Post Draft - HFNHL Panthers Top 20 Prospects

Brock

Registered User
Feb 27, 2002
12,196
3,628
The GTA
ohlprospects.blogspot.com
The 2019 HFNHL Entry Draft was completed recently, so that means it is time to re-evaluate the Florida Panthers Top 20 Prospect list.

1. Cale Makar (1)

Hobey Baker winner and one of the top young defenders on the planet. Signed his NHL deal and was a standout in the playoffs. Comes into next year in the NHL as one of the top candidates for the Calder. Can't wait until he can be a part of my HFNHL franchise in the near future.

2. Jordan Kyrou (2)
While he was not able to break into the lineup full time in St. Louis last year, he was fantastic in the AHL where he was near the point per game mark. His first pro season had to be considered a success. Let's see what adjustments he can make and whether he can be a full time NHL player next year.

3. Trevor Zegras (new)
One of two first round draft picks by Florida this year, Zegras breaks into the list and the organization has very high expectations for his future. He'll be attending Boston University next year and should be one of the top freshmen in the country.

4. Moritz Seider (new)
Another of the Panthers' first rounders this year, Seider was a surprise 6th overall pick in the NHL this year. He could return to the DEL next year, although part of me hopes that Detroit wants him in Owen Sound so that I can keep a closer eye on him. Rugged future top 4 defender and perhaps a future partner for Cale Makar.

5. Ryan Donato (4)
A trade to Minnesota in the NHL really elevated his play and has him back on track as a future top 6 forward. Looks likely to continue as a top offensive option for the Wild next year and could have a breakout season.

6. K'Andre Miller (5)
Miller had a fantastic freshmen season with Wisconsin this past year where he was among the best first year defenders in the NCAA. The boost in offensive production is extremely encouraging. Look forward to what he can do this year with a much better team around him (Wisconsin has one of the top recruiting classes in the NCAA).

7. Dennis Cholowski (3)
Falls a little bit, but more so because others had better seasons and because of new 2019 draft picks. Had an up and down first pro season that saw him start off extremely well with Detroit in the NHL. But he finished the year in the AHL after hitting a wall. Will need to continue to refine his play at both ends but definitely looks like a future top 4 defender.

8. Ty Dellandrea (6)

Flint was a huge disappointment this year in the OHL and as such, Dellandrea may not have had the year that I had expected from him. But I expect a massive jump this year where he establishes himself as a premier prospect and a core member of the Canadian WJC team.

9. Tyler Madden (18)
Few prospects in the NHL have risen the way that Madden has. Was a breakout star at this year's WJC's and had a terrific freshmen season in the NCAA with Northestern. Has proven to be so much more skilled than many had anticipated and really looks like a surefire NHL player.

10. Liam Foudy (7)
Speedy, athletic forward with London who had an up and down draft +1 season. But he should explode this year and live up to his high NHL draft position. Going to be an NHL player, just a matter of whether he's Jason Chimera or a top 6 player.

11. Cayden Primeau (15)
On a team with so many solid goaltending prospects, Primeau has emerged as the best at this current moment. Primeau was the top goaltender in the NCAA this past season and even got a cup of coffee with the U.S. at the World Championships. Signed with Montreal, he could be on the fast track soon to be Carey Price's backup.

12. Jacob Bernard Docker (8)
Solid two-way defender who had a very good freshmen season with North Dakota in the NCAA. Will return for his sophomore year and could put up some nice numbers. A likely member of Canada's WJC team this coming year.

13. Alex Barre Boulet (11)

AHL rookie of the year after leading the league in goal scoring. Yes he's undersized, but the pro game has proven to be relatively easy for him so far. Wonder how long it is before he gets a serious look in Tampa Bay?

14. Michael Dipietro (9)
Perhaps not Dipietro's best year. The second half was a challenge for him after a disastrous NHL emergency recall debut, and some injuries in the OHL. But we remain confident in Dipietro as he starts his pro journey this season.

15. Trent Frederic (10)
Back and forth between the NHL and the AHL in his first full pro season. The former first round pick in Boston may not have elite NHL potential, but could still easily develop into HFNHL Florida's 3rd line center of the future.

16. Martin Fehervary (HM)
Very busy player this year as he saw regular time in the SHL, played at the World Juniors and the World Championships. Will play in NA next year and is the type of defender who should move quickly through NHL Washington’s system.

17. Alex Nedeljkovic (16)
It feels like Nedeljkovic has been part of this list for ages after being a second round pick of the HFNHL Panthers some time ago. But he’s improved every year in the AHL and was AHL goaltender of the year and an AHL Champion this year. Would seem like he is a sure bet to be in the NHL next year as one of Carolina’s two netminders. Proves why patience is key for developing netminders.

18. Dmitri Samorukov (HM)
Exploded in the second half after a very strong World Junior Championship. In the second half, he emerged as one of the OHL’s top defenders and helped to lead Guelph to a Championship and an appearance at the Memorial Cup. I know NHL Edmonton brass are very high on him. With a strong start to his pro career next year, he could rocket up this list even further.

19. Nick Robertson (new)
A high second rounder of the HFNHL Panthers this year, Robertson is physically immature, but possesses some of the highest individual skill level of anyone on this list. This pick is reminiscent of when we took Jordan Kyrou in the second a few years ago and that worked out pretty well for us so far.

20. Jake Evans (12)
A former highly touted NCAA player, Evans is another guy who has been an HFNHL Florida prospect for quite some time. But he had a very strong first year in the AHL on a weaker Laval team. Could be in the mix as the 4th line center for NHL Montreal next year and will eventually battled Trent Frederic for that 3/4 center job in HFNHL Florida.

Honorable Mentions:
Scott Perunovich (13)
Colton Point (14)
Wade Allison (17)
Brett Seney (19)
Jordy Bellerive (HM)
Nikita Alexandrov (new)
Joey Keane (HM)
Jakc Rathbone (HM)
Jack McBain (HM)
Kirill Maksimov (HM)
Nate Schnarr (HM)
Trey Fix Wolansky (new)
Josef Korenar (new)
 

Ohio Jones

Game on...
Feb 28, 2002
8,257
201
Great White North
Scary that Nick Robertson finds himself all the way down at 18. And I think Alexandrov will force his way into your top 20 next year, possibly top 15.

That blueline looks impressive, with Makar, Seider and Miller all looking like great ELC fodder over the coming seasons.
 

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