Now that the NHL trade deadline is out of the way, it’s time to start taking a look at the 2026 NHL Draft. This year’s draft class might be perfect for the Philadelphia Flyers. The top of the draft class is loaded with wingers and defensemen, while most of the centers fall in the 10-20ish range.
If the season ended today, the Flyers would have the best odds at the 14th overall pick, 95.8%. They have just a 1.1% chance at picking 15th, and cannot pick any higher than 4th, which they have a 3.2% chance at. There is also a slightly better than 0% chance that the Flyers pick fifth.
That, of course, is if the season ended today. With a little less than 20 games to go, there is still a lot that can change.
Even with an extreme bottom out, I don’t see the Flyers with a chance at picking any higher than 7th, possibly 6th if Winnipeg goes on a small winning streak.
With that being said, I ranked my top 20 players in the 2026 NHL draft and separated them into tiers. The first being prospects that are simply out of the picture for the Flyers, followed by those that could be available, but with a little bit of luck. Then we look at what prospects are options if the Flyers bottom out, and then the wide range of prospects in the 11-15 range, where the Flyers are likely to land.
So, let’s get into our first NHL draft rankings of the year.
2026 NHL Draft Rankings
Prospects that are simply out of reach
1. Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)
32 GP, 14G, 34A, 48TP
2. Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda HC (SHL)
40 GP, 11G, 21A, 32TP
3. Keaton Verhoeff, LD, North Dakota (NCAA)
32GP, 6G, 14A, 20TP
Prospects that will require some ping pong ball luck
4. Alberts Smits, LD, Jukurit (Liiga)
38GP, 6G, 7A, 13TP
5. Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL)
61GP, 28G, 51A, 79TP
6. Chase Reid, RD, Soo (OHL)
42GP, 18G, 29A, 47TP
Prospects available if the Flyers bottom out
7. Carson Carels, LD, Prince George (WHL)
53 GP, 19G, 47A, 66TP
8. Viggo Bjork, C, Djurgardens IF (SHL)
39 GP, 5G, 8A, 13TP
9. Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough (OHL)
54 GP, 32G, 30A, 62TP
10. Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (OHL)
57GP, 34G, 25A, 59TP
Prospects in the Flyers’ current Range
11. Daxon Rudolph, RD Prince Ablert (WHL)
63GP, 27G, 43A, 6TP
Rudolph is a 6’2″ defenseman with high-end offensive ability. He is an elite puck mover, and his ability to control play from the point will be what helps separate him from others in the draft class. I don’t see him jumping the four defensemen ahead, but he should be the clear-cut fifth off the board.
12. Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston U. (NCAA)
16 GP, 1G, 3A, 4TP (Muskegon Numbers: 13GP, 10G, 7A, 17TP)
Lawrence was once a clear-cut top player in this draft class, giving the guys in the top five a run for their money. He made the jump to BU from Muskegon (USHL) midseason and has struggled very clearly. That has tanked his draft stock drastically, which may benefit the Flyers.
13. Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga)
48GP, 2G, 9A, 11 TP
Suvanto’s numbers aren’t all that impressive until you realize he is the second youngest player in the draft class. He plays a heavy, physical style of game that typically thrives as a defensive forward. At 6’3″ and 17 on draft day, Suvanto may be an interesting option for many.
14. JP Hurlbert, F, Kamloops (WHL)
62GP, 38G, 54A, 92TP
Hurlbert is a player who has only gotten better as the WHL season has progressed. The 6’0″ forward combines excellent play off the puck with a precise shot and great passing ability to be a truly elite scoring forward. Hurlbert can play center, but his weak faceoff ability in the WHL currently has him projected as an NHL winger.
––Flyers Current Projected Draft Spot––
15. Ryan Lin, RD, Vancouver (WHL)
48GP, 13G, 42A, 55TP
Lin projects to be a slightly more offensive than defensive defenseman, but has dominated the WHL. If he weren’t 5’11”, I think he’d be in top-five conversations.
16. Oscar Hemming, LW, Boston College (NCAA)
17GP, 1G, 7A, 8TP
Hemming is a 6’4″, physical winger who plays so strongly. For a 17-year-old, his physicality is impressive. He could probably benefit from another season in the NCAA to find his scoring touch and improve his skating, but the potential is absolutely there.
17. Ryan Roobroeck, C, Niagara (OHL)
49 GP, 30G, 28A, 58TP
Roobroeck was once considered a top-10 player, but has since fallen a bit. I am still higher on him than most. He is a 6’4″ center with a heavy shot and the skillset to be a well-rounded NHLer. What he lacks is consistency as a play driver. Roobroeck will be an interesting case come draft night.
18. Xavier Villenueve, LD, Blaineville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
35GP, 6G, 30A, 36TP
Villenueve is a pure skating offensive defenseman. He is a mobile puck mover who is one of the best offensive defensemen in the class. Like Lin, his 5’11” frame will likely cause him to fall.
19. Malte Gustafsson, LD, HV71 (SHL)
24GP, 0G, 3A. 3TP
Gustafsson is a 6’4″, 17-year-old defenseman playing in Sweden’s top league. He’s an excellent skater and uses his size and physicality to shut down plays. His offensive numbers in the U20 show promise of a two-way player.
20. Yegor Shilov, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
58GP, 30G, 48A, 78TP
Simply put, Shilov makes the game look easy. His puck skills are high-end, but he is a low-pace player, which is holding him back from being a top-10 pick. However, the potential is there for Shilov.
A Prospect I am higher on than most, and would not mind reaching for
HM. Brooks Rogowski, C, Oshawa
40GP, 12G, 20A, 32TP
Rogowski is a 6’6″ centerman who does not cut corners. He’s not the flashiest player, but he’ll go into the corners and win battles, he’ll get to the front of the net, and he’s excellent in transition. He’ll turn 18 on day 2 of the NHL draft this season, and intends to go to Michigan State for next season. I am high on any player that joins Adam Nightingale’s program.
Read More: PhHN Daily: Flyers Debut Goals; Canadiens Missed Trade; Nemec’s Future