Philadelphia Flyers 2026 Mock Draft 3.0

It’s time for the third mock draft for the Philadelphia Flyers. 

After being slated to select five times in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Flyers will now make four selections after trading a third-round pick to Toronto on Tuesday.

In this third version of a mock draft, the Flyers will move up in the first round. General manager Daniel Briere said that the organization would be open to trading up if it meant building for the future, and this trade does exactly that. 

So without further ado, here’s a four-pick mock draft for the Philadelphia Flyers.

TRADE: Round 1, Pick 9: Viggo Björck (C, Djurgårdens IF, SHL)

The Flyers are moving up in the first round to select the highly talented Swedish center, who is regarded as one of the best centers in the draft class despite his drop all the way to number nine. The Flyers would be sending the 21st overall pick they held, along with defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. Ristolainen has been in trade conversations since the trade deadline all the way back in March, and this move frees up cap space for a player who is going to be an unrestricted free agent after the end of the 26-27 season. 

The 31-year-old has played well for the Flyers when he’s on the ice, but is taking up a roster spot that other younger players should be occupying. Players like Oliver Bonk and David Jiricek need more time in the NHL to develop, and with the Flyers’ mindset set on open youth, moving Ristolainen allows these younger players to get that experience instead of being stuck in the AHL. 

This trade also allows them to add more youth in Bjorck. He has elite two-way play and strong puck protection. So why would the top center fall this far in the draft? He has some concerning flaws that might make teams wanna pass up on him. His average speed and height of only 5-foot-9 are scaring teams when he has to battle against stronger and larger defensemen in the NHL. His straight-line speed isn’t going to outrun a defenseman, meaning he will have to rely on his hockey IQ and positioning to create chances. 

Round 2, Pick 53: Maksim Sokolovskii (D, London Knights, OHL)

Standing at 6-foot-8 and 238 pounds, this guy is pretty huge, and he can use that to his advantage. He’s very violent and can win battles along the boards pretty easily thanks to his strength. He uses his reach to clog transition lanes and can lock down attackers trying to create chances along the boards and in the middle. 

One major lack of his is his lack of offensive production. Now, obviously, you aren’t expecting a defender to rack up points in every single match, but he only registered eight points in 44 games in the 2025-26 OHL season. His shot lacks velocity, and when he is in, he struggles to get pucks through to another teammate at the blue line. He tends not to make simple passes under heavy pressure and is prone to handling the puck or trying to create a chance that is just impossible.

The Flyers have a good history with selecting players from the Knights, such as Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey, and if they do select Sokolovskii, they are hoping he can be the same as those two players who went through Ontario.

Maksim is committed to Maine for the 2026-27 season. 

Round 6, Pick 181: Illia Shybinskyi (LW, Guelph Storm, OHL)

Shybinskyi is a fast-paced winger who is just getting better and better. Despite only being 5-foot-10, he plays a fantastic forecheck with a very accurate wrist shot. His offensive instincts are very impressive for a player this late into the draft, and he has shown that. He went from a fifth-round selection in the OHL strictly for depth to being on the first line for the Guelph Storm in the 2025-26 season.

He finished third in scoring for the Guelph Storm with 19 goals and then added 25 assists to finish with 44 points. While representing Ukraine in the IIHF World Championship Division I, he racked up seven points in five games through four goals and three assists.

Committed to St. Lawrence University for the 2027-28 season, he will have one more season to craft his skills in the OHL before he goes off to college, with the Flyers being able to keep his rights to let him develop. The Flyers love their depth of wingers, and this sixth-round selection could offer immense upside with his production this late into the draft. 

Round 7, Pick 213: Jet Kwajah (D, Madison Capitals, USHL)

Kwajah is a high-tempo defenseman who can skate quickly to stop a scoring chance, jump into a rush, and distribute the puck cleanly. He shows his aggression by locking onto attackers rushing in to stop chances and control the puck. He led all of the Capitals’ defensemen in scoring with seven goals and 20 assists, with him earning a spot on the USHL All-Rookie Team. 

Adding a right-handed defenseman who can transition the puck is great value in the NHL. That will fill a void that the Flyers need as their current defensemen grow older. Kwajah’s calling card allows him not to concede the zone easily, which allows him now to use his aggressive rush to his advantage. He is committed to Penn State for the upcoming NCAA season. 

Get New Articles Emailed Right To Your Inbox: