Sandis Vilmanis – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #30 Florida Panthers – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:00:42 +0000

SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 02: Florida Panthers right wing Jack Devine (38) looks on in the first period during a NHL game between the Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers on December 02, 2025 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL.(Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 30th (last year - 32nd)
GM: Bill Zito Hired: September 2020
COACH: Paul Maurice Hired: June 2022

Who needs prospects when you’re busy winning Stanley Cups? Ultimately, championships are the goal, and the Florida Panthers have accomplished exactly that by capturing back-to-back titles and making three consecutive Finals appearances. Success at the NHL level, however, often comes at the expense of organizational depth, and Florida’s prospect pipeline has taken the expected hit as a result.

The Panthers entered the 2025–26 season hoping to extend their championship window. Unfortunately, a devastating injury to Aleksander Barkov, compounded by Matthew Tkachuk also missing significant time, quickly derailed those ambitions. While the team may be set to miss the postseason, there could be a silver lining. Although it was not widely reported, Florida’s 2026 first-round pick — previously traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Seth Jones — carries top-10 protection. That protection creates a meaningful possibility that the Panthers could retain the selection and inject much-needed high-end talent into a prospect system that has struggled for depth. It has been five drafts since Florida last made a first-round selection, a drought that is clearly reflected in the pipeline.

At the top of the current prospect hierarchy is 21-year-old Gracyn Sawchyn (126th), who is navigating his first professional season in the American Hockey League after a prolific WHL career that saw him produce 200 points in just 166 games. Alongside him is Jack Devine, a 22-year-old forward and former NCAA standout who has transitioned well to the professional ranks in his first full season, contributing on a strong offensive Texas Stars squad.

Even with the possibility of adding a 2026 first-round selection, Florida’s approach shouldn't stray far from the usual. Bill Zito has built this organization around winning in the present, and once the Panthers’ core players return to full health, maintaining that championship standard will remain the front office’s primary focus.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
Fla	1	Gracyn Sawchyn	C	21	5-11/160	Charlotte (AHL)	35	6	17	23	12
Fla	2	Jack Devine	RW	22	5-11/175	Charlotte (AHL)	63	18	25	43	57
Fla	2	Jack Devine	RW	22	5-11/175	Florida (NHL)	6	0	0	0	2
Fla	3	Sandis Vilmanis	LW	22	6-1/190	Charlotte (AHL)	48	17	21	38	26
Fla	3	Sandis Vilmanis	LW	22	6-1/190	Florida (NHL)	19	3	2	5	4
Fla	4	Linus Eriksson	C	20	6-0/190	Timra (SHL)	43	2	5	7	12
Fla	5	Shea Busch	LW	18	6-3/215	Everett (WHL)	12	13	5	18	10
Fla	6	Matvei Shuravin	D	20	6-3/195	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)	21	0	1	1	4
Fla	7	Marek Alscher	D	22	6-3/205	Charlotte (AHL)	52	3	8	11	32
Fla	7	Marek Alscher	D	22	6-3/205	Florida (NHL)	4	0	3	3	0
Fla	8	Kirill Gerasimyuk	G	22	6-2/180	Charlotte (AHL)	19	9	6	2.50	0.901
Fla	8	Kirill Gerasimyuk	G	22	6-2/180	Savannah (ECHL)	7	3	3	2.22	0.918
Fla	9	Michael Benning	D	24	5-9/185	Charlotte (AHL)	57	8	23	31	40
Fla	9	Michael Benning	D	24	5-9/185	Florida (NHL)	18	2	4	6	2
Fla	10	Simon Zether	C	20	6-3/175	Rogle (SHL)	40	1	8	9	12
Fla	11	Cooper Black	G	24	6-8/240	Charlotte (AHL)	42	25	13	2.47	0.903
Fla	12	Mads Kongsbak Klyvo	LW	19	6-2/195	Frolunda (Swe J20)	15	4	10	14	2
Fla	12	Mads Kongsbak Klyvo	LW	19	6-2/195	Frolunda (SHL)	2	0	0	0	0
Fla	13	Arvid Drott	RW	18	6-0/185	Djurgardens (Swe J20)	28	15	10	25	34
Fla	14	Shamar Moses	RW	19	6-1/200	North Bay (OHL)	48	8	10	18	60
Fla	15	Hunter St. Martin	LW	20	6-1/175	Charlotte (AHL)	46	5	8	13	33

1. Gracyn Sawchyn, C, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Coming at a time when he was leading the team in assists and tied for first in points, Gracyn Sawchyn suffered a long-term upper-body injury that has left him off the ice since the start of 2026. Sawchyn is at his best when he’s on the puck, darting around the ice. He’s so quick that he often pulls in multiple defenders at once, and if he can’t dangle around them, he more often than not finds his open teammate. Sawchyn, being undersized, 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds, is definitely starting to become more of a factor now that he’s playing against men. He’s an excellent defender with his stick, but he struggles to battle through puck carriers who can shield him off. Assuming he adds some weight, he’ll be even more irritating to play against, as opponents won’t be able to easily shrug him off. Sawchyn’s style translates strictly to a top-nine role, and there shouldn’t be any concerns about his game translating to the wing if that’s what Florida chooses if he makes the NHL. In all likelihood, a middle-six winger is where Sawchyn will end up as long as he can stay healthy and continues to build on his good offensive habits.

2. Jack Devine, RW, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Despite his rookie status, Jack Devine sits second on the team in points in Charlotte and is doing it in nine fewer games than the leader. He’s shown why he was one of the NCAA’s top scorers the past two seasons, as well as one of the AHL’s best rookies this year. Both on the offensive and defensive sides, Devine is a solid half-ice player. No trait stands out more than his hockey IQ in the way he is always in the right spot at the right time. The NHL game is played at a pace like no other league in the world, and in Devine’s six-game call-up with the Florida Panthers, he found out the hard way. Devine’s lack of footspeed put him behind the play more often than not as he struggled in a role not conducive to his play style. Without an improvement in this area, it’s hard to see Devine sticking at the next level, especially in Florida. Barring major improvements in his skating, it’s more than likely Devine winds up a bottom-six winger.

3. Sandis Vilmanis, LW, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

It’s pretty easy to see why Sandis Vilmanis has played more than just a handful of games with the Florida Panthers this season. After notching 38 games with the Checkers, Vilmanis earned his call-up and has stuck in Sunrise. No matter what line Vilmanis has been thrust into, he hasn’t looked out of place. At 22 years old, Vilmanis already excels at using his 6-foot-2 frame to get inside of opponents and hold onto possession in tight areas. He plays with a bit of an edge, one that Charlie McAvoy was caught on the wrong side of. Not many guys his age know how to use their bodies as well as he does. He isn’t just a physical grinder either; he’s got skill and finesse that can separate him from defenders, giving him room to rip the puck or link up with a teammate. He’s a good skater, and you can trust him in any situation on the ice. With so many guys injured for Florida right now, he should continue to get NHL games, but as they come back, he might get reassigned. He’s not making that decision easy for head coach Paul Maurice. Vilmanis has real middle-six potential and will be a feature of the Panthers by next year if not sooner.

4. Linus Eriksson, C, Timra (SHL)

Eriksson’s second year in the SHL is already much stronger than his first. While the production isn’t there, his skating quickness and physical skills have taken a step and look pro ready. He reads the game at a level above the SHL as well, and his two-way game looks solid as ever. He was also a valuable role player and leader on the Swedish team that won gold at the WJC in Minnesota. All signs are pointing to Eriksson developing into a fine defensive forward at the NHL level. The only drawback is his stalling offensive upside. He’s got a great shot but rarely finds the space he needs to get it off at even strength. His passing and playmaking ability are very practical and projectable, but there isn’t a whole lot of dazzle to his puck skills. He’ll probably never rack up the points in the NHL, but he’ll shut down opposing scorers, force turnovers on the forecheck, and kill penalties. Considering the Panthers have their core locked up long term, Eriksson is exactly the type of bottom 6 role player and locker room presence a perennial cup contender is looking to add whenever they can. Think Oskar Bäck, but with a higher hockey IQ.

5. Shea Busch, LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Shea Busch’s 2025-2026 season has been injury plagued. He suffered an upper body injury in late October and has been out ever since. Before the injury, he was leading his WHL team, the Everett Silvertips, in goals, with 13 goals in 12 games and was playing wing on their top line and power play. It’s unclear as of this writing if and when he’ll return to the Silvertips lineup this season. Before the injury, Busch had been showing good signs of improvement in his offensive game. His wrist shot looked harder and more accurate, and he was being used as a shooter along the wall on the power play. During his draft season, he had been used as the net-front forward because his shot wasn’t nearly as good as it is this season. Busch’s skating has also improved, but it’s not yet to the point of being pro ready. He plays a power forward game, but unless his skating continues to improve, it will likely keep him at an NHL depth forward level. If he can get his skating to a high enough level, he could be a useful bottom six forward.

6. Matvei Shuravin, D, CSKA Moscow (KHL)

Shuravin’s development has stagnated this season, unable to maintain a spot on the KHL roster and lacking the production that he showed in the MHL previously. The flashes of offense are still few and far between, showing that he has the skill to create, but not nearly making enough of an impact. If he isn't activating on the half wall, he is usually getting caught flat-footed on the blue line and taking low danger shots or dumping it to a corner. His physical game is coming along well, though. He looks stronger along the boards and is throwing solid hits, but he struggles mightily against power moves on the rush when playing at higher levels. Decision making, once seen as a strong part of his game, has been more inconsistent, as has his ability to make effective breakout passes. When he is in his own end, he is at his best, anticipating play, protecting the net and winning battles. At this point in time, he looks like a quality MHL defenseman, which at 19 years old is fine. But to be more confident with his development, he needs to prove he is capable of playing at higher levels of competition.

7. Marek Alscher, D, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

With the 2025-26 season nearing its end, Marek Alscher has already eclipsed his point total from last season and has continued to improve defensively as a minute-munching defenseman for the Checkers. Alscher’s game is predicated on making few mistakes and using his size and mobility to shut down attackers in his own zone. Alscher’s largest area of improvement has come from breaking the puck out of his own zone. Whether it has been through a stretch pass or taking the puck himself, Alscher has improved his two-way ability and is progressing towards something more than just a big body on the blue line. If his offense continues to grow, Alscher can likely start to compete for a third-pairing role next season. He and Mikulas Hovorka will likely be battling it out for that spot, with the advantage going to the older and bigger Hovorka. Alscher is only 21 years old with less than two years of pro experience. It’s more than likely he’ll continue to spend a majority of his time, if not all, in Charlotte for the near future as he continues to expand his offensive capabilities and work toward an NHL third-pairing role.

8. Kirill Gerasimyuk, G, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Although nearly a third of the games in which Gerasimyuk has appeared have been in the ECHL, he has largely spent his first year in North America backing up Cooper Black in Charlotte. After years of putting up excellent numbers in the MHL and VHL, Gerasimyuk’s skills have seemingly translated fairly well. In 18 AHL games, he’s 9-6-1 with a 0.902 save percentage, 2.49 goals against average and four shutouts. Gerasimyuk tracks the puck extremely well from side to side and consistently puts on display his lateral agility. Gerasimyuk’s largest area for improvement comes from his lack of rebound control. He’ll often have to generate multiple saves from one shot because he isn’t swallowing pucks or deflecting them to the corners. Teams that are crashing the net can often get second chances in high-danger areas against Gerasimyuk. His athletic ability in net gives his team the opportunity to steal games, but until he shows more consistency and rebound control, he projects more as a fringe NHL backup.

