Brock
Registered User
The 2018 HFNHL Draft is complete, which means it is time to re-do the Panthers Top 20 Prospect list.
Florida has a lot of graduations from the previous list: Jesper Bratt, Mark Jankowski, Denis Malgin, Matt Grzelcyk, and Vince Hinostroza.
Here's the updated Top 20.
1. Cale Makar (New)
Acquired as part of a blockbuster prospect deal that sent out Vesalainen and Adam Fox, Makar is the dynamic, bluechip prospect that the Panthers had been searching for. Heading back to UMass this year where he can hopefully establish himself as one of the better prospects in the NHL.
2. Jordan Kyrou (2)
Kyrou will be turning pro this year. The dynamic offensive star will have a chance to crack the NHL's Blues, but more than likely will need at least a half a season's worth of seasoning in the AHL.
3. Travis Dermott (9)
Has emerged as a terrific young defender in the Leafs' system. Earned full time minutes with the pro club the second half, but will remain on Florida's prospect list this year. Should be a candidate to play top 4 minutes for Toronto this season.
4. Kiefer Bellows (6)
Had a terrific year, breaking records at the World Junior championships and scoring goals with Portland of the WHL. One of the better goal scoring prospects around. Hopefully he can be Barzal's right hand man in Long Island soon.
5. Ryan Donato (10)
Another prospect who had a sensational year. Terrific NCAA season. Was one of the better U.S. players at the Olympics. And then after signing, starred for the Boston Bruins down the stretch. Haven't really developed a top 6 center since Mike Richards, so here's hoping it can be Donato.
6. K'Andre Miller (New)
The club's first rounder this year, Miller is a raw, athletic defender who I think ends up going to the WHL this year (just a hunch). Probably a long term project, but I like the upside.
7. Liam Foudy (New)
One of the draft's bigger risers this year, Foudy is a dynamic skating forward who is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of in London. The Knights sure can develop players.
8. Trent Frederic (11)
Had an up and down second season in the NCAA at Wisconsin. But the Bruins' prospect turned pro and was quite good in limited action in the AHL. Frederic is a big, power center who has a chance of developing into a solid second line center.
9. Dennis Cholowski (12)
Smooth skating defender who had an excellent year in the AHL after turning pro, finishing as one of the league's higher scoring blueliners. Turns pro this year and will likely need a year or two at the AHL level before we know his true potential.
10. Wade Allison (8)
Was leading the NCAA in scoring as a sophomore at Western Michigan before tearing his knee half way through the year. Have high hopes for him to return to the level of play he was at before.
11. Jacob Bernard Docker (New)
Another high pick of the Panthers at this year's draft, Bernard Docker will be heading to North Dakota of the NCAA next year. He was a first rounder of Ottawa at the NHL draft and just how high his potential is remains to be seen.
12. Michael Dipietro (14)
A favourite of mine, Dipietro is coming off another solid season in the OHL where he backstopped a weak Windsor team to the playoffs. He's without question one of the top goalies in the CHL and could be the top one next year with the graduation of Carter Hart. Likely Canada's starter at next year's WJC's.
13. Colton Point (17)
Really had a breakout year with Colgate as a sophomore, establishing himself as one of the NCAA's top goaltenders and earned a spot on Canada's WJC team. Returns to Colgate next year and hopefully he can replicate his success.
14. Jake Evans (13)
A prospect that I have had to be very patient with after drafting him out of Junior A. But Evans had a terrific NCAA career at Notre Dame and now begins his pro journey in Montreal where he has a chance to earn a roster spot immediately with their lack of center depth.
15. Scott Perunovich (New)
Talented offensive blueliner who was a standout at the World Juniors this year with team USA and had a fantastic freshmen season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth this year. The recent draft pick returns to college this year where he hopefully becomes one of the NCAA's top defenders.
16. Alex Nedeljkovic (16)
Kind of the forgotten about prospect, but the former high pick had a great second pro season after a rough first one. He led the AHL in wins and appears to be back on track to becoming an NHL netminder.
17. Cayden Primeau (20)
Another breakout prospect performance came from Primeau, who stole the starting job at Northeastern as a freshmen and became one of the NCAA's best goaltenders. Likely the starter for team USA at next year's WJC's. A battle of Dipietro and Primeau will ensue.
18. Samuel Blais (15)
Established himself as a solid prospect last year after a great rookie AHL season and built upon that this year, averaging nearly a point per game in the AHL and earning an NHL call-up. Looks like a candidate to become a very good 3rd line NHL player as early as next season.
19. Jordy Bellerive (HM)
A personal favourite of mine. Undrafted in the NHL, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. But exploded in the WHL this year as the captain of the Lethbridge Hurricanes. As a '99, he was one of the league's higher scoring players and one of the best players in the post season. Could be a candidate to lead the WHL in scoring next year and really put his name on the map. Was badly burned in a fire recently though, but will apparently make a full recovery.
20. Jack McBain (New)
Could have went a variety of directions at #20, but decided on recent draft pick Jack McBain. The large center underperformed in Junior A this year, but with better players and a new challenge next year at Boston College, I'm really hoping he develops well.
