Thursday, October 1, 2026
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The Philadelphia Flyers entered the 2026 NHL Draft with the 21st overall pick, but General Manager Danny Briere and the front office decided to move down the board. While on the clock, Philadelphia completed a trade with the San Jose Sharks, acquiring the 27th, 62nd, and 120th overall picks in this year's draft.
After moving back six spots, the Flyers selected defenseman Maksim Sokolovskii with the 27th overall pick. The 6-foot-7 blueliner spent the 2025-26 season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League and is viewed as a player with significant upside due to his size and continued development.
Speaking after being drafted, Sokolovskii described himself as a defenseman who plays a big, physical game. The Russian defenseman also expressed his excitement about joining the Flyers organization and beginning the next chapter of his hockey career.
Sokolovskii's combination of size and physicality immediately stands out. At 6-foot-7, he has the reach to defend against opposing forwards and the frame to play a tough style of hockey. During his time with the London Knights, he continued to improve his all-around game while developing against some of the top junior talent in Canada.
Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere highlighted Sokolovskii's growth when discussing the selection.
"The progression that we saw this season leads us to believe he will make it to the NHL now," Briere said.
That progression was evident throughout the season. Sokolovskii recorded 8 goals and 24 assists for 32 points in 66 regular-season games with the Knights while playing an important role on one of the OHL's strongest teams. His offensive production, combined with his defensive presence, helped elevate his draft stock heading into the NHL Draft.
For the Flyers, the move accomplished two goals. Philadelphia was able to add additional draft assets by trading down while still selecting a player the organization clearly valued. The extra second-round and fourth-round selections also give the Flyers more opportunities to add talent as they continue building their prospect pool.
While Sokolovskii may require additional development before reaching the NHL, the Flyers believe his size, physical style, and growth trajectory give him the potential to become an impactful defenseman at the professional level. With another promising prospect now in the system, Philadelphia added both future draft capital and a player they hope can become part of their long-term plans on the blue line.