9. Michael Benning, D, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

From his first season in the AHL to his second, Mike Benning’s point production jumped 14 points in 18 fewer games. Now in his third year, Benning’s point totals have so far plateaued. Benning is still producing at more than a 0.5 point per game pace; however, it’s likely not enough to overlook his small stature. Benning is Charlotte’s most utilized defenseman, except on the penalty kill. He’s a threat from the point to score and leverages that to be an effective passer. He times his pinches in the offensive zone well to hold possession for his team, and his skating ability allows him to do so without getting caught going the other way. Unsurprisingly, he struggles against larger opponents who can shield him from the puck, which is the majority of his competition. Benning is not the offensive dynamo where you ignore his defensive inadequacies. There may be an NHL team that can find a role for Benning, but it’s more likely than not that he will be a career AHLer.

10. Simon Zether, C, Rogle BK (SHL)

Zether is still having a bit of a tough time figuring out who he is as a player in his third season of pro hockey. There isn’t much about his game that sticks out as projectable or screams “NHL player”. Still, he’s only 20 years old. There is still plenty of time for an epiphany, and Zether has tools to be hopeful about. Firstly, he puts his 6-foot-3 frame to good use to shield pucks from defenders. He’s a quick skater for a forward his size, and his hands are decent, too. While I wouldn’t consider him a strong two-way player, his positional awareness and work rate are quite good. The drawbacks are the lack of a strong physical game, a fairly SHL-average hockey sense, and a lack of high-end offensive tools. He has a tendency to defer a lot of defensive and offensive responsibilities and fade into the background. While that doesn’t necessarily sound encouraging, Zether was always going to be a long-term project who needs to marinate overseas for a few years. If he can lean into his size and start throwing his weight around more, there’s an outside chance he could fashion a career as a bottom line checking forward in the NHL.

11. Cooper Black, G, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

The massive netminder out of Dartmouth has been solid in his first season as an AHL starter, and he looks like he could end up being a serviceable back-up for the Panthers, who really lack serviceable depth beyond this year.

12. Mads Kongsback Klyvo, LW, Frolunda (SHL)

The big winger with solid skating ability projects as a future bottom six option thanks to his physical tools and two-way awareness. First, he’ll have to establish himself as an SHL regular.

13. Arvid Drott, RW, Djurgardens (SHL)

A similar player to Klyvo; a big winger with strong skating ability who can be impactful away from the puck. Drott also profiles best as a future bottom six fixture. His offensive numbers have improved in the Swedish U20 league this year.

14. Shamar Moses, RW, North Bay Battalion (OHL)

It’s been a step back for Moses this year in his draft year plus one. His skating continues to need to improve and there’s a need for him to be more consistently physically engaged.

15. Hunter St. Martin, LW, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

St. Martin was a breakout star in last year’s WHL playoffs as he helped Medicine Hat capture a WHL championship. This year, the big winger has been a depth piece as a first-year pro.

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – FLORIDA PANTHERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #32

Josh Bell — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:41:21 +0000

240402 Djurgårdens Linus Eriksson under uppvärmningen inför semifinal ett i Hockeyallsvenskan mellan Djurgården och Mora den 2 april 2024 i Stockholm.
Foto: Jesper Zerman / BILDBYRÅN / kod JZ / JZ0506

Prospect System Ranking – 32nd (Previous Rank - 32nd)
GM: Bill Zito Hired: September 2020
COACH: Paul Maurice Hired: June 2022

The Florida Panthers are fully committed to chasing a third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance—and potentially back-to-back championships. But as has been the case in recent years, their success in the present has come at a steep cost to their future.

Already operating with one of the league’s thinnest prospect pools, Florida once again skipped the first round of the NHL Draft for the fourth consecutive year. With no trades to move back into the early rounds, the Panthers didn’t make a pick until the fourth round of the 2025 draft.

That potential reality didn’t stop them from doubling down at this year’s trade deadline. Florida sent its 2026 first-round pick and top goaltending prospect Spencer Knight to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for veteran defenseman Seth Jones. Barring any 2026 trades, the move will push their streak to five years without a meaningful early-round addition to the system.

As a result, there’s been little change in their prospect pool from May 2025. Mackie Samoskevich has officially graduated, leaving just two players in McKeen’s top 200: 2023 second-rounder Gracyn Sawchyn, who put up 200 points in 166 WHL games and is poised to make the leap to the pros. Meanwhile, Jack Devine, who capped off a productive NCAA career with 163 points in 162 games at the University of Denver, has now turned pro and offered a strong Calder Cup playoff stint.

Beyond that, the system is filled with long shots and depth hopefuls.

With that in mind, it’s full steam ahead for GM Bill Zito, who has clearly prioritized maximizing the club’s current championship window. For the Panthers, the mandate is clear: leverage every asset to win now—even if it means leaving the cupboard bare.

Florida Panthers Top-15 Prospects

1. Gracyn Sawchyn

Gracyn Sawchyn had little left to prove after a nearly 80-point season in his final year of junior eligibility. There’s no question he’s an effective junior scorer with some edge but now comes the next step in his career with the opportunity to play for the Charlotte Checkers. Sawchyn is very pesky in pursuit of the puck carrier and is, overall, a very tough player who is hungry for goals. Florida has the unique advantage of having Brad Marchand to mentor Sawchyn, given that the two have some similar elements stylistically, and Sawchyn could likely benefit from working with a player of the same archetype. If Sawchyn can reduce the turnovers and become a more efficient player, he will no doubt slot into Florida’s bottom six eventually. This year, Sawchyn should try to bulk up from his current sub-160-pound frame to translate the physical aspects of his game into a men’s league.

2. Jack Devine

After leading the NCAA in scoring last year and finishing seventh in nationwide scoring the year before (as well as back to back showings as a Hobey Baker finalist), it is easy to see why Jack Devine is one of Florida’s top prospects. The 2022 seventh-round pick won two national championships in Denver and slid right into the Charlotte Checkers lineup after the Pioneers’ season was done last year. Devine is an excellent puck distributor with high-end hockey IQ but also is not afraid to drive the net. One aspect that Devine needs to improve is his skating, as he can end up chasing the play at times, particularly on the forecheck. If he can add a gear or two to his skating speed, he should be able to contribute as a bottom six forward in Florida. For this season, he will continue his development in the AHL.

3. Linus Eriksson

Injuries and playing a constant game of “catch up” in the HockeyAlssvenskan made for a very tough D+1 season for Eriksson. He was eventually loaned to Timrå in the SHL to close out the year, but he had to work hard just to stay afloat in a bottom six role. That being said, there is nowhere to go but up for the Stockholm native. Eriksson is a smooth skater and a sneaky good finisher. He plays a physical and intelligent two-way game. He supports his line mates off-puck both offensively and defensively. He’s a leader, something many guys in the Panthers organization are. He is not the flashiest or highest upside prospect, but teams who are all in on their core like the Panthers need some solid, bottom six center depth like Eriksson their pipeline. The next step is to come back to the SHL with a vengeance (and a clean bill of health) and to get a full season’s worth of reps in.

4. Matvei Shuravin

Florida’s 2024 third-round pick, Matvei Shuravin, made steady progress this season, especially in his defensive play. He reads threats well and shuts down chances before they develop, with improved timing and angles leading to a tighter defensive game. His skating also took a leap, generating more speed and power through each stride. With possession, he’s more confident and willing to rush pucks up with his feet, but his decision-making remains a major concern. He often forces low percentage passes, mishandles breakouts, and tries to do too much in transition. Shuravin needs to become more disciplined and make smarter choices with the puck. While he has shown growth, the expectation was that he would gain more VHL experience this year, and he looked disengaged in the MHL at times. A move to the pro level next season is necessary for his development. Long term, he projects as a bottom-four shutdown defenceman but must refine his puck play to succeed in the NHL.

5. Sandis Vilmanis

Sandis Vilmanis found decent success in his first pro season with Charlotte, scoring 27 points in 61 games playing 13 minutes per game. He’s got tons of skill, as seen when carrying the puck in transition, where he combines head fakes with slick stickhandling to sneak by defenders. Sandis is also effective at dangling in the offensive zone in a more lateral sense to create open lanes for his teammates and drive to the net. His forechecking and defensive game are both passable, but there’s no denying that if he makes the big leagues, it’ll be as a skill player. For that reason, it’ll be a little tougher to crack the NHL roster given the talent the Panthers already have, but Vilmanis is still a few years out, so a spot could emerge. This year, Vilmanis will likely be entrusted with a top six forward role on Charlotte, so better production is to be expected. This year will be a telling one whether Vilmanis will be able to hit another gear.

6. Michael Benning

Michael Benning’s point totals spiked last year, showing his commitment to improvement, showing fixes to his game year after year. Standing at just 5-foot-9 and playing as a defenceman, Benning still has an uphill battle just to secure an NHL roster spot, but he does have some fun attributes. Benning's compete is very solid in front of the net and when battling for lost pucks, but he lacks reach and strength against larger opponents; he'll likely need a more sheltered role to thrive. Benning possesses a cannon of a shot, able to beat goalies frequently by teeing up from the point, also forcing defenders to respect it and play tighter defence. Benning frequently uses his feet and activates deep in the zone to find backdoor opportunities or passing lanes with the puck. What was once a long shot upside swing by the Cats is looking more and more like a future depth roster player.

7. Marek Alscher

Alscher made his pro debut last season with the Charlotte Checkers and fit what we've come to expect from him: a solid defensive presence, good mobility for a larger guy, and safe decision-making with the puck. His limited point totals in the AHL are to be expected; however, he does make an effort to pinch at the blue line and tries to make plays. At this point in his development, the Panthers likely want to see Alscher take on a minute-munching role in the AHL next year. Marek’s use of physicality to knock forwards off balance and win net-front battles also makes him an attractive option for a future bottom-pair NHL role, but his limited offence puts a limit on his ceiling. 2025-26 will be a key year for him to prove he can be a consistent defensive defenceman and perhaps earn a stint on the defending champs’ bottom pair should any injuries sideline Kulikov or Mikkola.

8. Hunter St. Martin

There were probably times this season where St. Martin had to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. His shooting ability is his strongest asset, and he got plenty of opportunities to show that off following passes from frequent linemate Gavin McKenna, who is one of the best playmakers that the WHL has ever seen. If anything, it's kind of surprising that St. Martin finished with only 39 goals on the year. He can bury chances from medium range as easily as he can from the real prime spots. Right now, no other single piece of his skill set comes close to the impressiveness of his finishing ability, but his mother, Susan, is a former Olympic figure skater who then became a power-skating coach, so there are justifiable hopes that his mobility will keep improving as he continues to develop. St. Martin still has a long way to go, but within Florida’s shallow prospect pool he’ll receive opportunities to work his way up.

9. Mads Kongsbak Klyvø

Kongsbak Klyvø really caught fire in the second half of the season with Frölunda J20 and looked like the type of player that teams trip over themselves to draft. Big, fast, skilled, and smart. He fit right in with Frölunda’s fast-paced, rush-attack heavy style. His vision and puck management as a rush QB was remarkable. While the ingredients of a modern power forward are present, a key one still needs development: physicality. MKK has a big body but doesn’t play heavy. He doesn’t leverage his size in puck battles or to attack the middle as often as you’d like, either. His skating helps him annoy puck carriers on the forecheck and when backpressuring, but he’s fairly low event away from the puck. Kongsbak Klyvø is still quite raw and will need plenty of time to refine his finesse and develop that grit and sandpaper element to his game. Expect him to split time between the U20 level and the SHL next season.

10. Arvid Drott

The Panthers definitely had a checklist in mind when drafting out of Sweden in 2025. Much like Mads Kongsbak Klyvö, Drott plays a heavy, north-south style of hockey that seems to embody the Florida style of play. Drott is a speedy, physical winger with legitimate goal scoring upside. He can rip the puck, he goes to the net, and he can bang home rebounds with the best of them. He doesn’t have the ability to make high levels plays or pick apart defences on his own, but he’s great at catching passes in speed, making him an excellent target in transition for a rush attack. Provided his ability to read and react to play away from the puck continues to improve in time (and that he gets an opportunity to play a meaningful role with a pro team in Sweden), Drott could be a fantastic value add for the defending Stanley cup champions. Drott will be back with Djurgarden’s U20 team next year and is poised to take on a top six role with them.

11. Shea Busch

There is no Busch Light version of Shea Busch. His strength is his strength and there is no easy way to move him off the puck or away from the net. He’s refined his skills to score goals off deflections and in dirty areas because there is no going around a defender, just through. After moving to Everett midseason last year, Busch will have a full year in the WHL to show why his physically imposing playstyle is simply effective.

12. Simon Zether

Zether spent most of his draft year in the SHL, although this year was loaned out to Västerås IK in the HockeyAllsvenskan. He only played 25 games there due to injury, where he picked up 12 points. He’s a defensive-minded center who uses his frame and reach to shut down attackers. His offence is limited by his skating and overall speed. He should be back with Rögle BK in the SHL, getting consistent playing time.

13. Shamar Moses

Moses is a rare breed of big power forward and playmaker. He’s dangerous off the half-wall and can thread the needle. He plays both ends of the ice well, getting involved defensively with a stick to intercept the passing lanes he exploits on the other end. Moses struggled at the tail end of the season with North Bay, but if he can improve his overall skating, he could end up leading the way for the Battalion next year.

14. Kirill Gerasimyuk

Kirill Gerasimyuk has spent the past few seasons bouncing between the MHL and VHL, putting up very solid numbers. He signed a two-year ELC on July 1, making the jump from the VHL to the AHL. Gerasimyuk is a very agile goaltender who tracks the play well from side to side. He should be one of the featured goaltenders in Charlotte, and if the jump proves too large, he may spend more time in the ECHL.

15. Ryan McAllister

Sometimes, the most brutal injuries are when they happen at the most pivotal times. Ryan McAllister, an undrafted free agent, was piecing together a point-per-game season with Charlotte in the AHL before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. Despite being undersized, McAllister has still put up points at every level and will have one more chance to show he belongs next season in Charlotte before his ELC expires.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: FLORIDA PANTHERS – Top 15 Affiliated Prospects

Wed, 14 May 2025 19:57:22 +0000

SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 08: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) gets tripped up by Florida Panthers right wing Justin Sourdif (24) in the first period during game one of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Amerant Bank Area in Sunrise, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire)

Subscribers can download the PDF in subscriber downloads. Florida 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – FLORIDA PANTHERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #32

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Brock Otten — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 13:00:33 +0000

_{PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 26: Florida Panthers right wing Mackie Samoskevich (25) warms up before the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Florida Panthers on January 26, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 32nd (Previous Rank - 31st)
GM: Bill Zito Hired: September 2020
COACH: Paul Maurice Hired: June 2022

The Florida Panthers are riding high as the current Stanley Cup Champions, buoyed by the momentum of back-to-back Final appearances. However, that success has come at a cost, as GM Bill Zito has heavily leveraged the team’s future to maximize their chances in the present.

For the third consecutive year, the club skipped day one of the NHL Draft, a lingering consequence of their 2023 trade deadline acquisition of Claude Giroux in 2022. The road ahead doesn’t get easier for the Panthers, as they owe further picks for acquiring Matthew Tkachuk and Vladimir Tarasenko, including their 2025 first, third, and fourth-round selections. Additionally, they sacrificed their 2025 second-round pick to move up and select Linus Eriksson 58th overall in the 2024 Draft. As it stands, Florida will not make a selection until the fourth round in 2025. Then again, that pill is much easier to swallow with a Stanley Cup banner hanging from the rafters.

The Panthers’ prospect situation remains largely unchanged. Even with six new draftees in 2024, the team still only has one prospect in McKeen’s top 200—Mackie Samoskevich. It’s worth noting that Samoskevich has dropped from 77th to the 100th spot, barely holding onto his top 100 status. On a slightly positive note, Linus Eriksson, their recent top pick, now sits as McKeen’s 248th-ranked prospect, giving Florida a second name within the top 250.

Despite these additions, the organization continues to rely heavily on its veteran core, having graduated just two prospects over the past five years. Luckily, Anton Lundell has proven to be a formidable asset, backed up by an impressive playoff performance this past spring, where his 17 points (3G, 14A) in 24 games finished seventh most among all NHL skaters. Meanwhile, Spencer Knight, now on the road to playing games again, remains poised to solidify a backup role behind Sergei Bobrovsky as a waiver-exempt 23-year-old.

Despite their thin prospect depth, the Panthers are in a healthy position with a list of primed veterans ready to keep that Stanley Cup window open for the foreseeable future.

Florida Panthers Top-15 Prospects

1. Mackie Samoskevich

Samoskevich had a terrific first pro season; his offensive production and performance carried over seamlessly from the NCAA level. He led a low scoring Charlotte Checkers team in scoring from start to finish and even earned a few cups of coffee with the Panthers. Samoskevich is an outstanding facilitator because of his high-end vision and ability to make sound decisions when playing with pace. He combines skill with high end speed and most definitely possesses the potential to be an impact top six forward for the Florida Panthers in the near future. While the re-signing of Sam Reinhart likely decreased Samoskevich’s likelihood of breaking camp with Florida, there could still be a very real opportunity for Samoskevich this season. If he earns significant ice time and responsibility, he could be a sneaky Calder contender on a strong Florida Panthers roster.

2. Linus Eriksson

Florida’s second round selection in 2024, we really liked Linus Eriksson at McKeen’s Hockey, ranking him 40th heading into the draft. A strong two-way pivot, Eriksson oozes leadership capabilities, serving as the captain of Sweden’s U18 team this past year. He’s a very versatile player thanks to his strength on/off the puck, tenacity, and speed. The real question is, what kind of offensive upside does Eriksson possess? Could he be a second line center, or does he project better in the bottom six? That remains to be seen. Last year, Eriksson spent half the year with Djurgårdens IF of the Allsvenskan (Swedish second league) and actually performed admirably there. This coming year, he will try to earn more ice time and responsibility as a professional. He will also look to be a solid role player on Sweden’s entry at the World Junior Championships.

3. Matvei Shuravin

Another 2024 draft selection that we ranked highly at McKeen’s Hockey (34th), Shuravin looks like a savvy pick up at the end of the third round. The big defender is highly mobile and offers intriguing upside as a two-way player. He started his draft year very strongly in the KHL but faded in the second half due to some injury and illness issues. At the very least, Shuravin’s length, mobility, and physical potential give him upside as a defensive stalwart at the NHL level. However, we believe that his game has more to offer offensively as he develops confidence. This coming season, Shuravin will attempt to become a KHL regular with CSKA, hoping to sustain the strong start he got off to last year. Unquestionably, he is a long-term project, especially when you factor in contractual issues with the KHL, however, he could be worth the wait.

4. Gracyn Sawchyn

A second round selection by Florida last year, Sawchyn split this past year between Seattle and Edmonton of the WHL. He (and the rights to his younger brother Lukas) were dealt to Edmonton near the WHL trade deadline and he finished out the year with the Oil Kings, but failed to help them make the WHL playoffs. Sawchyn is an interesting prospect because of his intriguing blend of skill and tenacity. He brings a physical element and a pest like approach, but is also highly skilled with the puck and is a high end playmaker. The issue is consistency. Sawchyn is still someone best described as not being the sum of his parts yet. His ultimate upside depends on his ability to be able to put everything together to become a consistent play driver. In Edmonton next year, the expectation is that Sawchyn will become one of the better offensive players in the WHL and help the Oil Kings push up the WHL standings. Anything less than an 80 point season in his final junior year would likely be classified as a disappointment.

5. Justin Sourdif

While Sourdif’s offensive production only improved mildly in his sophomore pro season, the Panthers have to be happy with the progression of his game. Sourdif is most effective when he’s able to play through the middle of the ice and get to the net. He struggled to do that consistently as an AHL rookie two years ago due to strength deficits. But this past year, he was a more consistent playmaker by winning more battles in high traffic areas and maintaining possession through contract. His quick feet make him elusive and his high energy approach makes him an effective off puck player. One would assume that Florida will continue to be patient with Sourdif, even if he received a cup of coffee with the main club last year. He likely returns to the AHL this year, where the Panthers will be looking for him to take another step forward offensively. He’s still on the right path to developing into a quality middle six forward in the future.

6. Jack Devine

How could you not be impressed by the progression of Devine’s game through three seasons with Denver in the NCAA? He has nearly doubled his offensive production each of the first three years and that culminated with him becoming one of the better offensive players in college hockey last season. He finished inside the top ten of NCAA scoring, leading the Pioneers in goals and points as a junior. It’s fair to say that he is ready to turn pro, however he will instead return to Denver for his senior season. When Devine was drafted, there were concerns with his projection given his lack of dynamic skating ability in combination with the lack of a standout quality offensive skill. That’s why he fell to the seventh round despite being previously hyped with the U.S. NTDP. He has since worked hard to get his skating up to par and improvements made to his strength on the puck have allowed him to take greater advantage of his high end vision and IQ. Simply put, Devine is an incredibly intelligent player in the offensive end, with and without the puck. How will his game translate to the pro level? That’s still a bit of a mystery. However, he has improved his odds of becoming a potential impact support player for the Panthers in the future.

7. Sandis Vilmanis

Since entering the OHL through the Import Draft, Vilmanis has been an interesting case. Playing with the Sarnia Sting, he had consistently passed the eye test with his high end skill and ability to play a North/South game. However, the production had previously not added up and been consistent. A midseason move to North Bay appeared to unlock that. With the Battalion, Vilmanis was one of the OHL’s best offensive players in the second half, operating at nearly a goal per game. He dominates near the net front area and improved his play away from the puck, a previous concern for Vilmanis. Sandis’ strong play with North Bay has earned him an ELC from Florida and he will turn pro this year. In the AHL, the focus for Vilmanis will be to continue to improve his off puck play to help him earn touches so that he can take greater advantage of his high-end puck skill and shooting ability. He projects as a quality middle six option in a few years.

8. Michael Benning

Perhaps the most positive thing about Benning’s first pro season was that he showed a willingness to battle defensively and physically, improving his likelihood of being an NHL defender. The offensive skills have never been questioned. Benning has a big point shot and moves the puck well at the point; there is definite upside as a powerplay quarterback. However, the undersized defender has always had question marks about his ability to defend effectively at the pro level. Last year has helped to alleviate those concerns. Are they gone completely? Absolutely not. The next step for Benning will be to improve his offensive production because that is the key to him being an NHL defender. He’s going to have to be a difference maker with the puck as a facilitator to earn an NHL promotion. At the AHL level that should come with experience and greater confidence. Look for Benning to spend another year or two at the AHL level before finally earning a potential permanent role with Florida.

9. Simon Zether

A big power center, Zether was a fourth round selection by the Panthers this year. He plays a mature, two-way game already, excelling in tight quarters. He protects the puck extremely well and is difficult to stop as he pushes his way through the middle of the ice. Zether’s offensive production was very limited at the SHL level last year, however it’s important to note that he played for a deep and talented Rogle team that finished as SHL finalists. In order to earn more ice time and responsibility at the pro level, Zether is going to drop down a level to the Allsvenkan next year with Vasteras. The focus for him needs to be on improving his skating. Can he get quicker and improve his agility to allow him to play with greater pace at the pro level? With the right development, Zether could become a solid middle six option down the line.

10. Ryan McAllister

A high profile signing out of Western Michigan last year, McAllister’s first pro season can best be characterized as up and down with Charlotte. He was in and out of the lineup, but largely produced when he played. McAllister is a well-rounded offensive player. He skates well. He has a quality shot. He is skilled with the puck and has high end vision. He also has a solid motor and competes for touches, something that bodes well for his eventual progression as an offensive player as he bulks up and becomes more equipped to play through contact at the pro level. So why didn’t he play more? That remains a bit of a mystery and it is something that frustrated Panthers’ fans last year. Hopefully this season McAllister can earn a permanent spot in Charlotte’s top six forward group and become a quality point producer at the AHL level. Still only 22, McAllister was young for an NCAA free agent signing and this means that Florida should be patient with him moving forward.

11. Marek Alscher

Anything Alscher brings to the table offensively is simply gravy at this point. Would Florida have preferred to see greater offensive development from Alscher in the WHL last year? Probably. But simply put, it’s not going to be his calling card. Alscher was drafted, and subsequently signed, for his defensive abilities. If he makes the NHL, it will be as a shutdown, stay at home defender for the Panthers. He’ll turn pro next season and could move rapidly through the system if he’s able to adjust to the pace well and make sound decisions with the puck.

12. Josh Davies

A human cannonball, Davies is an ultra-aggressive and pesky forward. He took a positive step forward offensively this year in the WHL, reaching the point per game mark for the first time, however offensive production won’t be his calling card at the next level. He projects as a disruptive, high energy, bottom six option for Florida.

13. Evan Nause

A Memorial Cup champion with Quebec (QMJHL) in 2023, Nause’s pro debut this past year fell completely flat. Seeing your former second round selection forced to the ECHL for most of the year has to be concerning. Can Nause have a better sophomore season as a pro, proving that he can be a future option for Florida’s blueline in the future?

14. Ben Steeves

A free agent signing out of Minnesota-Duluth this past year, Steeves is the younger brother of Maple Leafs’ prospect Alex Steeves. He’s a little ball of energy who loves to play up tempo, bringing skill and tenaciousness. He led UMD in scoring last year and will be entering his first full season of pro hockey. A potential bottom six piece down the line?

15. Wilmer Skoog

Hard work and determination earned Skoog an NHL deal from Florida this year after he played last season on an AHL deal with Charlotte. However, the big forward’s goal scoring prowess may have had something to do with that too. After starting the season in the ECHL, Skoog worked his way up to a key role with the Checkers and ended up tying for the team lead in goals with Samoskevich. He does his damage near the crease and is best as a support player.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #31 Florida Panthers

Player Profiles - Brock Otten, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Mon, 27 May 2024 19:17:10 +0000

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 26: Florida Panthers right wing Mackie Samoskevich (25) warms up before the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Florida Panthers on January 26, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

The 2023 Stanley Cup Finalist once again returns to the Eastern Conference final as of this writing, with bigger ambitions in mind. It has been a full-on press to finish the job and GM Bill Zito has sacrificed prospect depth repeatedly as a result. The Panthers have no first-round picks in the next two drafts (2024 and 2025) and the 2026 first is conditional. Last season at the 2023 deadline, the 2024 pick was used to acquire rental, Claude Giroux, while the 2025 pick was moved in the blockbuster Tkachuk trade. More draft capital (3rd and 4th round picks) was moved at the 2024 trade deadline to add Vladimir Tarasenko, also likely moving on in the new season. They do not have a pick until the third round in this year’s draft.

It says something about the depth of your prospect pool, when you only have one player ranked in the top 200 prospects. Mackie Samoskevich was their last first round pick back in 2021 and is currentlyranked 77th overall by McKeens. They have had two prospects graduate in the last five years in solid Anton Lundell who has appeared in 216 games for the club and goaltender Spence Knight. Knight enjoyed a strong bounce back season in the AHL after entering in NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Still young at 23-years-old, and drafted 13th overall, it is encouraging to see him back on a path to fulfill his considerable potential. Now waivers exempt, he should back up Sergei Bobrovsky, who is signed for another two years. The Panthers core remains in the prime with most of their key players 28-years old or younger. Their window to win the Stanley Cup will remain open for a while yet.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Mackie Samoskevich	RW	21	5-11/190	Charlotte (AHL)	`21(24th)	62	22	32	54	24
					Florida (NHL)	`21(24th)	7	0	0	0	0
2	Gracyn Sawchyn	C	19	5-11/160	Sea-Edm (WHL)	`23(63rd)	54	19	45	64	44
3	Justin Sourdif	RW	22	5-11/180	Charlotte (AHL)	`20(87th)	58	12	26	38	62
4	Jack Devine	RW	20	5-11/175	Denver (NCHC)	`22(221st)	44	27	29	56	20
5	Sandis Vilmanis	LW	20	6-1/190	Sar-NB (OHL)	`22(157th)	60	38	29	67	10
6	Michael Benning	D	22	5-9/185	Charlotte (AHL)	`20(95th)	72	9	17	26	50
7	Santtu Kinnunen	D	25	6-3/190	Charlotte (AHL)	`18(207th)	68	4	17	21	24
8	Ryan McAllister	LW	22	5-10/185	Charlotte (AHL)	FA(4/23)	37	8	11	19	16
9	Mack Guzda	G	23	6-5/210	Charlotte (AHL)	FA(2/22)	2	1	1	2.02	0.930
10	Marek Alscher	D	20	6-3/205	Portland (WHL)	`22(93rd)	57	7	19	26	43
11	Josh Davies	LW	20	5-9/195	Portland (WHL)	`22(186th)	55	36	25	61	91
12	Evan Nause	D	21	6-2/190	Florida (ECHL)	`21(56th)	28	0	5	5	17
13	Patrick Giles	C	24	6-4/215	Charlotte (AHL)	FA(9/22)	66	13	10	23	31
14	Liam Arnsby	C	20	5-10/180	North Bay (OHL)	`22(214th)	60	11	23	34	93
15	Albert Wikman	D	19	6-1/190	Farjestads (Swe J20)	`23(127th)	45	3	17	20	18

1. Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Mackie Samoskevich has had a terrific first pro season; his offensive production and performance has carried over seamlessly from the NCAA level. He led the Charlotte Checkers in scoring all year and even earned a few cups of coffee with the Panthers. Samoskevich is an outstanding facilitator because of his high-end vision and ability to make sound decisions when playing with pace. He combines skill with high end speed and most definitely possesses the potential to be an impact top six forward for the Florida Panthers in the near future. With a few of Florida’s deadline acquisitions set to become UFA’s and the future of Sam Reinhart up in the air, there could be a very real opportunity for him next season. If he earns significant ice time and responsibility, he could be a sneaky Calder contender on a strong Florida Panthers roster.

2. Gracyn Sawchyn, C, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

A second-round selection last year, Gracyn Sawchyn split this year between Seattle and Edmonton of the WHL. He (and the rights to his younger brother Lukas) were dealt to Edmonton near the WHL trade deadline and he finished out the year with the Oil Kings. He is an intriguing prospect because of his blend of skill and tenacity. He brings a physical element and a pest like approach but is also highly skilled with the puck and a high-end playmaker. The issue is consistency. Sawchyn is still someone best described as not being the sum of his parts yet. His ultimate upside depends on his ability to be able to put everything together to become a consistent play driver. In Edmonton next year, the expectation is that he will become one of the better offensive players in the WHL and help the Oil Kings push up the WHL standings. Anything less than an 80-point season in his final junior year would likely be classified as a disappointment.

3. Justin Sourdif, C/RW, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

While Justin Sourdif’s offensive production only improved mildly in his sophomore pro season, the Panthers have to be happy with the progression of his game. Sourdif is most effective when he’s able to play through the middle of the ice and get to the net. He struggled to do that consistently as an AHL rookie last year due to strength deficits. But this year, he was able to be a more consistent playmaker by winning more battles in high traffic areas and maintaining possession through contract. His quick feet make him elusive, and his high energy approach makes him an effective off puck player. One would assume that Florida will continue to be patient with Sourdif, even if he received a cup of coffee with the main club this year. He will likely return to the AHL next year, where Florida will be looking for him to take another step forward offensively. He’s still on the right path to developing into a quality middle six forward in the future.

4. Jack Devine, RW, University of Denver (NCAA)

How could you not be impressed by the progression of Jack Devine’s game through three seasons with Denver in the NCAA? He has nearly doubled his offensive production each of the first three years and that has culminated with him becoming one of the better offensive players in college hockey. He finished inside the top ten of NCAA scoring, leading the Pioneers in goals and points as a junior. It’s fair to say that he is ready to turn pro. At the draft he fell to the seventh round over concerns with his lack of dynamic skating ability, combined with the lack of a ‘standout’ offensive skill. However, he’s worked hard to get his skating up to par and improvements made to his strength on the puck has allowed him to take greater advantage of his high-end vision and IQ. How will his game translate to the pro level? That’s still a bit of a mystery. However, he has improved his odds of becoming a potential impact support player in the future.

5. Sandis Vilmanis, RW/LW, North Bay Battalion (OHL)

Since entering the OHL through the Import Draft, Sandis Vilmanis has been an interesting case. Playing with the Sarnia Sting, he had consistently passed the eye test with his high-end skill and ability to play a North/South game. However, the production had previously not added up and been consistent. A mid-season move to North Bay appeared to unlock that. With the Battalion, he has been one of the OHL’s best offensive players in the second half, operating at nearly a goal per game. He dominates near the net front area and is playing a more consistent game off the puck, a previous concern for him. His strong play earned him an ELC from Florida and he will almost certainly turn pro next year. In the AHL, the focus for him will be to continue to improve his off puck play to help him earn touches so that he can take greater advantage of his high-end puck skill and shooting ability. He projects as a quality middle six option in a few years.

6. Michael Benning, D, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Perhaps the most positive thing about Michael Benning’s first pro season has been that he’s shown a willingness to battle defensively and physically, improving his likelihood of being an NHL defender. The offensive skills have never been questioned. He has a big point shot and moves the puck well at the point; there is definite upside as a powerplay quarterback. However, the undersized defender has always had question marks about his ability to defend effectively at the pro level. This year has helped to alleviate those concerns. Are they gone completely? Absolutely not. The next step will be to improve his offensive production because that is the key to him being an NHL defender. He’s going to have to be a difference maker with the puck as a facilitator to earn an NHL promotion. At the AHL level that should come with experience and greater confidence. Look for Benning to spend another year or two at the AHL level before finally earning a potential permanent role with Florida.

7. Santtu Kinnunen, D, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Santtu Kinnunen exploded onto the scene last year with a terrific freshman year in the AHL after marinating in Finland for many years. Florida’s patience with the former seventh round pick had looked to be finally paying off. However, this year has been a bit of a step back for him as a second-year pro. It’s been why he has been passed over for other players like waiver claims Josh Mahura and Tobias Bjornfot, or the slightly older Uvis Balinskis as an injury fill in on the Panthers’ blueline. Kinnunen is still quite slight and the consistency of his defensive play has been an issue. Combine that with decreased offensive production and you can see why Florida has gone in other directions. Will he receive a qualifying offer this summer? It seems likely but is probably not guaranteed. Next year will be a big one for him if he does return to Florida, as he will look to prove that he can be a solid two-way option.

8. Ryan McAllister, C, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

A high profile signing out of Western Michigan last year, Ryan McAllister’s first pro season has been up and down with Charlotte. He’s been in and out of the lineup as a scratch but has largely produced when he has played. He is a well-rounded offensive player. He skates well. Owns a quality shot. He is skilled with the puck and has high end vision. He also has a solid motor and competes for touches, something that bodes well for his eventual progression as an offensive player as he bulks up and becomes more equipped to play through contact at the pro level. So why hasn’t he played more? That remains a bit of a mystery. Hopefully next season he can earn a permanent spot in Charlotte’s top six forward group and become a quality point producer at the AHL level. Still only 22, McAllister was young for an NCAA free agent signing and this means that Florida should be patient with him moving forward.

9. Mack Guzda, G, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

A free agent signing out of the OHL last year, Mack Guzda largely impressed in his first pro season, giving Florida hope that big netminder could develop into an NHL netminder. However, injuries have effectively wiped out his second season. He hasn’t played since November and it would appear that his season is essentially over. The 6’ 5” goaltender’s best asset is obviously his size. He is technically sound and covers his posts well, challenging shooters to take away angles. Even when he drops down to the butterfly, he still takes away so much of the net and his quick pads make him tough to beat high and low. The injury this year has definitely delayed his timeline. The focus next year will now solely be health related. Florida will be looking for him to get back to playing 30+ games for Charlotte and then can make an evaluation on his potential NHL future.

10. Marek Alscher, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Anything Marek Alscher brings to the table offensively is simply gravy at this point. Would Florida have preferred to see greater offensive development from Alscher in the WHL this year? Probably. But, simply put, it’s not going to be his calling card. He was drafted (and subsequently signed) for his defensive abilities. If he makes the NHL, it will be as a shutdown, stay at home defender for the Panthers. The 6’ 3” defender moves well, has a great stick, brings consistent physicality, and has a great mind in the defensive end. He is very difficult to play against and it is one of the reasons why Portland is considered a tough team to beat. It was also one of the reasons why Czechia captured a bronze medal at this year’s WJC’s and he was named one of the top three players on the team despite zero points. He’ll turn pro next season and could move rapidly through the system if he’s able to adjust to the pace.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – December 30th Game Recaps + Three Stars

Steven Graves — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 15:49:35 +0000

231230 Jonas Taibel of Switzerland celebrates scoring 3-2 during the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Switzerland and Norway on December 30, 2023 in Gothenburg.
Photo: Michael Erichsen / BILDBYRÅN / COP 89 / MI0589

Switzerland 6, Norway 2

A day after losing a hard-fought game against the Slovaks, the Norwegians came into their last game of the tournament with an 0-3 record. This was their biggest game of the tournament, and their best chance at avoiding playing in relegation. The first period started off rough with Simon Meier opening the scoring for the Swiss early after Stian Solberg was caught pinching. A minute later, 2024 NHL draft prospect Leon Muggli took a dangerous boarding penalty where the Swiss saw themselves without the defender for the rest of the game and the Norwegians found themselves on a 5-minute power play opportunity. Unfortunately, the Norwegian power play was discombobulated, and the Swiss ended up with more shorthanded chances on the penalty kill than Norway had on their PP. Before the end of the first period, the Norwegians scored 2 quick goals - a great individual effort on the power play by Martin Johnsen where he cut to the net with speed and beat the Swiss netminder, and a lucky bounce by Patrik Dalen after he tried to make a cross ice pass to his teammate and the puck bounced right back to him for an easy tap in.

The second period was all Switzerland; undisciplined play by Norway led to multiple power play opportunities for the Swiss where they figured out goaltender Markus Stensrud. Three of their four goals in the period were shots taken up high. The goal scorers were Leo Braillard, Jonas Taibel, Rodwin Dionicio and Thierry Schild. The Captain, Taibel ended up with 3 points in this period for the Swiss.The third period saw another goal by Anaheim Ducks prospect Rodwin Dionicio to make the game 6-2 and the Norwegian’s were out of it by then. Jonas Taibel finished the game with 4 points and was all over the ice all game long.

Latvia 6, Germany 2

Latvia came into this game without scoring a goal in the tournament after being shut out by Canada, Sweden and Finland. This game was their best chance at winning and avoiding relegation and although they hadn’t shown competitive up to this point in the tournament, the 6-5 victory against Germany in pre-tournament games meant that this game has always been the one Latvia was looking forward to. The first period was all Latvia - they were controlling the pace of play all period long. 2024 NHL draft prospect Eriks Mateiko opened the scoring for Latvia after a harmless looking shot fooled the German netminder Philipp Dietl and went 5-hole for Latvia’s first of the tournament. Undisciplined play by Lutz led to a man advantage for Latvia and Rubzerts Bukarts made him play with a rocket one timer. Then after lost coverage by Lutz, Peteris Bulans pots Latvia’s third goal of the period.

In the second period, Samuel Schindler gets Germany on the board with a weak wrister entering the zone but Latvia answers after a bad German line change and Rainers Darzins gets in on a partial break to put Latvia back up 3. Another penalty by Lutz allowed Sandis Vilmanis to score a one timer goal to end the period. Vilmanis continued where he left off in the second to make it 6-1 after a strong power move to the net after a nice feed from Bruin’s 4th rounder Dans Locmelis. Germany had a breath of life after Sabres prospect Norwin Panocha snuck in from the point to give the Germans their second goal of the game. However, after Veit Oswald made a dangerous hit from behind that led to a 5-minute power play for Latvia, Germany was out of the game and handed Latvia the win.

Three stars

#1 Jonas Taibel - Switzerland

Switzerland’s captain played a really strong game today and was a major reason why the Swiss defeated the Norwegians. Taibel was all over the ice, facilitating plays and being dangerous throughout. Not only did he score the game winning goal for Team Switzerland (an absolute snipe might I add) but he added three helpers in the game to give him a four-point day, truly a great performance to propel Switzerland to the win.

#2 Sandis Vilmanis - Latvia

Vilmanis, a Florida Panthers fourth round selection, came out to play for the Latvians today in a must win game for the nation. The Sarnia Sting forward was constantly causing headaches for the Germans on the forecheck with his speed and was dangerous when given space in the offensive zone. Vilmanis had two goals in the game including a real nice power move to the front of the net to give Latvia a 6-1 lead.

#3 Rodwin Dioninco - Switzerland

Dionicio, who is the lone NHL drafted player on this Swiss roster played a very strong game for the Swiss in this one. He was constantly joining the rush, thwarting plays all over the ice, being physical and most importantly had 2 of the Swiss’ 6 goals in this game. The Anaheim Ducks prospect showcased his offensive ability on his two goals, one of which was a deadly snipe on the Norwegian goalie, and the other was him cutting to the net showcasing how fearless he can be. All in all an impressive performance.

2024 WORLD JUNIORS CHAMPIONSHIP – December 29th, 2024 Game Recaps

Adam Tate — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 15:15:15 +0000

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - DECEMBER 29: Juraj Pekarcik #19 of Slovakia celebrates his first period goal against Norway with teammates, Dalibor Dvorsky #15, Alex Ciernik #22, Milan Pisoja #3 and Luka Radivojevic #11 in Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship at Frolundaborg on December 29, 2023 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/IIHF)

Slovakia 8, Norway 4

With a day off yesterday after beating Switzerland 3-0, Slovakia came into today’s game ready to play. From the drop of the puck, it was clear that they had a speed and skill advantage over Norway. Slovakia was down early with Norway’s Michael Brandsegg-Nygard scoring just over three minutes into the first period. They tied the game up about 10 minutes later with Samuel Honzek evening the score with a power play goal. Juraj Pekarcik would score for Slovakia less than a minute later and they would never look back. They broke the game open in the second period with five goals. Dalibor Dvorsky had a very strong game with four points (two goals and two assists). The aforementioned Brandsegg-Nygard (2024 NHL Draft eligible) had a three-point game (2 goals and one assist) and was Norway’s Player of the Game. Norway would need both their goaltenders in this game. They didn’t dress Markus Stensrud, choosing to save him for tomorrow’s game against Switzerland, as that could be a relegation game.

Finland 4, Latvia 0

Finland needed a better result today after having lost to Germany on Wednesday to avoid any potential relegation scenarios. They got the job done in a must-win game against Latvia. Finland’s Captain, Jere Lassila factored in on all of their goals with a goal and three assists. He wasn’t going to let Finland continue to slide down the standings in Group A. Konsta Helenius, the hyped 2024 NHL Draft eligible player, had another quiet game, only hitting the scoresheet with a penalty in the third period. Latvia’s scoring struggles continued this game and they haven’t scored in any of their three games in the tournament so far. Even combining their two drafted players, forwards Dans Locmelis and Sandis Vilmanis, they still struggled to find consistent offense. Their goaltender, Deivs Rolovs, was the Player of the Game for Latvia despite giving up four goals as he stopped 39 of 43 shots. Without Rolovs, this game would’ve been much worse for Latvia.

USA 4, Czechia 3 (Shootout Win)

The closest game in terms of score today, USA edged Czechia in a shootout to win their game 4-3. Isaac Howard would start the scoring with the first goal of the game, and he ended the game with the Shootout winner in the 7th round. The goals were equal in each period but the play was not. USA had the run of play in the 1st, outshooting Czechia 15-5 and looking more dangerous overall, including a couple of good shorthanded chances. The game favored Czechia more in the 2nd period as they held the shot advantage (12-9) and had the only power play of the period. The 3rd and overtime settled nothing, though USA had the most chances in OT, so the game went to a shootout. USA must win their game against Slovakia in order to win Group B as they only collect 2 points for the win today.

Sweden 2, Canada 0

This was the marquee matchup of the day and it did not disappoint. Sweden and Canada played an intense back and forth game with both teams wanting to show the fans in attendance that they were the best team in Group A. Both goaltenders, Hugo Havelid for Sweden, and Mathis Rousseau for Canada, made tremendous high danger saves. The forward groups showed a lot of skill and speed. The defence for both teams were tenacious and hard hitting. It was the kind of game you hope to see from this tournament.

Swedish defenceman Tom Willander opened the scoring in the second period with a nice rush up the ice and used a Canadian defenceman as a screen to score. Noah Ostlund would score on a rebound from a Jonathan Lekkerimaki shot from the blue line. Canada would have a couple of power play opportunities after those goals, but Havelid shut the door. Rousseau played his best game for Canada so far with some outstanding saves. Sweden has yet to be scored on in the tournament through three games.

Three Stars of the Day

#1 - Dalibor Dvorsky - Forward - Slovakia

The 10th overall selection by the St. Louis Blues in the 2023 NHL Draft finally factored into Slovakia’s scoring with four points today (2 goals, 2 assists). He was a play driver for his line and pushed Norway to their limit. His first goal to make it 3-1 was a rush to the net on the power play where he turned the defenceman and made a move across the crease to open up the goaltender. His second goal was a rush down the middle of the ice with a nice wrist shot after he crossed Norway’s blue line, using the defenceman as a screen. Anytime Dvorsky was on the ice he was beating Norway with speed and strength, and they had no answer for him.

Honorable Mention goes to Servac Petrovsky who also had a four-point game and is now leading the tournament in scoring.

#2 - Jere Lassila - Forward - Finland

The Finnish Captain had his best day in international play to this point in his career today. Factoring in on all four of Finland’s goals in a must-win situation to avoid having to deal with relegation is the best way to lead by example. He would not let Finland lose today. His goal opened the scoring of the game and came on the power play. He was positioned in front of the net and banged home a rebound. Two of his three assists also came on the power play as he was a key factor in that situation. He played 19:06, leading all Finnish forwards in ice time.

#3 - Mathis Rousseau - Goaltender - Canada

Despite losing 2-0, Mathis Rousseau provided Canada with outstanding play in goal today. He made a number of incredible saves and kept Canada in the game. While only seeing 24 shots in the game, an average goaltending performance today would’ve resulted in a 4-0 or 5-0 win for Sweden. It’s hard to blame Rousseau for either of Sweden’s goals. On Tom Willander’s he was screened by his own teammate and didn’t see the shot until it was too late. On the second goal, Rousseau stopped two shots from Jonathan Lekkerimaki, including one where he was by himself in the slot, before giving up a rebound goal to Ostlund. I wouldn’t blame Rousseau for this goal either as Ostlund made a good play to get behind Canada’s defence and wasn’t accounted for when he scored. Rousseau was Canada’s best player today, and he deserves a star despite the loss.

MCKEEN’S 2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – Team and Player Predictions – Biggest Surprises

The McKeen's Scouting Team — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 12:31:13 +0000

The 2024 World Junior Championships are set to kick off on Boxing Day (December 26), with Gothenburg, Sweden hosting. Can Canada accomplish a three peat for the first time in over a decade? Can host Sweden capture their first gold medal in over a decade? Can the betting line favourites, the United States, live up to their high expectations? Members of the McKeen’s team have come together to bring you our predictions for the tournament.

Final Medal Standings Predictions

GOLD

USA - 5 votes

Sweden - 4 votes

Canada - 2 votes

SILVER

USA - 5 votes

Sweden - 3 votes

Canada - 2 votes

Slovakia - 1 vote

BRONZE

Canada - 5 votes

Czechia - 3 votes

Sweden - 2 votes

USA - 1 vote

Cutter Gauthier. Photo by Rena Laverty, USA Hockey.

Who Wins Tournament MVP?

Cutter Gauthier -3 votes

Jonathan Lekkerimaki - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Denton Mateychuk, Lane Hutson, Matthew Poitras, Rutger McGroarty, Ryan Leonard, Will Smith

Who Wins Best Forward?

Cutter Gauthier - 2 votes

Jiri Kulich - 2 votes

Jonathan Lekkerimaki - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Rutger McGroarty, Ryan Leonard, Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, Matthew Poitras

Lane Hutson of USA during the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship bronze medal game between USA and Sweden on January 5, 2023 in Halifax.
Photo: Simon Hastegård / BILDBYRÅN

Who Wins Best Defender?

Axel Sandin Pellikka - 5 votes

Lane Hutson - 3 votes

Denton Mateychuk - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Seamus Casey

Who Wins Best Goaltender?

Trey Augustine - 3 votes

Michael Hrabal - 2 votes

Hugo Havelid - 2 votes

Also receiving votes (1): Matthias Rousseau, Adam Gajan, Jacob Fowler, Niklas Kokko

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 27: Canada's Macklin Celebrini #17 celebrates with teammates during the Canada vs Switzerland Quarterfinal Round action at 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at St. Jakob Arena on April 27, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)

Which NHL Draft Eligible Prospect Has the Best Tournament?

Macklin Celebrini

“I know this is the obvious answer, given his status as a potential first overall pick, but it's the obvious one for a reason. He's going to be put in a position to earn significant ice time on a strong team, which isn't guaranteed of the other draft eligibles. I see him having a really strong round robin but expecting him to take over games in the medal round at such a young age might be a little too unreasonable.”

“One couldn't be faulted for making an argument that Konsta Helenius might be the guy here based on the fact that Celebrini has a lot more competition for prime offensive minutes on a team that should roll 4 lines more often than just about any participant in Gothenburg. But one look at Group A competition gives me reason to think Finland will have a hard time scoring. Canada, on the other hand, is put together such that opponents should be kept busy in so many ways that Celebrini will be able to take the bull of a 2nd line center role by the horns and run with it. That should include ample PP time as well. Whatever line he ends up pivoting, he'll be working with players who are used to generating offense. It's also a safe bet that Canada's defensemen will be solid with their breakout passes. Celebrini should show up in a scoring capacity and challenge for Canada's lead in production.”

“The obvious choice. Celebrini had a great camp, and his performance has secured him a top-six role on Team Canada. He's a dynamic talent who creates offence, has a ton of skill and plays the game at a high pace. He has the potential to have a great impact on the tournament and help Canada to secure a medal.”

“Macklin Celebrini is dominant on the Powerplay and produces at a goal per game pace solidifying himself at #1st overall.”

“Even with Matt Poitras joining Canada, Celebrini may still be the player with the best chance of having a dominant WJC tournament. He's been absolutely brilliant at BU and I see no reason for him to not continue that brilliance onto this big stage.”

“He's a hyper advanced hockey player for his age in all facets of the forward position, and he already knows how to excel against strong older competition. The Canadian coaches will give him opportunities to play his game and be himself, and he'll excel.”

Zeev Buium

“He’s going to play a pivotal role on the tournament's best roster and really establish himself as one of the best defenders in the 2024 draft class. His ability to control the pace of play from the blue-line is really going to help the Americans throughout the tournament.”

Adam Jiricek

“I think Adam Jiricek steps up and has a big tournament for Czechia. Just a perfect storm of a short tournament where a player who can struggle with consistency gets hot and plays a huge role on a team that isn’t a favourite but could still do some damage.”

Konsta Helenius

“I think Macklin Celebrini is the easy answer here as he's expected to be a catalyst for the Canadians, but Helenius is likely coming in as the 1C and arguably the top player for the Finns. I expect him to lead Team Finland in this event and likely be the offensive leader. Playing against men and excelling this season, Helenius will likely pop against U20 competition. Look for him to drive the Finnish offense, be a tournament leader in assists, and impress with his non-stop motor.”

Michael Brandsegg Nygård

“Tough, but gotta go with my boy Michael Brandsegg Nygård. I think he's going to be in the spotlight for Norway every game, which is something he isn't going to take lightly. I think he's going to rise to the occasion and be "the guy" and really turn some heads this tournament.”

What is the Biggest Surprise of the Tournament?

“This is probably not the answer that Canadians want to hear, but I think Canada ends up being a surprise disappointment. At one point they were the betting line favourite to win (if you are into that sort of thing), which I believe is unfair given the strength of some other nations in the tournament. The team draws both Sweden and Finland in the round robin. A loss to one or both of those nations would set up a quarterfinal matchup with one of Czechia or Slovakia, two teams which might scare me even more than Finland this year. I'm just not confident that this team will be able to score enough against the other top teams (even with the surprise addition of Matt Poitras), in addition to getting the kind of game stealing netminding needed to find success at the WJC's.”

“Latvia - they’re going to come into the tournament, make it to the Semi's and keep it close between the big dogs in their division. This is the deepest Latvia roster we’ve ever seen at the WJC and they’re going to be playing spoiler all tournament long.”

“Whereas part of me would like to mention Team Sweden simply because it's not easy to win this tournament at home in a country whose hockey media will be religiously following your every move for 3 straight weeks (and I'm thinking the Swedes will win gold anyhow!), I'm going to tip my hat on Czechia being the big surprise over the next few weeks. The team simply has everything necessary at all five positions to rather safely finish no less than 2nd in Group B play. In addition, the sheer amount of players currently competing - and excelling - in North America has me thinking they'll be able to give both the US and Canada a real run for their money, which was obviously already the case last winter. I've now got them facing Canada in the playoffs at some point. Lastly, my interior hockey energy radar is getting massive blips anytime I hear the name Jiri Kulich, as the AHL's top scorer among U20 players was not only a force last winter with his 7 goals and 9 points, but currently leads the entire AHL in goalscoring. With his determination and a shot like his, I'm thinking we'll be seeing him light the lamp a good 10-12 times in this tournament.”

“Team Slovakia - The Slovaks have brought a strong roster to Sweden, featuring eleven drafted players, including three 1st round picks and four second-rounders. They stood out at the last tournament, gave Canada a hard time in the quarterfinals and even had the best goaltender in Adam Gajan. The team is now more experienced (15 returnees) and hungry for success. Slovakia doesn't lack high-end talent (Dvorský, Mešár, Honzek) or top goaltending (Gajan) and I do believe they can medal this year. However, the absence of Juraj Slafkovský and Šimon Nemec raises concerns and the defense seems mediocre.”

“Latvia’s Sandis Vilmanis finishes top 15 in tournament scoring. I think Latvia’s top-heavy offense is dangerous enough that they’ll pile up some goals and hopefully make things interesting, even if they don’t challenge much in the Round Robin. Vilmanis is the centerpiece of any offensive creation on the roster.”

“Team Norway - The recently promoted Norwegian group will avoid relegation and could even avoid the relegation game altogether. They have some impressive pieces and a potential surprise star of the tournament in Michael Brandsegg-Nygård. We've seen some teams widely considered for relegation surprise before, and I think that Norway could be one of those teams that steals a big, shocking win in this event.”

“Norway, for once, doesn’t get relegated. Latvia and Germany are the ones fighting for relegation due to a surprise upset by Norway against an established team, snatching valuable points which end up being the difference.”

“Oliver Moore makes teams regret passing on him as he works his way up the USA lineup throughout the tournament and plays a big role in the State's success.”