Honorable Mentions:
Olof Lindbom (New)
Martin Fehervary (New)
Joey Keane (New)
Grant Mismash (19)
Nolan Stevens (HM)
Florida has a lot of graduations from the previous list: Jesper Bratt, Mark Jankowski, Denis Malgin, Matt Grzelcyk, and Vince Hinostroza.
Here's the updated Top 20.
1. Cale Makar (New)
Acquired as part of a blockbuster prospect deal that sent out Vesalainen and Adam Fox, Makar is the dynamic, bluechip prospect that the Panthers had been searching for. Heading back to UMass this year where he can hopefully establish himself as one of the better prospects in the NHL.
2. Jordan Kyrou (2)
Kyrou will be turning pro this year. The dynamic offensive star will have a chance to crack the NHL's Blues, but more than likely will need at least a half a season's worth of seasoning in the AHL.
3. Travis Dermott (9)
Has emerged as a terrific young defender in the Leafs' system. Earned full time minutes with the pro club the second half, but will remain on Florida's prospect list this year. Should be a candidate to play top 4 minutes for Toronto this season.
4. Kiefer Bellows (6)
Had a terrific year, breaking records at the World Junior championships and scoring goals with Portland of the WHL. One of the better goal scoring prospects around. Hopefully he can be Barzal's right hand man in Long Island soon.
5. Ryan Donato (10)
Another prospect who had a sensational year. Terrific NCAA season. Was one of the better U.S. players at the Olympics. And then after signing, starred for the Boston Bruins down the stretch. Haven't really developed a top 6 center since Mike Richards, so here's hoping it can be Donato.
6. K'Andre Miller (New)
The club's first rounder this year, Miller is a raw, athletic defender who I think ends up going to the WHL this year (just a hunch). Probably a long term project, but I like the upside.
7. Liam Foudy (New)
One of the draft's bigger risers this year, Foudy is a dynamic skating forward who is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of in London. The Knights sure can develop players.
8. Trent Frederic (11)
Had an up and down second season in the NCAA at Wisconsin. But the Bruins' prospect turned pro and was quite good in limited action in the AHL. Frederic is a big, power center who has a chance of developing into a solid second line center.
9. Dennis Cholowski (12)
Smooth skating defender who had an excellent year in the AHL after turning pro, finishing as one of the league's higher scoring blueliners. Turns pro this year and will likely need a year or two at the AHL level before we know his true potential.
10. Wade Allison (8)
Was leading the NCAA in scoring as a sophomore at Western Michigan before tearing his knee half way through the year. Have high hopes for him to return to the level of play he was at before.
11. Jacob Bernard Docker (New)
Another high pick of the Panthers at this year's draft, Bernard Docker will be heading to North Dakota of the NCAA next year. He was a first rounder of Ottawa at the NHL draft and just how high his potential is remains to be seen.
12. Michael Dipietro (14)
A favourite of mine, Dipietro is coming off another solid season in the OHL where he backstopped a weak Windsor team to the playoffs. He's without question one of the top goalies in the CHL and could be the top one next year with the graduation of Carter Hart. Likely Canada's starter at next year's WJC's.
13. Colton Point (17)
Really had a breakout year with Colgate as a sophomore, establishing himself as one of the NCAA's top goaltenders and earned a spot on Canada's WJC team. Returns to Colgate next year and hopefully he can replicate his success.
14. Jake Evans (13)
A prospect that I have had to be very patient with after drafting him out of Junior A. But Evans had a terrific NCAA career at Notre Dame and now begins his pro journey in Montreal where he has a chance to earn a roster spot immediately with their lack of center depth.
15. Scott Perunovich (New)
Talented offensive blueliner who was a standout at the World Juniors this year with team USA and had a fantastic freshmen season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth this year. The recent draft pick returns to college this year where he hopefully becomes one of the NCAA's top defenders.
16. Alex Nedeljkovic (16)
Kind of the forgotten about prospect, but the former high pick had a great second pro season after a rough first one. He led the AHL in wins and appears to be back on track to becoming an NHL netminder.
17. Cayden Primeau (20)
Another breakout prospect performance came from Primeau, who stole the starting job at Northeastern as a freshmen and became one of the NCAA's best goaltenders. Likely the starter for team USA at next year's WJC's. A battle of Dipietro and Primeau will ensue.
18. Samuel Blais (15)
Established himself as a solid prospect last year after a great rookie AHL season and built upon that this year, averaging nearly a point per game in the AHL and earning an NHL call-up. Looks like a candidate to become a very good 3rd line NHL player as early as next season.
19. Jordy Bellerive (HM)
A personal favourite of mine. Undrafted in the NHL, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. But exploded in the WHL this year as the captain of the Lethbridge Hurricanes. As a '99, he was one of the league's higher scoring players and one of the best players in the post season. Could be a candidate to lead the WHL in scoring next year and really put his name on the map. Was badly burned in a fire recently though, but will apparently make a full recovery.
20. Jack McBain (New)
Could have went a variety of directions at #20, but decided on recent draft pick Jack McBain. The large center underperformed in Junior A this year, but with better players and a new challenge next year at Boston College, I'm really hoping he develops well.
Honorable Mentions:
Olof Lindbom (New)
Martin Fehervary (New)
Joey Keane (New)
Grant Mismash (19)
Nolan Stevens (HM)
