Flyers two-round mock draft: What positions could the team address in the NHL draft?
With the draft set for later this month, The Inquirer has the Flyers addressing their needs with two American-born draft prospects.
Our first mock draft of the 2026 NHL draft is not an easy one because, after making it to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Flyers will make their first selection at No. 21 in the first round.
That leaves 20 selections, and, at a minimum, 90 minutes of chaos leading up general manager Danny Brière looking into a camera and announcing the Flyers’ pick.
For the record, it would not come as a shock if Brière tries to move up in the draft order or add some picks, as the Flyers have five across the seven rounds. But a lot can happen between now and the draft, which is less than a month away. Round 1 begins on June 26, followed by Rounds 2-7 on June 27. The Flyers will hold court in Atlantic City.
Here is The Inquirer’s first mock draft for the Flyers:
» READ MORE: Who’ll join the Flyers with the 21st pick? Here are 15 options for Danny Brière and Co. in June’s draft
First round: Tommy Bleyl, RHD, Moncton (QMJHL)
When breaking down who the Flyers have drafted in the past three drafts under Brière and the past six with assistant general manager Brent Flahr at the helm, all signs point to a younger forward from Canada who is over 6 feet tall.
Well, the Flyers have plenty of 6-foot or taller centers, after drafting Porter Martone and Jack Nesbitt in the first round last year in the first round, and two years ago adding Jack Berglund, Heikki Ruohonen, and Jett Luchanko, who is now listed at that height. And the wings are jam-packed, especially on the right side.
Asked about the draft in December, assistant general manager Brent Flahr told The Inquirer:
“Early on, I think it’s a strong defensemen draft. There are some quality wingers. I think there are a couple of centermen, but not a really deep pool of centermen. But some good players. … I don’t think there’s any Connor McDavids. There are some well-known, big-name players at the top end, and there are some guys challenging behind who aren’t as far up as some people think. So it’ll be interesting."
With that in mind, let’s go the complete opposite of how the Flyers have generally gone in the first round the past three years and select an 18-year-old defenseman from the United States who is only 5-11½.
Meet Tommy Bleyl, a New York native who is all over the map in regard to where he’ll be selected, but is a rising commodity; TSN analyst Craig Button recently moved him up to No. 27 from No. 39 on his rankings. And while you may say it’s too soon to take him at No. 21, let’s remember Luchanko and Nesbitt were risers who were drafted higher than many thought they’d go.
“One of the most prolific defenders in junior hockey this season,” The Athletic’s draft analyst Corey Pronman wrote on May 19, when he had the blueliner going to the Carolina Hurricanes at No. 30.
“Bleyl is a mobile, highly skilled blueliner who has racked up points all year, including a great postseason, but he’s of average size.”
Yes, there have been some criticisms of the Flyers’ defense being small: however, Oliver Bonk (6-2), David Jiříček (6-4), Hunter McDonald (6-4), and Ty Murchison (6-2) are on the cusp of making the NHL squad, and Spencer Gill (6-4), Carter Amico (6-5), and Luke Vlooswyk (6-5) are in the system. That’s a monster-sized blue line.
So why not add a skilled, high-end skater who can either take the puck end-to-end or be the puck-mover the Flyers desperately need at not just five-on-five, but on the power play?
Bleyl had a record-breaking rookie season in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League for Moncton. He potted 81 points in 63 regular-season games — 42 of those points coming on the power play — and was named the top defensive rookie.
His point total broke a record that stood for 48 years, and Bleyl led the QMJHL with 68 assists before he capped it off by finishing third in playoff scoring. Of his 28 points in 21 playoff games, three goals and seven points were with the man advantage, and he had a total of 71 shots on goal, third-most in the postseason.
“He fits the profile of how you can impact the game from the back end,” Button noted. “He’s smart, poised, he’s got jump in his game. He was a dynamic player for Moncton this year.
“To me, it’s not about your height or size or anything. What attributes do you have, and how can they impact the games? His skating, thinking, initiative, and puck play impact the game in a significant [way].”
Last but not least — and, to be fair, the most significant note — he is headed to Michigan State in 2027. The Flyers have openly praised the Spartans program, specifically with Martone, who helped build up his body and game for the NHL.
» READ MORE: Porter Martone’s fast start with the Flyers was forged in Michigan State’s gym: ‘The best decision I ever made’
Second round: Blake Zielinski, F, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
No better story than this: bring the kid home.
Zielinski grew up in Berlin, N.J., and played for the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers before heading to North Jersey to suit up for the Avalanche. As a youngster, he skated for the late Tony Voce, the first Philly native to play for the Flyers organization, at the World Selects Invitational.
And he is preparing for his first NHL development camp by training at Holleydell Ice Arena in Sewell. It’s the same rink where Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau plied their trade, which makes it even more meaningful that Zielinski was recently awarded the Gaudreau Award, an annual honor given to the player in the United States Hockey League who best embodies the legacy of the brothers.
“Despite his elite talent, Blake competes with humility and respect for the game,” his coach for Des Moines, Derek Damon, told USHL.com. “He understands that success is built through team effort, and he consistently uses his ability not just to stand out, but to lift the performance and confidence of everyone around him.”
The Flyers like character guys, and that embodies Zielinski. But he is also talented.
Listed at 5-11½, 188 pounds, the 18-year-old moved up Central Scouting’s list during the season, reaching No. 51 at the final rankings — one spot above where Jackson Blake, who just terrorized the Flyers with seven points in the Carolina Hurricanes’ second-round sweep, was in 2021.
Last summer, Zielinski opened eyes when he helped the United States win gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, leading the team with four goals and nine points. In the semifinals, he was named USA Hockey’s player of the game after potting a goal and an assist and scoring in the shootout with a “T.J. Oshie move” to beat Canada 4-3.
» READ MORE: Q&A: Phantoms coach John Snowden on developing young Flyers, David Jiříček’s power-play prowess, and more
He was then a late addition to the U.S. roster at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, a two-game series between top prospects for the 2026 draft from the Canadian Hockey League and the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 Team.
In December, as a 17-year-old, he was part of the U.S. team that won gold at the World Junior “A” Challenge, an U-19 tournament, notching two goals and four points in five games. And in January, he played in the Chipotle All-American Game, showcasing the top draft-eligible players from USA Hockey’s U-18 National Team and other teams in the USHL.
Across his season with Des Moines, Zielinski, who can play wing or center, showed that he is willing to go to the hard areas and the front of the net — something Flyers coach Rick Tocchet always stresses — and worked his way up to the second line for the Buccaneers.
He finished second on the team in scoring with 25 goals and 55 points in 53 regular-season games before adding a pair of goals in three playoff games. Eight of his regular-season goals and 12 of his assists were on the power play.
And, like many Flyers picks, he’s heading off to college. He will play for Providence College in 2027.