“Hugo Hävelid; It won't exactly be a surprise for people who have paid attention to Hävelid and the hometown crowd in Sweden, but to a wider audience, the undrafted goaltender could come away as the breakout star of the tournament. Highly athletic, Hävelid will benefit from a formidable Swedish blueline as well as a reputation for raising his form as the stakes get higher.”

“The Czechs. I predict they will have a strong round robin, put up a great fight in a narrow losing effort in the semifinal against Canada or the United States, and then pull off a big upset of Sweden in the bronze medal game.”

“Jordan Dumais - we will witness his offensive prowess during this tournament.”

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – FLORIDA PANTHERS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #30

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 13:00:12 +0000

SUNRISE, FL - JANUARY 21: Grigori Denisenko #14 of the Florida Panthers skates during the game between the Florida Panthers and the Minnesota Wild at FLA Live Arean in Sunrise, FL on January 21, 2023. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire)

Top 20 Florida Panther Prospects

1. Mackie Samoskevich - RW

Selected 24th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Samoskevich has become the top prospect in the organization, thanks in part to the graduations of Anton Lundell and Spencer Knight. Samoskevich has been consistent in his development path, taking a step forward every season from his time with the Chicago Steel and throughout his NCAA career with the University of Michigan. His offensive awareness looks to be his greatest strength, from his navigation of the attacking zone to his ability to find teammates through traffic. He’s a competitive player, who has increasingly become more and more reliable at both ends of the ice. As has been the case since his draft year, he can hang on to the puck too long and get caught, but that seems to be lessening. He has the potential to be a 2C at the next level but may slide more comfortably into a 3C role.

2. Gracyn Sawchyn - C

Sawchyn is a cerebral pass-first center. He thrives when the puck is on his stick, always knowing what his next move with it should be, whether that's continuing to carry it himself for a while longer or moving it to a better-positioned teammate. His hands are top-tier, able to make opposing defenders look foolish, and he is very accurate and responsible with his passes, rarely forcing plays or turning the puck over. While he's not the fastest or most technically adept skater he keeps his motor revved high and his feet moving, which allows him to get a step ahead when he needs to, and he doesn't have to slow himself down at all to make his next move when he's carrying the puck in motion. Those are all advantages that he will need to maintain in order to survive the speed and physicality of the NHL, and how good of a job he does in that regard will determine where he'll settle into his team's lineup. He'll be a key piece for the Thunderbirds next year, maybe even as their first-line center, as they try to pull off the rare feat of winning back-to-back WHL championships.

3. Grigori Denisenko - LW

Drafted 15th overall way back in 2018, expectations were high for Denisenko and have remained fairly high ever since. It’s been a longer path than normal for the prospect, especially one drafted as high as him. He has remained a piece that the Panthers continue to have faith in and hold out for, despite him being in his third season in North America already with little sustained success to show for it. After a slow start in years one and two, he seemed to have taken a step forward last season with the Charlotte Checkers. He still has that skill that caused excitement years ago, especially with his quick hands and sharp turns, and he’s a firecracker on the ice. His decision-making can be concerning at times but has improved during his time in the AHL. At this point, his ceiling has dropped and it’s hard to see him as more than a bottom-six, contributing winger.

4. Justin Sourdif - RW

After two successful seasons in the WHL, Sourdif was rewarded with a selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, 87th overall. He continued a very strong WHL career for three more seasons, capping it off with a WHL Championship in 2021-22. Last season, he made the jump to the AHL where he didn’t pop as he had in the Dub, but he wasn’t far off either. The forward has a never-give-up attitude mixed with excellent speed, enabling him to win most races to the puck. His puck protection and possession are very strong, never wanting to give up the puck to his opponents. He’s also effective at both ends of the ice, making him even more dynamic. He has the makings of a solid third liner and a penalty-killer in the NHL but needs to build more strength and get more comfortable in the AHL first.

5. Aleksi Heponiemi - C

The wait for Heponiemi has been a very long one. Drafted way back in 2017, the forward has yet to truly break into the NHL, despite seeing time in the top league during each of the past three seasons. Heponiemi was a very exciting prospect heading into the draft, coming over to the WHL in 2016-17 and

winning Rookie of the Year. He played one more season with the Swift Current Broncos and put up a very impressive 118-points. He followed that with a big year in the Liiga, leading all rookies in points (46) before heading to the AHL in 2019-20. Heponiemi has struggled to truly find that dominance that he had in other leagues, looking more like a bottom-six contributor versus a potential offensive catalyst. He’s still a very strong playmaker, but his size (5-10”, 154 pounds) has contributed to his struggles in carving out an NHL role for himself. This summer, he signed with EHC Biel-Bienne in the Swiss National League and he remains unsigned by the Panthers as of this writing, putting his NHL future in serious question.

6. Michael Benning - D

Another player of smaller size in the Panthers system, Benning had a dominant career in the AJHL, leading the league in points from a defender in both of his seasons and being named the Top Defender in both the AJHL and CJHL in his final year. After being drafted in 2020, 95th overall, he made the jump to the NCAA with the University of Denver. After taking the first season to get comfortable, he found his way back to his dominating ways in 2021-22, leading Denver to an NCAA Championship and earning Tournament MVP in the process. The 5-9”, 181-pound rearguard truly shines in his transition game, dictating the play and pace of his team from his own end. He’s fearless with the puck and has a level of creativity that allows him to create chances in the offensive zone. The transition to the next level will be tough with his size, but he has the tools to succeed.

7. Evan Nause - D

Nause was a polarizing prospect throughout his draft year and that hasn’t changed as a drafted prospect. His draft year was solid, earning him a nod to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team and he then took a step forward when given an expanded role in 2021-22. His progression last season wasn’t as pronounced, but the Remparts were Memorial Cup Champions and Nause’s development is still on the right track and trending up. He has good size and looks like he could develop into a solid two-way presence. He reads the play very well, anticipating passes and cutting off lanes. He plays with a very calm demeanour. That can be an issue at times as he can appear to not play with urgency. He’s still fairly raw, but he has good mobility and the tools to be effective in his own end. He could be a bottom-of-the-line-up option that bounces between the AHL and NHL.

8. John Ludvig - D

After being passed over in the 2018 NHL Draft, the Panthers bet on Ludvig in 2019, selecting him 69th overall. He was coming off an 18-point season, more than double his previous total. In 2019-20, he returned to the Portland Winterhawks as the captain and exploded for a 62-point season and was named a First Team All-Star in the league. That was all the Panthers needed to see to sign him to his entry-level deal. Unfortunately, it’s been a tough road for the defender since then with several injury setbacks. He seemed on a path to be a physical, contributing rearguard who plays a mistake-free game. With his injuries and the impact on his development, it remains to be seen where he goes from here. Last season saw him get back on track a bit, so it’s up to the Panthers how they want to continue with his development.

9. Albert Wikman - D

There will always be a place in the NHL for steady, no frills, defensive defensemen, and Wikman fits that bill perfectly. He's a new age type of defender though, foregoing the outdated priorities of pugnacity and brawn in exchange for smarts and skating ability. Being able to defend an opposing player one-on-one is much harder than it looks, but you would never know it by watching him because he does it so confidently and casually. He always seems to be in control and has a very businesslike approach about his game. Pressure doesn't seem to faze him, and he rarely panics when the ice is tilted against his team. Without the puck he is very advanced with his positioning, angling and tie-ups, and when he does get it, he is capable on breakouts, as his outlet passes are clean and he's not afraid to skate it out himself. If he were a little bigger, a little more mobile, or a little bit of both, he'd project more as a number two defender than a number four, which is how he looks now. Wikman will never put up big point totals but will still make a positive difference in the win column.

10. Mack Guzda - G

The Panthers have Spencer Knight in net for the foreseeable future, but having another goaltender or two in the system is never a bad thing. Passed over through every NHL Draft he was eligible for, the Panthers signed Guzda as a free agent in February, 2022 while he was in the midst of a strong fourth and final OHL season, putting up a .915 save percentage. He stepped into the AHL last season and performed well as a rookie, playing fairly significant minutes. He’s intelligent, twice winning the Ivan Tennant Award as the Top Academic High School Player in the OHL. He’s got the size at 6- 5”, 216 pounds, the technical ability, and the ability to track pucks, and while he’s not going to be stealing Knights’ spot any time soon, he could fit well behind him moving forward.

11. Santtu Kinnunen - D

Florida had to be very patient with Kinnunen after drafting him in the 7th round of 2018. He finally came over to North America last year and the results were great as he finished second in defensive scoring for Charlotte. As an older prospect, the window of opportunity is probably small, but his puck moving ability is impressive and he could quarterback a powerplay in the future.

12. Logan Hutsko - RW

Even though Hutsko remains an RFA as of this writing and has signed in the SHL for the coming season, he remains someone to be hopeful for. The undersized forward has the skill, he just needs to gain confidence playing against men and the SHL should be great for his development.

13. Ryan McAllister - LW

One of the most sought after NCAA free agents this year, McAllister elected to leave Western Michigan after his freshman year. His playmaking ability and vision are his best assets and he could be a real diamond in the rough for the organization.

14. Marek Alscher - D

Alscher has a solid projection as a dependable stay-at-home defender because of his combination of length, mobility, and physicality. He will return to Portland (WHL) for a final junior season with the hope of improving his confidence with the puck.

15. Ludvig Jansson - D

The surprise of the WJC last year, Jansson came out of nowhere to be one of the tournament’s best defenders. Now he needs to show it at the pro level in the SHL where he has recently joined the Lulea program.

16. Jack Devine - RW

A strong complementary winger, Devine finds success thanks to a great motor and a high IQ. He is coming off of a great sophomore campaign at the U of Denver and will look to become one of the better wingers in the NCAA this season.

17. Sandis Vilmanis - LW

Blocked behind some other talented prospects in Sarnia last year, Vilmanis is primed for a breakout campaign in the OHL this year. The talent is there for the Latvian winger. Let’s see what he does with the opportunity.

18. Josh Davies - LW

Davies is like the “little engine that could.” He’s not the biggest, but he is among the fiercest in the WHL. He never takes a shift off and has developed a pest-like reputation. This year the Panthers will need to decide whether he has earned a contract and they’ll be looking for him to improve his offe nsive production to match his high energy approach.

19. Zach Uens - D

A Merrimack College standout, Uens’ first pro year was a disappointment as he failed to stick in the AHL full time and finished the ECHL season with a mere four points in 35 games. The physical tools are still very alluring, but he needs to have a better year to stay relevant.

20. Nathan Staios - D

The Panthers signed Staios after he won the Max Kaminsky trophy, as the OHL’s top defenseman in 2022. Unfortunately, the undersized blueliner struggled in his first pro year. His mobility is a major plus, but the decision making needs to improve for Staios to stick in the AHL this year.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #30 – Florida Panthers

Josh Bell — Fri, 12 May 2023 17:15:06 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 30^th

The Panthers emerged from a season of transition, which is an unusual position for the previous season’s President’s trophy winner to find themselves. For the 2022 playoffs, they pushed all their chips in to take a run at the Stanley Cup, clearing out the prospect pipeline and leaving themselves with only four picks in the top three rounds over the next three drafts. They were eliminated in the second round, after a mid-season coaching change as Joel Quenneville was suspended and Andrew Brunette took over. Paul Maurice took over the reins in the offseason, accompanying a seismic trade to add Matthew Tkachuck for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar as the main pieces involved. They were looking out of the playoffs by January as the retool took some time to mesh.

