The Flyers should strongly consider drafting Ryan Lin if he’s available at pick 21. He’s a high-upside right-shot defenseman who fits what Philadelphia needs on the blue line, especially with the man advantage.
Who is Ryan Lin?
- Profile: 18-year-old (born April 18, 2008) Canadian defenseman from Richmond, BC. Plays for the Vancouver Giants (WHL). 5’11, while weighing 180 lbs, right-shot. Committed to University of Denver.
- 2025-26 season: 57 points (14G-43A) in 53 games — nearly a point-per-game pace as a captain and leading scorer for his team. Strong power-play contributor. Missed time with injury but bounced back impressively. chl.ca
- Rankings: NHL Central Scouting #16 among North American skaters. Other rankings put him in the 15-18 range — solidly mid-to-late first round.
Strengths and Scouting Profile
Lin is an offensive/transitional Defenseman with excellent skating, agility, puck skills, and decision-making. He excels at breaking out of his zone, leading rushes, and creating offense (end-to-end plays, power-play quarterback potential). Scouts compare him to players like Brandon Montour for his profile, with some higher-end upside mentions (Cale Makar-like flashes in highlights, though size is a factor).
He’s physical for his size, smart positionally, and has improved defensively. His athletic testing at the NHL Combine was strong (top-10 in several events). Lin started as a forward, which may contribute to his offensive instincts.
Potential Concerns
At 5’11, Lin’s not a big shutdown D. Some scouts note occasional defensive-zone inconsistencies, though his tools and compete level mitigate this. Smaller right-shot D have gained more acceptance league-wide.
Fit with the Flyers
The Flyers have a solid young core but could use more dynamic, puck-moving talent on defense to complement their current group. Lin projects as a potential top-4 right D with power-play upside — exactly the type of high-ceiling addition that could pay off in a few years. NBC Sports Philadelphia noted he’d be a “fine pick” at 21.
With that being said, the 2026 draft is deep on defensemen, and Lin could go earlier (top 15-18 range in mocks), but if he slides to the Flyers’ spot, it’s a strong value play.
Bottom Line
Lin has the tools, production, and pedigree to become a impactful NHL defenseman. Drafting him at 21 would be a smart, exciting move for Philly’s rebuild/ contention timeline. The draft is June 26-27 in Buffalo — worth watching closely.
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