Flyers’ Top 10 Prospects: 2026-27 Preseason Edition

Martone is the Flyers’ only prospect I can confidently say has a superstar—or even a star—outlook. He never dropped below No. 3 on my personal board for the 2025 class, but he ended up going sixth overall. Today, he has a case as the No. 2 prospect in the class. He should have a very special career.

2. Egor Zavragin, G, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)

Goaltender Egor Zavragin has been a favorite of mine for a while now, and he comes in at No. 2 on this list once again. His workload in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) was underwhelming last season, only appearing in 12 contests, but he put up a .919 save percentage and 2.63 goals-against average when he did suit up.

Zavragin joins a new club, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, in 2026-27, which should hopefully make better use of his services. The 21-year-old netminder is athletic, consistently making highlight-reel saves. This will be a big season for him.

3. Alex Bump, LW, Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)

Next is Alex Bump, who I still consider to be a prospect despite suiting up for 23 total games with the Flyers last season. He scored seven goals with the club and showed flashes of play-driving in a very limited role, so there could be a bright NHL future here.

The Flyers’ winger group is deep again in 2026-27, so Bump may have trouble climbing up the depth chart—he may even be a healthy scratch at points. Long-term, the 22-year-old could be a middle-six option.

4. Jack Berglund, C, Färjestad BK (SHL)

Jack Berglund is returning to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for 2026-27, but he endeared himself to Flyers fans after an impressive showing at the 2026 World Junior Championship.

While the 2024 second-round pick still isn’t the greatest skater, his physicality and two-way impact are strengths. He’s arguably the best center prospect in the organization. If an ice-time boost awaits him with Färjestad BK, there’s breakout potential with him in the points department. He recorded 12 (seven of them goals) in 40 games last season.

5. Jack Murtagh, LW, Boston University (NCAA)

I’ve been all over the place with Jack Murtagh, a second-round pick from the 2025 class. I considered him to be a top-25 talent that year, but he only had 11 points in 34 games as a freshman with Boston University, so he fell down my rankings last season. There’s reason to believe, however, that a breakout is coming.

Murtagh will have more talent around him, potentially being centered by 2026 third-overall pick Caleb Malhotra, and Boston University is due for a bounce-back after a difficult season. The 19-year-old power forward impressed me too much during the draft process for me to give up on him after one year.

6. Oliver Bonk, RD, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

Oliver Bonk is being listed as a member of the American Hockey League (AHL) Lehigh Valley Phantoms here, but he is a contender for the Flyers’ roster. Their right-side slot on the bottom pairing is there for the taking, and Bonk showed enough in very limited action with the Orange and Black to inspire belief that he’ll play NHL minutes.

Bonk’s 67-point regular season as a draft-plus-one prospect in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) may have set the wrong expectations. He’s more of a two-way defender who could be a long-term No. 5 option—akin to Rasmus Ristolainen, just with a different play style.

7. Jett Luchanko, C, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

We’re nearing make-or-break territory for Jett Luchanko. The 20-year-old center had nine goals and 41 assists in 48 OHL games across the regular season and the playoffs, which is disappointing for a draft-plus-two prospect taken 13^th overall. However, he’s far from a bad player.

Luchanko still has the potential to be a two-way middle-six center for the Orange and Black. Playing with the AHL’s Phantoms could be a nice change of pace for him, but fans will be keeping a closer eye on him in 2026-27 now that he’s done with junior hockey.

8. Jack Nesbitt, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Jack Nesbitt was ranked ninth on prospect guru Corey Pronman’s re-draft for the 2025 class, so the 19-year-old center has plenty of believers still (from ‘2025 NHL re-draft: Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, Porter Martone lead the class,’ The Athletic, Aug. 24, 2026). Unfortunately, my viewings of the 12^th-overall selection weren’t as promising.

As is the case with Luchanko, I think moving up a level to the University of Michigan can help Nesbitt. He has power forward elements in his game, but taking those to the next level will be key. He had 68 points in as many games with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires last season.

9. Maksim Sokolovskii, LD, London Knights (OHL)

Between the 2023 and 2026 draft classes, the Flyers spent five first-round picks to land Bonk (No. 22), Luchanko (No. 13), Nesbitt (Nos. 22 and 31), and most recently, Maksim Sokolovskii (No. 27). It’s disappointing that none of them are in my top five for this list, but perhaps I’m underrating the latter, who most fans seem to be high on.

Personally, I’m where I was on draft day. Sokolovskii was another controversial pick for Brière and his staff, but it’d be unfair to compare him to Luchanko and Nesbitt. The 6-foot-8, 240-pound defender is an impressive skater for his size and showcases two-way upside. We’ll see what this season brings.

10. Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State University (NCAA)

Last on my list is 2025 second-round pick Shane Vansaghi. He’s entering his junior season at Michigan State University after recording 11 points in 35 games as a sophomore and 16 points in 37 games as a freshman.

Vansaghi may never be a scoring machine, but there’s upside as a Jordan Martinook type: a big forward who doesn’t put up a lot of points as a prospect but becomes a reliable two-way guy in the NHL. For now, the 19-year-old will be looking to take the next step as a power winger.

Do you agree or disagree with these picks? Feel free to leave your thoughts below!