Since then, Tkachuck has emerged as one of the best players in the league and adds an element of fire and grit. The Panthers surged in the second half, and as of this writing, currently have the Maple leafs on the ropes 3-1 as of this writing. They will remain a threat with a core in their prime of Barkov, Tkachuck, Reinhart, Bennett, Verhaege, Duclair at forward and Ekblad and Forsling on defense, all 27-years old or younger. There is not a lot of imminent help from the prospect pool. Grigori Denisenko has been highly touted for years, but his development has stagnated. This coming season will clearly be a make-or-break on whether he is a regular NHL contributor or an AHL’er. They have graduated two promising prospects in Anton Lundell and Spencer Knight, so their window is much more open with their current group to grow together.

University of Michigan Ice Hockey team victory over Michigan State University,7-2, at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, MI on Nov.5, 2021.

Mackie Samoskevich

Selected 24th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Mackie Samoskevich has become the top prospect in the organization, thanks in part to the graduation of Anton Lundell and Spencer Knight. Samoskevich has been consistent in his development path, taking a step forward every season from his time with the Chicago Steel through to his NCAA career with the University of Michigan. His offensive awareness looks to be his greatest strength, from his navigation of the attacking zone to his ability to find teammates through traffic. He’s a competitive player, who’s increasingly become more and more reliable at both ends of the ice. As has been the case since his draft year, he can hang on to the puck too long and get caught, but that seems to be lessening. He has the potential to be a 2C at the next level but may slide more comfortably into a 3C role.

2. Grigori Denisenko

Drafted 15th overall way back in 2018, expectations were high for Grigori Denisenko and have remained fairly high ever since. It’s been a longer path than normal for the prospect, especially one drafted as high as him. He’s remained a piece that the Panthers continue to have faith in and hold out for, despite him being in his third season in North America already. After a slow start in years one and two, he seems to have taken a step forward this season with the Charlotte Checkers. He still has that skill that caused excitement years ago, especially with his quick hands and sharp turns, and he’s a firecracker on the ice. His decision-making can be concerning at times but has improved during his time in the AHL. At this point, his ceiling has dropped and it’s hard to see him as more than a bottom-six contributing winger.

3. Justin Sourdif

After two successful seasons in the WHL, Justin Sourdif was rewarded with a selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, 87th overall. He continued a very strong WHL career for three more seasons, capping it off with a WHL Championship in 2021-22. This season, he’s made the jump to the AHL where he hasn’t popped as he did in the Dub, but he’s not far off either. The forward has a never-give-up attitude mixed with excellent speed meaning that he wins most races to the puck. His puck protection and possession are very strong, never wanting to give up the puck to his opponents. He’s also effective in both ends of the ice, making him even more dynamic. He has the makings of a solid third liner and a penalty-killer in the NHL but does need to build some strength and get more comfortable in the AHL first.

4. Aleksi Heponiemi

The wait for Aleksi Heponiemi has been a very long one. Draft way back in 2017, the forward has yet to truly break into the NHL, despite seeing time in each of the last three seasons. Heponiemi was a very exciting prospect heading into the draft, coming over to the WHL in 2016-17 and winning Rookie of the Year. He played one more season with the Swift Current Broncos and had an impressive 118-point season. He followed that with a big year in the Liiga, leading all rookies in points (46) before heading to the AHL in 2019-20. Heponiemi has struggled to truly find that dominance that he had in other leagues, looking more like a bottom-six contributor versus a potential offensive catalyst. He’s still a very strong playmaker, but his size (5-foot-10, 154 pounds) has contributed to his struggles in carving out an NHL role for himself.

5. Michael Benning

Another player on the smaller size in the Panthers system, Michael Benning had a dominant career in the AJHL, leading the league in points from a defender in both of his seasons and being named the Top Defender in the AJHL and CJHL in his final year. After being drafted in 2020, 95th overall, he made the jump to the NCAA and the University of Denver. After taking the first season to get comfortable, he found his way back to his dominating ways in 2021-22, leading Denver to an NCAA Championship and earning Tournament MVP in the process. The 5-foot-9, 181-pound rearguard truly shines in his transition game, dictating the play and pace of his team from his own end. He’s fearless with the puck and has a level of creativity that allows him to create chances in the offensive zone. The transition to the next level will be tough with his size, but he has the tools to succeed.

6. Evan Nause

Evan Nause was a polarizing prospect throughout his draft year and remains so as a drafted prospect. His draft year was solid, earning him a nod to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team and then given an expanded role in 2021-22, he took a step forward. His progression this season hasn’t been as pronounced, but he is still on the right track and trending up. He has good size and looks like he could develop into a solid two-way presence. He reads the play very well, anticipating passes and cutting off lanes. He plays with a very calm demeanour. That can be an issue at times as he can appear to not play with urgency. He’s still fairly raw, but he has good mobility and the tools to be effective in his own end. He could be a bottom-of-the-line-up option that bounces between the AHL and NHL.

7. John Ludvig

After being passed over in the 2018 NHL Draft, the Panthers bet on John Ludvig in 2019, selecting him 69th overall. He was coming off an 18-point season, more than double his previous total. In 2019-20, he returned to the Portland Winterhawks as the captain and exploded for a 62-point season and was named a First Team All-Star. That was all the Panthers needed to see to sign him to his entry-level deal. Unfortunately, it’s been a tough road for the defender since then with several injury setbacks. He seemed on a path to be a physical, contributing rearguard who plays a mistake-free game. With his injuries and the impact on his development, it remains to be seen where he goes from here. This season has seen him back on track a bit, so it’s up to the Panthers if they want to continue with his development.

8. Mack Guzda

The Panthers have Spencer Knight in net for the foreseeable future, but having another goaltender or two in the system is never a bad this. Passed over through every NHL Draft he was eligible for, the Panthers signed Mack Guzda as a free agent in February 2022 while he was in the midst of a strong fourth and final OHL season where he had a .915 save percentage. He’s stepped into the AHL this season and performed well as a rookie playing fairly significant minutes. He’s an intelligent prospect, twice winning the Ivan Tennant Award as the Top Academic High School Player in the OHL. He’s got the size at 6-foot-5, 216 pounds, the technical ability, and the ability to track pucks, and while he’s not going to be stealing Knights’ spot any time soon, he could fit well behind him moving forward.

9. Santtu Kinnunen

It’s not too often that seventh-round selections pan out, but it appears that Santtu Kinnunen is well on his way. Drafted 207th overall in 2018, the defender remained in Finland until this season, bouncing between the Liiga and Mestis for two seasons before carving out a full-time role for himself with a new team, Tappara, for the past two seasons. At the end of his 2022 campaign, where he helped Tappara to a league title, he signed his entry-level deal with the Panthers. In his first season in the AHL with the Checkers, he’s fit in well as a top-four defender, contributing offensively and holding his own in his own end. He’s looking more and more like a player that could play in the NHL, as a solid, two-way, bottom-four piece. At the very least, he looks to be a solid AHLer who earns the occasional call-up.

10. Logan Hutsko

Yet another prospect coming out of the 2018 NHL Draft, the Panthers took a bit of a gamble selecting him 89th overall. From a fractured vertebra that nearly left him paralyzed to an injury to his left MCL and kneecap, he missed practically all of the 2016-17 season and wasn’t selected in the 2017 NHL Draft. He came back in 2017-18 to his first season at Boston College, where he was named Hockey East Rookie of the Year and helped lead the team to three Hockey East Championships in the next four seasons, although his final year was shortened with yet another injury. He joined the Checkers in 2021-22, where he does seem to be back on track, but the seriousness of his injuries is still a concern. If he ever gets a chance to play in the NHL, what a story that would be for the forward.

Sandis Vilmanis – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #30 Florida Panthers – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 30th (last year - 32nd) GM: Bill Zito Hired: September 2020 COACH: Paul Maurice Hired: June 2022

1. Gracyn Sawchyn, C, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

2. Jack Devine, RW, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

3. Sandis Vilmanis, LW, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

4. Linus Eriksson, C, Timra (SHL)

5. Shea Busch, LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

6. Matvei Shuravin, D, CSKA Moscow (KHL)

7. Marek Alscher, D, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

8. Kirill Gerasimyuk, G, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

9. Michael Benning, D, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

10. Simon Zether, C, Rogle BK (SHL)

11. Cooper Black, G, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

12. Mads Kongsback Klyvo, LW, Frolunda (SHL)

13. Arvid Drott, RW, Djurgardens (SHL)

14. Shamar Moses, RW, North Bay Battalion (OHL)

15. Hunter St. Martin, LW, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – FLORIDA PANTHERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #32

Florida Panthers Top-15 Prospects

1. Gracyn Sawchyn

2. Jack Devine

3. Linus Eriksson

4. Matvei Shuravin

5. Sandis Vilmanis

6. Michael Benning

7. Marek Alscher

8. Hunter St. Martin

9. Mads Kongsbak Klyvø

10. Arvid Drott

11. Shea Busch

12. Simon Zether

13. Shamar Moses

14. Kirill Gerasimyuk

15. Ryan McAllister

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: FLORIDA PANTHERS – Top 15 Affiliated Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – FLORIDA PANTHERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #32

Florida Panthers Top-15 Prospects

1. Mackie Samoskevich

2. Linus Eriksson

3. Matvei Shuravin

4. Gracyn Sawchyn

5. Justin Sourdif

6. Jack Devine

7. Sandis Vilmanis

8. Michael Benning

9. Simon Zether

10. Ryan McAllister

11. Marek Alscher

12. Josh Davies

13. Evan Nause

14. Ben Steeves

15. Wilmer Skoog

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #31 Florida Panthers

1. Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

2. Gracyn Sawchyn, C, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

3. Justin Sourdif, C/RW, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

4. Jack Devine, RW, University of Denver (NCAA)

5. Sandis Vilmanis, RW/LW, North Bay Battalion (OHL)

6. Michael Benning, D, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

7. Santtu Kinnunen, D, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

8. Ryan McAllister, C, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

9. Mack Guzda, G, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

10. Marek Alscher, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – December 30th Game Recaps + Three Stars

Switzerland 6, Norway 2

Latvia 6, Germany 2

Three stars

#1 Jonas Taibel - Switzerland

#2 Sandis Vilmanis - Latvia

#3 Rodwin Dioninco - Switzerland

2024 WORLD JUNIORS CHAMPIONSHIP – December 29th, 2024 Game Recaps

Slovakia 8, Norway 4

Finland 4, Latvia 0

USA 4, Czechia 3 (Shootout Win)

Sweden 2, Canada 0

Three Stars of the Day

#1 - Dalibor Dvorsky - Forward - Slovakia

#2 - Jere Lassila - Forward - Finland

#3 - Mathis Rousseau - Goaltender - Canada

Prospect System Ranking – 30th (last year - 32nd)
GM: Bill Zito Hired: September 2020
COACH: Paul Maurice Hired: June 2022

Prospect System Ranking – 30^th