It\u2019s NHL Mock Draft Monday, but this time around, it looks a little different. There has not been a whole lot of reason to change the way draft boards look right now, so there\u2019s no sense in predicting a different player to be selected by the Philadelphia Flyers. <\/p>\n
Instead, we\u2019re going to do some draft rankings. <\/p>\n
Center is a position of great need for the Flyers. In the pipeline, the Flyers have Jett Luchanko, Jack Nesbitt, and Jack Berglund. There is not much beyond that. So, it becomes a clear area of need for the Flyers. <\/p>\n
At the same time, a future 1C is what they really need, and finding one at at pick No. 21 will be incredibly difficult. <\/p>\n
There are levels in this draft class, as well. Only one player has the expectation of maybe being a No. 1 center. Another could flash that potential, but his size makes him trend more as a middle-six center. Beyond that, there are not that many projected to be better than a middle-six center.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, there are 3 centers, all of which will likely be selected in the top-15. Everyone else could be in play for the Flyers. Let\u2019s rank the best centers in the 2026 NHL Draft Class.<\/p>\n
Read More: Flyers Trade Talk: An Under The Radar Target This Summer<\/a><\/p>\n The Top 3 Centers<\/p>\n 1: Caleb Malhotra<\/a>, Brantford (OHL)<\/p>\n Malhotra is the clear-cut top center in the class. Speed, hockey IQ, competitiveness, and doing the detail work that matters most; he is the full package. I would expect Malhotra to be gone by the top-3, let alone top-5. If he somehow slips, he would be worth whatever the steep trade-up cost is. But that won\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n 2: Viggo Bjorck<\/a>, Djurgarden (SHL)<\/p>\n If Bjork wasn\u2019t 5\u20199\u2033, he would be in a 1A-1B conversation with Malhotra. His size will cause him to fall farther than he is worth, but still, I would not expect him to fall much further than 12 with the Devils as a prime team to take him. Everything from his shot, skill, skating, and awareness is above average, projecting him to be a top-six staple someday. His size limits him. If he falls into the second half of the draft, he too, is worth a steep trade to move up.<\/p>\n 3: Tynan Lawrence<\/a>, Boston University (NCAA)<\/p>\n Lawrence was once a top-5 lock, but a premature jump to the NCAA made Lawrence look human. His compete has never been doubted, he is strong on the puck, and possesses a good shot. He got off to an excellent start with Muskegon in the USHL before going to BU. College hockey seemed to be a lot for him, but it will only help him for next season. Lawrence has the prototypical NHL frame, but needs to grip the stick a little more loosely before he can make an impact.<\/p>\n The Flyers range<\/p>\n Outside of the top-3, the Flyers have a shot at landing any of the following centers, either at 21 or a moderate trade-up.<\/p>\n 4: Oliver Suvanto<\/a>, Tappara (Liiga)<\/p>\n Oliver Suvanto is the prototypical defensive center in this year\u2019s draft class. The 6\u20193\u2033 Finnish center is strong and physical, and has proven to be as responsible as all. He\u2019s not going to be the dynamic offensive type, but he\u2019ll certainly shut things down. He\u2019ll making his NHL living infront of the net, and if he can keep building on that, he could become a very solid 2C for years to come.<\/p>\n 5: Egor Shilo<\/a>v, Victoriavilla (QMJHL)<\/p>\n Egor Shilov had a monstrous year in the Q. He has speed and elite vision, a true offensive forward. Shilov has a strong shot and is a creative playmaker, the kind of forward that is built for the power play. His 6\u20191\u2033 frame is average for an NHL skater, but he tends to shy away from contact. Shilov is Penn State-bound and is likely to be in Hockey Valley starting next season<\/a>. The physicality of college hockey will do wonders for him, but it will also help NHL teams know whether they\u2019re getting a center or a winger.<\/p>\n 6: Jack Hextal<\/a>l, Youngstown (USHL)<\/p>\n Jack Hextall is the most well-rounded center of the attainable centers for the Flyers. He is a good center, not a great one. But he\u2019s good at everything. Hextall is competitive, a decent skater, has a good shot, and has good puck skills. He lacks scoring, but it\u2019s something he can still add to his game. Not to mention, he is Michigan State-bound, and I am a big believer in Adam Nightingale\u2019s program.<\/p>\n 7: Ilia Morozov<\/a>, Miami (OH) (NCAA)<\/p>\n Ilia Morozov broke onto the NCAA scene as a freshman last season. He is big, 6\u20193\u2033. Morozov skates really well for his size and physically. He wins puck battles, and adds some toughness to any team. In Year 1 at Miami, Morozov did not flash the offensive ability, but looked like a surefire bottom-six center.<\/p>\n