The 2015-16 NHL season is starting to come to a close, with every team in the league having less than 10 games remaining on their schedule. For players and coaches, it’s time to either prepare for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, or prepare for an offseason of rehab and training.
General managers and scouts, however, will have more on their minds. June 24, the date of the 2016 NHL Draft, is getting nearer and nearer, and soon, it will be time for front offices to make important decisions that will influence the future of their team.
Dale Tallon will be one such general manager, as the 65-year-old executive for the Florida Panthers will look to continue his transformation of the Panthers from struggling franchise to Stanley Cup contender. Tallon has done well in the five years that he’s been at the helm of the Panthers, and has drafted key pieces of the current roster, as well as pieces that could be important in the future.
For Part I, looking at some of the Panther’s key weaknesses, please click here.
Given that the Panthers are currently 7th in league standings, they’ll likely be picking from the 20-30 range in the first round of the 2016 Draft. Though it’s tough to find elite players at that range, there’s plenty of value to be gotten out of a player drafted 30th overall.
So what players should the Panthers look to draft with their first round selection? The team is already deep at center, and the system is starting to develop depth on the wings, and on defense.
Recent additions to the prospect pool such as Lawson Crouse, Dryden Hunt, Thomas Schemitsch, and the rumored Linus Hultström have bolstered the amount of talent available, and given the team plenty of flexibility to work with at the draft.
As of right now, the biggest need for Florida is at the goaltender position. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the position and the tough development curve that 18-year-olds sometimes experience, using a first round pick on a goaltender may not be the best option.
Instead, the Panthers can use their first round selection on either a winger or a defenseman, with the preference being on wingers, as the defensive pipeline is a little bit better than the winger pipeline at the moment.
With this in mind, here are four potential targets that Dale Tallon and his scouting staff may already have their eyes on as they prepare for June 24th.
Jake Bean
Scouting Report: “A shifty and intelligent defenceman that plays with panache and poise. An excellent skater that is a good puck-carrier up the ice. Makes very good decisions with and without the puck, and plays strong positionally. Works hard and doesn’t give the opposition much to work with, but could stand to be a bit more assertive during high pressure situations. That being said, he is not a one dimentional player. He displays natural talent in the offensive end, but also plays a complete defensive game in his own end. He has a proactive stick and boxes the opposition out, limiting lanes. All-in-all, the type of all-around defenceman that you want to have on the ice as much as possible. – Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects
Jake Bean was never drafted into the WHL, but has relentlessly worked on his play and improved year after year, shooting up the 2016 Draft rankings as a result. It’s always great to see a player like Bean battle against adversity and find success, and if the 6’1″ blue liner can continue to develop, he’ll turn into a very useful defender for whichever team drafts him.
Bean would be a great addition to the team’s prospect pool, and if he reached his potential, would be an excellent partner for Aaron Ekblad.
Projected Range: 15-25
Samuel Girard
Scouting Report: This puck-moving defenseman is tiny but has a very strong lower body and makes up for it with incredible smarts and intelligence. He reads the developing play and makes adjustments constantly – something unusual for a young prospect to do consistently. He is also an elite level skater with impressive speed and strong all-encompassing mobility; able to turn and change directions quickly. Has tremendous puck skills and vision, making skilled passes to spring his forwards on the attack. – Future Considerations
Samuel Girard is certainly one of the smallest defensive prospects in the 2016 NHL Draft, clocking in at a mere 5’10”, 161 pounds. What he lacks in physicality, he makes up for with hockey sense and skating abilities. Girard’s offensive skills are off the charts, and his affinity for moving the puck up the ice result in his team outscoring the opposition when he’s on the ice.
For a team that already has big, physical, young defensemen such as Erik Gudbranson, Alex Petrovic, and Ian McCoshen, a player like Girard could bring needed offensive instincts. With Brian Campbell starting to creep closer to retirement, the Panthers will be needing an puck-moving defenseman; Girard could certainly fill that role.
Projected Range: 20-40
Vitali Abramov
Scouting Report: “The Russian import is a constant threat offensively and makes some impressive plays due to his high skill level. An explosive, well-timed speed burst or change of pace and shifty agility in his feet as well as creative hands make him a slippery forward to check. A skilled playmaker making seeing-eye passes through the tightest of lanes and in perfect time to his teammates. Will shoot the puck when the opportunity presents itself and usually hits his mark when he does but is a natural playmaker first and foremost. Extremely dynamic top line NHL potential.” – Future Considerations
When players are fast, skilled, and smart, keeping them off of the scoresheet it close to impossible. Abramov is one such player, and the 5’9″ Russian forward has made a habit of dissecting opposing defenses this season. As the leading scorer on his team, Abramov has shown that he has plenty of offensive skill. Though there are concerns about his size, there’s no denying that the 17-year-old has the potential to become an elite NHL forward.
The Panthers have plenty of young forwards, but few have the speed and the skill that Abramov does. His addition to the prospect pool would certainly be welcome.
Projected Range: 20-40
Riley Tufte
Scouting Report: “Tufte is part of the increasingly rare breed of top prospect to come out of the USA high school ranks, as they tend to opt for the USHL more nowadays. Tufte is a player who bleeds tools. Standing in at 6 feet 5, 200 pounds, and one of the best skaters in this draft class, Tufte is a nightmare when he’s coming through the neutral zone with the puck. He also has a fair set of hands, and if he develops well, could be a real scorer in the professional ranks.” – Corey Pronman, ESPN (Insider)
Riley Tufte’s raw abilities show that he has the potential to be a dominant goal scorer at the NHL level – big, fast, and skilled sounds a lot like Rick Nash. Unfortunately, most of his playing time this season has come at the high school ranks, which doesn’t offer the best competition. If he can transition to higher levels of hockey, he’ll be a quality NHL forward for whichever team drafts him.
Projected Range: 20-40
For video on Tufte, please click here.
For more on potential first round selections for the Florida Panthers, please check Part I of the series.
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