Florida Panthers Top 10 Players 23 and Under
May 26, 2021 12:42:12 GMT -5
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Post by Florida Panthers on May 26, 2021 12:42:12 GMT -5
After a trade deadline that saw Florida add multiple young assets(and trade some away), we’re going to take a look at the top 10 players aged 23 and under that are currently in the Panthers system.
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Honorable mentions:
Shane Pinto
Tobias Bjornfot
Jacob Perreault
Tyson Foerster
Jakob Pelletier
Liam Foudy
And there you have it, a deep system of youth that will get even deeper with possible top 3 and top 15 picks in the upcoming draft. There are players that didn’t make the top 10 that could make an argument to be in it, it really all comes down to personal preference. Thanks for reading and give us your opinion on how you would rank this list, who’s too high, who’s too low, or who got snubbed! Cheers!
1. Martin Necas - 22 years old, Centre/Left Wing, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
After a solid rookie season in the NHL, Necas took another step forward this season and put up 41 points in 53 games. His points per 60 was just under the elite level, making us think he still has another gear to reach. He’s currently a favourite to win the calder trophy for VHL rookie of the year with 51 points in 74 games. On a terrible Florida Panthers team that’s an impressive feat. There’s potential for him to reach elite playmaker territory, and he’s already pretty damn close to it which is why he’s number 1 on this list.
2. Cole Perfetti - 19 years old, Centre, Manitoba Moose (AHL)
There’s an argument for Perfetti to be number 1 on this list based purely on potential alone. His extremely high IQ, along with elite playmaking and scoring will have any GM drooling. But we’re heavily taking into account what players have done at the NHL level, which Perfetti hasn’t reached just quite yet. He is having a very impressive season in the AHL though with 26 points in 32 games, even more impressive if you take his slow start into his account! Not bad for an “undersized” 19 year old. If he reaches his potential he will be the Panthers number one centre for a long, long time.
3. Oliver Wahlstrom - 20 years old, Right Wing, New York Islanders (NHL)
A newly acquired prospect, Oliver Wahlstrom comes in at number 3 on this list. A year ago things may have been different but Wahlstrom has impressed in his first NHL season, with 21 points in 44 games while mostly playing 3rd and 4th line minutes. Wahlstrom comes with one hell of a shot and will be making an impact in the VHL next season. Look out, Wahlstrom from Necas and Perfetti could be on the scoresheet in the near future.
4. Drake Batherson - 23 years old, Right Wing, Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Getting Batherson as a free prospect add may be one of GM Rensby-Wills best value moves. Batherson, drafted in the fourth round in the NHL in 2017, has been on an upward trajectory since hearing his name called on draft day. In his first full NHL season he was a key piece in the Sens top 6, putting up 34 points in 56 games. That number should climb as the Senators become a stronger all around team. There are nights where Batherson dominates and dictates the game, and then there are nights where you don’t notice him at all. If he can find that consistency he could become close to a point per game player.
5. Seth Jarvis - 19 years old, Centre/Right Wing, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Now this is where the list starts to get tough, deciding who goes where is a challenge. Jarvis takes the 5th spot due to his immense potential and his fantastic play in the AHL, where he put up 11 points in 9 games. His point totals in the WHL after being sent down leave a bit to be desired (27 points in 24 games) but word is he’s been working more on his all around game. A speedy, undersized player, Jarvis is not afraid to go to the dirty areas and get things done. He will score you a highlight reel goal and then bury a dirty rebound 2 minutes later. His upside is enormous and his play style seems to adapt to the professional game fairly well. A Carolina prospect in the NHL, his road to the big leagues may take longer than others due to the amount of talent ahead of him on the depth chart.
6. Dante Fabbro - 22 years old, Defence, Nashville Predators (NHL)
Fabbro finished his second pro season with 12 points in 40 games while playing a top 4 role a majority of the time. Breaking into Nasvhilles top 4 is no easy task but Fabbro has made it look easy at times. He’s a sound two way d man with some untapped offensive potential that he showed in the NCAA. He’s more than likely going to be a 2nd pairing d man that gets some PP and PK time but with Nashvilles core getting older and older he may get opportunities to get those top pair, pp and pk minutes. It will be interesting to see if he can step his game up to that next level.
7. Alexander Romanov - 21 years old, Defence, Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Probably our highest anticipated prospect going into this season, Romanov delivered! Maybe not on the stat sheet, with 6 points in 54 games, but in overall play he did not look out of place in a top 4 role in Montreal. With 138 hits and 60 blocks he proved he is a strong defensive player, now we just need to see more of that offence we get flashes of. With more experience he will get more comfortable making plays.. Word is he was being shopped a bit before the deadline but expect Romanov to stay a Panther, for a long, long time.
8. Jesperi Kotkaniemi - 20 years old, Centre, Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Another deadline acquisition by the Panthers, Kotkaniemi has been a little underwhelming since his rookie season where he burst onto the scene with 34 points in 79 games. With 20 points in 56 games this season, he has seen a slight increase in ice time but not huge jump. One thing Kotkaniemi has added to his tool box is more physicality, he had 84 hits this season, and his face-off percentage has seen a small improvement. There’s still immense potential with KK, he’s shown flashes of incredible playmaking. If he’s given an opportunity in the top 6 with legit wingers, we think he can finally flourish.
9. Evan Bouchard - 21 years old, Defence, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
One of our favourite prospects, Evan Bouchard showed he belonged in the NHL this season but his coach saw otherwise. With only 14 games played you worry a bit about his development, but when he did see ice time he looked great so maybe there shouldn’t be too many worries. His offensive tools, specifically his shot, are elite. His defence could use some work but you’re not going to use him to be a shut down guy, he’s the guy you give plenty of offensive zone starts to and you hand him the reigns to your power play. Often times he will make passes that make you say, how did he do that? But alas he spent too much time in the press box this year so we are tempering our expectations slightly….slightly! I expect him to catapult up this list once he’s given a real look in Edmontons top 4 and on the top power play unit. Look for him to be the quarterback for the Oilers(NHL) and Panthers(VHL) power play long term.
10. Dillon Dube - 22 years old, Centre/Wing, Calgary Flames (NHL)
Acquired in the Duncan Keith trade with Tampa a couple seasons back, Dube had a solid 3rd season in the NHL putting up 22 points in 51 games. Getting some top 6 time, he was looking good until the coaching change in Calgary happened. After Sutter took control of coaching Dube saw his ice time drop and was even a healthy scratch at times. He’s still very young and with some more changes coming to Calgary, we’re really hoping he gains a permanent role in that top 6. Long term we see him more as a middle 6 guy who does a bit of everything and can plug into the top line when needed. A natural born leader, Dube could be a guy that’ll be wearing a letter in Florida’s future.
Honorable mentions:
Shane Pinto
Tobias Bjornfot
Jacob Perreault
Tyson Foerster
Jakob Pelletier
Liam Foudy
And there you have it, a deep system of youth that will get even deeper with possible top 3 and top 15 picks in the upcoming draft. There are players that didn’t make the top 10 that could make an argument to be in it, it really all comes down to personal preference. Thanks for reading and give us your opinion on how you would rank this list, who’s too high, who’s too low, or who got snubbed! Cheers!
