Briere explains Flyers’ high-upside gamble on 6'7" Sokolovskii
GM Danny Briere reveals why Philadelphia rolled the dice on a raw but massive defensive prospect whose ceiling could reshape the blue line.
The Philadelphia Flyers rolled the dice at the 2026 NHL Draft, selecting 6-foot-7 defenseman Maksim Sokolovskii 27th overall. GM Danny Briere framed the move as a high-upside gamble on elite size, physicality, and a mean streak that could redefine the blue line if development clicks. Sokolovskii, a product of the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League, brings a rare blend of height, reach, and edge to the Flyers’ prospect pool.
