Florida Panthers maintain deep prospect pool despite substantial graduations

[HF Article]

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There have been several notable changes since the fall when the Florida Panthers last Top 20 list was compiled. Nick Bjugstad and Drew Shore have graduated, and Florida added high-potential center prospect Brandon Pirri at the trade deadline. Several players have begun getting extended opportunities in the NHL as the regular season winds down and the Panthers playoff hopes slip quietly to the side.



1. (2) Aleksander Barkov, C, 8.5C
Drafted 1st round, 2nd overall, 2013

Barkov's rookie year had been spectacular until a knee injury knocked him out of the Olympic games and ostensibly ended his season. Through his first 54 games with the Panthers, the youngest player in the NHL had become the team's top player and first-line center, and he had been playing the game like a veteran.… read more



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[ShootIt]

Nice write up!

 

[Acadmus]

on Matheson:

He is a solid, albeit quiet, leader on the ice, and has become one of Boston College's top defensemen. Last season, Matheson showed a propensity for poor choices in his own end, a problem he has corrected. His decision-making has shown solid improvement, and his choices between playing the body, playing the puck, and playing a positional defense have all improved so quickly that there is little doubt that he will adapt to professional play.

And here's a big part of why the draft can be a crap shoot.

 

[coopdaloop123]

Not on the list, but I was actually really surprised w/ how good Michael Downing looked during his freshman season at Michigan.

Also would love to see Matt Buckles get off the 4th line at Cornell, that coach is crazy.

 

[Brian Fogarty]

I agree with the Downing comment. He's a solid prospect. More mobile than I expected, smart in his own zone.

 

[Acadmus]

Interesting to see MacFarland may yet resurrect himself as a legit prospect this late in the game.

 

[Brian Fogarty]

Interesting to see MacFarland may yet resurrect himself as a legit prospect this late in the game.

Easily the best year he's had in hockey since his OHL draft year. He earned that spot with the Rampage by finally--FINALLY--playing hockey like it was more than just waiting to get the puck on a breakaway.

I contrast him with a guy like Zach Hyman. Both have the tools. Both didn't get the offensive roles they were hoping for. But Hyman worked extremely hard to become a really good defensive player in his first couple of years with the Wolverines and it's finally starting to pay off for him. It seems like it took McFarland a lot longer to get the notion that to make it as a pro you have to work harder in your own end than you do in offensive end, and then you'll start to get better opportunities on offense. I really hope he can keep that ball rolling because he certainly has the speed and hands to be effective if he's willing to do the work and pay the iron price (for all you GoT fans out there).