Sharks trade up with Flyers to nab Ryan Lin

The San Jose Sharks aggressively moved up the board during the opening round of the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday, acquiring the 21st overall selection from the Philadelphia Flyers to draft Vancouver Giants defenseman Ryan Lin. To complete the trade, the Sharks sent the No. 27, No. 62, and No. 120 picks to Philadelphia.

Lin, 18, is coming off an outstanding season with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, recording 14 goals and 57 points in 53 games. Although the Giants finished last in their division, he emerged as one of the league’s top-performing defensemen. He was also ranked 16th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Listed at 5-foot-11 and 176 pounds, Lin was one of the few first-round defensive prospects under six feet tall. He has earned praise for his complete two-way game and his willingness to battle physically despite his size. He consistently disrupted opposing rushes with an active stick, smart positioning, and strong defensive awareness while also driving offense through elite puck control, quick decision-making, and accurate passing.

Lin’s offensive game stood out in the attacking zone, where his skating, evasiveness, rapid stickhandling, and heavy wrist shot made him a dangerous option from the blue line. His mobility and ability to move the puck out of pressure allowed him to dictate play and contribute on the power play.

Beyond the WHL, Lin also represented Canada internationally. He won gold medals at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge and the 2026 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, where he finished as the highest-scoring defenseman in the tournament. During the WHL season, he also assumed the Giants’ captaincy after the trade deadline.

Lin has committed to the University of Denver for the 2026-27 season, where he will continue his development at the NCAA level. He joins the defending national champions after proving himself as one of the best defense prospects in this year’s draft class.

Meanwhile, the Flyers used the 27th overall selection acquired in the trade to draft defenseman Maksim Sokolovskii.

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