The Flyers closed out their fifth round by selecting their first forward of this draft so far, picking up center KJ Sauer out of the Minnesota high school system.
🔶 WELCOME TO PHILLY! 🔶
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 27, 2026
With the 136th overall pick in the 2026 #NHLDraft, we are proud to select forward KJ Sauer. pic.twitter.com/RXVpZVbVEv
Sauer is a bit of a weird case, having missed much of this season with injury — and looking like he was still feeling some lingering effects even when he was able to get back into the lineup. His production popped a bit, with eight goals and 25 points in 15 games at the high school level, and five points recorded in a five-game stint with Lincoln of the USHL. It was a nice bit of flash over a limited sample size, to be sure, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight what brings him in line with much of this draft’s ethos so far: his is big (6’3 and change and 203 pounds) and an absolute bruiser.
For a little more on his game, we’ll again visit the Elite Prospects Draft Guide:
“One of just a few Minnesota high school players to earn a ranking this year, KJ Sauer remains a bit of a mystery box as a project. As a scouting team, we feel confident in our assessment of the tools in Sauer’s game, but it remains unclear to what level they’ll ascend.
Across both leagues, he played just 20 total regular-season games – 15 in high school and five in the USHL. Sauer battled injury all year long, which delayed and significantly shortened his time with Andover High School. Still, he returned and led them to a state tournament appearance before leaving for the Lincoln Stars.
Even amidst the limited viewings, it’s pretty clear the type of game Sauer brings. He’s a violent checking forward with a net front game, size, and developing athleticism. Sauer finished some of the biggest hits we saw in the USHL this year from draft-eligible players, demolishing players both in open ice and along the wall. The checking mechanics are pretty advanced – stick on puck, timing angles, and finishing violently through the body. Sauer flashed handling ability at the high school level, too, using his extended reach and range of motion to make plays around the body.
His skating varied dramatically between viewings, potentially a sign of lingering injuries. Sauer took time to ramp his skating ability up to standard in the USHL after his high school stint, but eventually found his footing. However, his handling and offensive moments drastically faded into the background, simplifying his projection.
Sauer likely projects as a high-end AHL checker with fourth-line upside, if things go right. There’s a bit of value in the unknown with him, and he could be a potential riser if his tools elevate in a full-time WHL situation. He recently signed an agreement with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings, a strong landing spot for at least one season.”
There’s a theme emerging with these last few picks — beyond the obvious size emphasis — in the Flyers taking some shots on unknowns or potential upside picks. Sauer is interesting for the extra potential that he could continue to grow and make his game more cohesive over a full and healthy season, but he’s going to be a longer-term project for this organization. All the same, not a bad shot to take on a fifth round pick.
