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My apologies for my sparse writing content in recent days. The Flyers Alumni Charity Classic weekend, the Flyers’ pre-Draft press conference, my Cold War in Philly Q&A appearance and some Hockey Hot Stove non-writing matters occupied most of my availability this week.
Rather than recapping the news from recent days, here are links to the related content I wrote for the Flyers Alumni and for the Flyers official site.
- Transaction Analysis: Flyers Acquire Woll and Benoit from Toronto. Also see Anthony Mingioni’s take.
- Pre-Draft press conference takeaways.
- Charity Classic Weekend recap.
Flyers hold just four picks in 2026 NHL Draft
Following Tuesday’s trade with Toronto, the Flyers hold just four picks presently in the seven-round Draft. However, if Philly winds up trading down a bit in the first round of the 2026 Draft, they could acquire another pick or two. Alternatively, if they make a move that involve trading a current roster player (Rasmus Ristolainen, perhaps?), they could add a Draft pick asset.
Briere, naturally, insisted that he’s comfortable with just four picks this year. He noted the slew of picks — including six in the first two rounds — the team made last year. However, owning just two early-round picks (and a single top-50 selection) is far from an ideal way to approach any Draft. Even average Draft crops bear future NHL talents along the way.
1st Round: 21st overall pick (own)
2nd Round: 53rd overall pick (own)
3rd Round: None
4th Round: None
5th Round: None
6th Round: 181st overall (own)
7th Round: 213th overall (own)
Flyers Development Camp: Expected attendees
The 2026 edition of the Flyers Development camp is slated to run from Jun 29 until July 3. The Flyers expect to have a large contingent of their picks from the 2023 to 2026 Drafts available to attend including Porter Martone, Jett Luchanko, Jack Nesbitt, Oliver Bonk, Jack Berglund, Shane Vansaghi, Spencer Gill, Carter Amico, Heikki Ruohonen, goaltender Carson Bjarnason and more. Although Denver Barkey no longer qualifies as an NHL rookie, he’s expected to be part of Development, too. Ditto Alex Bump, except Bump (17 NHL games) retains rookie status officially.
On Wednesday, July 1, all camp participants will do a public appearance at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia after the on-ice sessions at the FTC in Voorhees. The Franklin Institute appearance runs from 3:30 to 5:30 EDT. However, fans are encouraged to come as early as 2 p.m. for Flyers-related activities including appearances by Gritty and the Flyers Ice Team.
Museum ticket purchase is required to attend the autograph-signing event with the Flyers’ prospects and related activities.
Team Toyota Draft Spotlight: Maksim Sokolovskii
In previous Team Toyota Draft Spotlight featurs, we have looked at USHL center Jack Hextall, BU center Tynan Lawrence, Swedish blueliner Malte Gustafsson, QMJHL center/winger Maddox Dagenais of the Quebec Remparts, incoming BU center Caleb Malhotra, Swedish defenseman: William Håkansson and the Ruck twins.
Today, we’ll take a big change of direction. “Big” is the operative word: London Knights defensman Maksim Sokolovskii.
Sokolovskii is a somewhat divisive prospect but those who like him as a potential latter first-round candidate are intrigued. He’s both huge (6-foot-8, 238 pounds) and naturally athletic. The combination of his size, skating ranginess and physicality are the key to his appeal. Thus far, the Kazakh defenseman has been strictly a defensive defenseman.
Some view him as a future true shutdown defenseman in the NHL. Others peg him as a role-player and rank him in the second-round range. The Flyers, especially president of Hockey Operations Keith Jones, have a rock solid relationship with Dale Hunter and the Knights. As such, the Flyers have access to strong intel on London players.
If the Flyers opt for Sokolovskii, it’s not going out on a limb to predict that a vocal segment of the fan base will gripe. There would be skilled — but undersized — blueliners left on the board most likely. However, it’s also not hard to predict that Jones in particular would be unconcerned by the dissenters if Philly goes in that direction.
Cold War in Philly: Upcoming Showings
Each of the first seven showings of the Cold War in Philly documentary have sold out. Correspondingly, additional showings have been added at different locales.
- June 25th: White Rabbit Theatre (Phoenixville, PA) — Post-screening Q&A moderated by Sam Carchidi with Joe Amodei, Joe and Jimmy Watson. Tickets are $18 or $20. Click here.
- June 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th: The County Theatre (Doylestown, PA), Click here for show times and prices.
- June 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th: Ambler Theatre (Ambler, PA), Click here for show times and prices.
Collectors Corner: Clarke, Hextall and Vladar
Hall of Fame legend Bob Clarke is doing a private signing event at Carl’s Cards and Collectibles in Havertown, PA. Items for Clarke to sign are due by June 24. Clarke will be in the store that day to sign the items. For more info, click here.
Meanwhile, Flyers Hall of Fame goaltender and former general manager Ron Hextall is doing his own private signing for Carl’s on June 29. For info, click here.
Additionally, current Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar will do an open-to-the-public (tickets requires) in-store signing at Carl’s on Saturday, August 29. Autographs are $49 each. Photo ops are $39 each. Inscriptions are $20 each. For info, click here.
Guffaw Cigars
Five-time NHL All-Star and Flyers Hall of Fame inductee Brian Propp introduced his own line of top-quality hand-crafted Dominican cigars . The Guffaw Cigar collection is highly rated for its balanced boldness, sophistication and premium-aged tobacco. Brian himself is a longtime cigar aficionado. He wanted his signature line to reflect the qualities he values in a cigar.
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