleticism would be available in the 50s

Villenueve - nice point. Here's the Athletic's analysis on pick # 27:

[dicemen99]

I would opt for Villenueve, who’s got real offensive upside.

I see no way that someone with Sokolovskii’s size and athleticism would be available in the 50s

Villenueve - nice point. Here's the Athletic's analysis on pick # 27:

Yet he went from being the #132 ranked prospect mid-season to the #40 final ranking. Large gangly 17 year old who is rapidly improving - when you are drafting guys that young it means something.

Skating is relative for size. Every report I’ve read on him says he moves very well for his size, despite what you’re reading on the Athletic.

Puck skills, again, relative. It’s like comparing Zane Durant’s combine numbers to tackles who are 6’4, 320. Yet who’s getting drafted first. The Flyers didn’t draft this guy to be an offensive minded defenseman.

If you don’t like the big swing, fine. Settling for a safer pick at the end of the first round usually results in a guy with a middling ceiling.

If you’ve got elite size and athleticism for that size with high-compete, that’s usually a good long term bet.

[LegoDoom]

"He moves well for his size." is basically shorthand for a bad skater, but you'd expect him to be worse because he's big.

I don't really see the offensive upside at all.

And with the goalie pick I've got to think that the Flyers have a regular pickup game with the Sixers.

[jimbomill]

Yet he went from being the #132 ranked prospect mid-season to the #40 final ranking.

Why stop at 40? Lin was, what, #17? Big difference in my eyes.

[dicemen99]

I don't really see the offensive upside at all.

I mean, if you’re pointing toward the offensive upside with this pick, this discussion is pointless.

[LegoDoom]

I don't really see the offensive upside at all.

I mean, if you’re pointing toward the offensive upside with this pick, this discussion is pointless.

It's half of the game.

[dicemen99]

Yet he went from being the #132 ranked prospect mid-season to the #40 final ranking.

Why stop at 40? Lin was, what, #17? Big difference in my eyes.

These kids are being ranked as 17 year olds. It’s not comparable to any other professional league. One draft analyst had 62 kids they profiled for the first round. There is a lot of development runway for 99% of the draftees. With a lot of variable outcomes. Teams are being on the traits they value the most.

[LegoDoom]

I mean, he was drafted in the ohl, so it's not like this is something new.

His footwork is decent. To be fair it's though to find film on him that are not hits or fighting.

[LegoDoom]

I guess I don't understand the swing for the fences aspect of the pick and then ignore his offense. You're not swinging for the fences, you are swinging for a double.

[LegoDoom]

And Sauer is a fighter. Awesome.

[Pat_Burrell]

Made the most sense for him to go to the Canes

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/49199974/hurricanes-acquire-rights-defenseman-john-carlson-trade-ducks

[bigegypt0417]

Flyers drafted 2 goalues...weird draft.