PhHN Daily: Flyers Splash; Marner Favorites; McKenna Decision

Well, Flyers fans, it has been quite the 24 hours, hasn’t it?

It was just about 24 hours ago that I was writing, “Trevor Zegras is once again on the trade block”, and now look where we are.

Yesterday was a funny day. My mother came to visit me, so I wrote my daily, got the backbone of an opinion story done, then said, “Let’s go sit on the beach for a few hours”. I mean, during a massive heatwave, the best place to be is by the water.

Well, anyway, I made it about three minutes before Elliotte Friedman dropped the bomb, and I had to pack everything up and head back home. Don’t think I’ve ever had such a short time on the beach!

Anyway, around the rest of the league, other big news flashed. There may be a clear-cut favorite for Mitch Marner. One draft expert released his final rankings for Friday’s draft, and a 2026 draft class phenom is reportedly down to two schools (We Are!).

All of that and then some comes on the 6/24 edition of the PhHN Daily.

Read More: PhHN Daily: NHL Draft Growing Closer; Conflicting Reports; Trade Targets

Philadelphia Flyers

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers did it. After what seemed like two-plus years of speculation and rumors, the Flyers have finally traded for Trevor Zegras. Is that a good thing? Is that a bad thing? Only time will tell. One thing is sure: Briere got away with a steal. Check out our initial reaction to Monday’s big news.

The Athletic ($): Scott Wheeler released his final mock draft of the year, and I am not so sure how Flyers fans will react. With both Jake O’Brien and James Hagens still on the board, Wheeler projects the Flyers to select… Brady Martin. Anyway, Wheeler mocks the first two rounds, in which the Flyers have six picks in the top 48, so make sure to check it out!

NHL Rumors and News

TSN: Bob McKenzie released his final draft rankings, which are typically fairly accurate. He, like many other experts, has the James Hagens slide in real time. It is an interesting list, but one that could shape out to represent the draft order very well. Here is the link to McKenzie’s rankings.

SportsNet: After Elliotte Friedman mentioned it on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, SportsNet is now reporting that the projected No. 1 pick in 2026, Gavin McKenna, has narrowed his NCAA decision to two schools. He will either join his Medicine Hat teammate, Cayden Lindstrom, at Michigan State or play for Guy Gadowski at Penn State.

Never in a million years did I expect Penn State to get a prospect like Jackson Smith. Now, being in conversations for Martone (who I doubt even goes NCAA anymore), Michael Misa, and now Gavin McKenna, Hockey Valley might be becoming a destination. Thank you, Mr. Pegula.

Vegas Hockey Now: There may be a team to beat in the Mitch Marner sweepstakes, which is funny, because that team does not even have the cap space to sign him. Anyway, Hannah Kirkell of Vegas Hockey Now breaks down the timeline linking the Golden Knights to Marner and explains how they have become the favorites.

Read More: Final Flyers Mock Draft: Mocking the Whole First Round

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