It is draft week and the Philadelphia Flyers have four picks in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft.
The week got off to a hot start on a day that has become somewhat of a meme in Philadelphia.
June 23rd is an annual holiday each year with the expectation of another trade happening. Over the past 15 years, the Flyers have made five deals on the date. The likes of Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Scott Hartnell, James van Riemsdyk, Brayden & Luke Schenn were all dealt.
Last year, the Flyers added Trevor Zegras to that list in a deal with the Anaheim Ducks.
This year, though, it came and went with no trades from the Flyers. But, that didn’t stop the rest of the NHL from stepping onto the Flyers territory.
Simon Nemec, William Eklund, Jordan Kyrou, and Bowen Byram were all dealt on Monday. Even a Top 5 pick in Fridays first round was dealt for the first time in 18 years.
The trade winds are certainly swirling around the NHL. It has many Flyers fans wanting moves to be made to improve a young team after making the playoffs for the first time in five years.
Danny Briere continues to show patience and that may be par for the course over the next few days.
Rasmus Ristolainen Market
The Flyers continue to take calls on Rasmus Ristolainen. His market is expected to pick up as the draft nears closer in the next 24-48 hours.
Briere’s decision to hold onto Ristolainen at the deadline was a puzzling one at the time. But, after a magical run to the playoffs and his impressive performance down the stretch, it has only reaffirmed the Flyers asking price.
The Flyers have held firm on wanting a 1st round pick plus another piece in return for the Finnish defenseman. That price has a good chance to be met with multiple teams showing interest in Ristolainen.
Ottawa, Edmonton, Boston, Detroit, Montreal, and Anaheim have all shown interest.
Two Options At #21
If the Flyers make their selection at 21, two options I see fit are Nikita Klepov and JP Hurlbert. Both are headed to the NCAA next season.
Klepov, headed to Michigan State, is a 6’0″ 185lbs winger with incredible hands and playmaking skills. The OHL scoring title winner as a rookie, 37 goals and 60 assists, is one of the youngest players in the draft – turns 18 on Saturday.
While he needs to add size, his physicality and grittiness reminds me a lot of Travis Konecny in his draft year. Konecny’s knock in his draft year was adding size too, but I think he turned out pretty fine.
Hurlbert, headed to Michigan, is a 6’0″ 183lbs center / wing with an NHL ready shot and the scoring touch to compliment it. His 42 goals was second most among draft eligible players in the WHL last season behind Liam Ruck.
His play away from the puck needs some work and needs to add some muscle. But, the tools are their for a true Top 6 scoring center.
Jamie Drysdale Extension
Jamie Drysdale has found new life in Philadelphia after being acquired from Anaheim in the Cutter Gauthier deal.
Drysdale had a breakout season this year with 8 goals and 24 assists in 78 games. Firmly cementing himself in the Flyers long term plans on defense.
According to league sources, the Flyers and Drysdale are progressing on an extension. Many believe the number could be in the $6 million to $6.5 million annual average range.
The sides have pushed talks off for now with the draft this weekend, but expect talks to pick back up next week.
Trevor Zegras May Take Time
The other important RFA the Flyers have to sign is Trevor Zegras.
Zegras’ extension is going to take longer then originally expected due to the trade request from Dylan Larkin. Zegras and Larkin share the same agent and his focus currently has been on the trade front in Detroit.
This is no fear from the Flyers standpoint that a deal will not get done and some still believe it could get done before July 1st. Danny Briere likes to use term to get the cap number down and after July 1st, the max number of years goes down to seven.
Would expect some type of news surrounding Zegras over the next week.
