Russ’s Final Draft Rankings & The Philadelphia Flyers options in the NHL Draft First Round
The Philadelphia Flyers' 2026 NHL Draft strategy is under intense scrutiny as Russ Cohen releases his final rankings, revealing a pivotal moment for the team at pick 21. Cohen’s biggest shocker? Dropping Ryan Rubrik from his top 15 after a season marred by injury and a troubling lack of competitive fire revealed during the combine. This isn’t just a ranking shift—it’s a red flag for teams considering first-round risks. Meanwhile, Alexander Command rockets from 30th to 16th, and Ryan Lynn climbs to 12th, both due to physical development and on-ice promise, though Lynn’s turnovers remain a major concern. The Flyers’ draft dilemma deepens: with a surplus of centers at 21, they could pivot to defensemen like Tommy Blyle or William Hawkinson—both now ranked for the first time—offering a safe, high-floor pick. But Cohen warns that trading up for elite talent like Caleb Malhotra or a skilled defenseman would require unsustainable assets. The episode also debunks the myth of forced positional drafting, emphasizing that player preference and development fit matter more than board positions. Ultimately, the Flyers may pass on flashy reaches and instead build through patience, consistency, and a focus on character—proving that in the draft, the smartest move isn’t always the loudest.
Ryan Rubrik fell from #13 to outside the top 15 due to injury, limited combine performance, and a lack of competitive fire—making him a first-round risk no GM should take.
Alexander Command’s rise from #30 to #16 is driven by elite offensive tools and a strong combine showing, making him a top-20 prospect.
Ryan Lynn climbed to #12 after a visible physical transformation and improved offensive instincts, but his high turnover rate remains a red flag for top-10 teams.
Tommy Blyle and William Hawkinson made their first appearance in Cohen’s final rankings, with Hawkinson emerging as a safe, high-floor defenseman likely to go in the first 25.
The Flyers may pass on reaching for OHL-heavy, high-risk picks like Rubrik or Klepov, favoring players with better development fit and character over raw size or pedigree.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Flyers News & Draft Context
The episode opens with updates on Zaid Wisdom’s two-year AHL deal with the Phantoms, the announcement of the Flyers’ public Dev Camp event at the Franklin Institute, and the hiring of Peter Laviolette by the LA Kings—raising questions about Bruce Cassidy’s coaching prospects.
Draft Consensus & Early Picks
Cohen analyzes the growing consensus around the top of the 2026 NHL Draft, noting agreement on the first pick but uncertainty beyond that. He questions the Canucks’ potential selection of Caleb Malhotra due to legacy bias and highlights Viggo Bork as a rare small player with top-10 potential.
The 21st Pick Dilemma
Cohen discusses the strategic value of the Flyers’ 21st pick, emphasizing that it’s a high-variability slot with 8–10 viable players. He warns against overvaluing positionality and stresses that history shows the Flyers often pass on such picks—making it a prime opportunity for a surprise selection.
Ryan Rubrik’s Fall from Grace
“For me, that then made me not want to take the risk on him in the first round. He's still a big guy. He still has a great shot. But now... if I'm like an NHL GM, I can't spend a first round pick on him if I have two seconds.”
Rising Stars & Draft Strategy
Cohen praises Alexander Command’s rise and Ryan Lynn’s physical development, while highlighting Tommy Blyle and William Hawkinson as new additions to his first-round list. He warns that Lynn’s turnovers and Blyle’s height could limit his upside, but both are safe picks.
“You don't want to get a player who doesn't want to change into what you want to change him into.”
“And so like for me, that then made me not want to take the risk on him in the first round. He's still a big guy. He still has a great shot. But now... if i'm like an nhl gm i can't spend a first round pick on him if i have two seconds”
“I just feel like this is genuine for hits. Like, again, I could make a lot more money if I wanted to really game the system. And I just have never been interested in doing that.”
Hosts
Russ Cohen
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Rachel Donner
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Ryan Rubrik
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Zaid Wisdom
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Ryan Lynn
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Bruce Cassidy
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William Hawkinson
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Peter Laviolette
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Xavier Villeneuve
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Tommy Blyle
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