Panthers 2016 Draft Review

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Panthers 2016 Draft Review

Post by Panther »

Michael McLeod
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Starting Attributes: (77) 58 35 46 | 30 31 27 | 56 62 (68) | 71 60 56 | (85) > 46 29 52
Projected Atty's >>: (77) 78 85 85 | 78 70 81 | 86 78 (68) | 85 78 83 | (85) > 83 76 82
Position: Center
From: Mississauga Steelheads "A" (OHL)
Born: 1998-02-03 Mississauga, ON
Nation: Canada
H/W: 6'2 - 187
Shoots: Right
Jersey: #9
Drafted: 10th Overall (1st)

Analysis:
On a team densely populated with skill players, Florida drafts a complimentary piece to the puzzle, but sure to be a mainstay core player in the near future. The large 18-year old makes liberal use of his size and speed to force opposition and works hard in the corners. He won't be lost among the deep skill the Panthers have as his best skill is seen in puckhandling. McLeod has an all-around foundation that translate well into any situation.

Type of player: Power Forward
Line-up projection: 2nd Line Center
Comparable: Ryan Getzlaf



Noah Gregor
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Starting Attributes: (66) 24 31 34 | 29 37 63 | 53 48 (86) | 55 40 36 | (73) > 29 43 46
Projected Atty's >>: (66) 86 62 76 | 83 90 88 | 83 71 (86) | 97 76 69 | (73) > 75 87 79
Position: Center
From: Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Born: 1998-01-28 Beaumont, AB
Nation: Canada
H/W: 5'11 / 174
Shoots: Left
Jersey: #22
Drafted: 47th Overall (2nd)

Analysis:
After trading for this pick with next year's 2nd, Panthers take 2nd Power Forward Center in a row. A team that desperately needs defensive depth and a lot of forward prospects this is a peculiar pick, but it brings more grit to an otherwise completely skilled lineup. Gregor has a long way to go before he becomes NHL-ready but is very competitive. His best asset is his skating, but otherwise he plays very simple. A lot relies on the coaching and developing staff to bring this kid up to speed.

Type of player: Power Forward
Line-up projection: Top 9 Center
Comparable: Dustin Byfuglien



Noah Carroll
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Starting Attributes: (87) 40 32 43 | 51 54 67 | 45 34 (74) | 27 74 72 | (65) > 38 57 52
Projected Atty's >>: (87) 64 64 64 | 99 96 67 | 75 67 (74) | 60 80 80 | (65) > 64 84 73
Position: Defense
From: Guelph Storm (OHL)
Born: 1997-12-02 Strathroy, ON
Nation: Canada
H/W: 6'1 / 179
Shoots: Left
Jersey: #44
Drafted: 70th Overall (3rd)

Analysis:
This pick was an auto for the Panthers. At the table after the pick was made, Wyatt downplayed the question if he was upset with the choice by saying, "I'm proud to welcome him aboard. He plays unconventionally and I think it's the next evolution of the game. The team needs what he can bring." More specifically, Carroll brings smart defensive play with offensive upside. If he reaches his potential, he'll be a prime candidate for any team's Penalty Kill. His one knock is that he refuses to hit opposing players. "It's just not my style. I'm more effective if I don't think about it." On a team with highly physical defensive players, Wyatt's acceptance of the auto picked Noah Carroll marks a change in thought in the front office.

Type of player: Stay at home defender
Line-up projection: Top 6 with No.1 PK minutes
Comparable: Diet Bouwmeester? Matt Niskanen?
Last edited by Panther on Sun Aug 07, 2016 12:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Panther

Re: Panthers 2016 Draft Review

Post by Panther »

Joey Anderson
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Starting Attributes: (74) 64 40 45 | 43 43 66 | 44 49 (77) | 41 63 68 | (71) > 49 50 54
Projected Atty's >>: (74) 73 62 73 | 69 84 92 | 89 77 (77) | 72 77 92 | (71) > 69 79 77
Position: R/L
From: Minnesota-Duluth - USNTDP (USHL)
Born: 19/6/1998, Fridley, MN
Nation: USA
H/W: 5'11 / 190
Shoots: Right
Jersey: #7 / #39
Drafted: 100th (4th)

Analysis:
The 3rd "Power Forward" prototype pick made by Florida. Judging by the age of their forward group, not a bad choice, but one has to wonder what kind of projection Buckley is aiming for. Regardless, Joey shows a lot of promise as a thorn in any team's proverbial craw. Makes a habit of throwing frequent body checks but his small frame makes it difficult to edge out the larger, stronger players. If he puts in the work, he could be an effective checker with scoring upside.

Type of player: Power Forward
Line-up projection: Bottom 6 HaG Winger
Comparable: Small Justin Abdelkader



Jacob Cederholm
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Starting Attributes: (73) 35 34 23 | 54 56 62 | 58 51 (66) | 21 74 56 | (74) 30 57 51
Projected Atty's >>: (73) 50 50 50 | 84 85 65 | 79 75 (66) | 57 92 85 | (74) 50 78 71
Position: D
From: Jököping, HV71 (FIN)
Born: 30/1/1998, Helsingborg
Nation: Sweden
H/W: 6'4 / 187
Shoots: Right
Jersey: #7 / #39
Drafted: 100th (5th)

Analysis:
Florida finally takes a defender in the 5th round (by choice). This time they pick a familiar build in Florida, a stay at home physical defender. The Swede uses his massive 6'4" frame well enough against opponents but prefers to play a sound positional game which needs work. A very similar style to Noah Carroll with more physical edge and a less-impressive, more rounded defensive game. He put up numbers in Sweden but that may not translate as well to the tight-checking and more physical NHL.

Type of player: Stay at Home Defender
Line-up projection: Top 6, PKer
Comparable: Trevor Daley



Luke McInnis
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Starting Attributes: (45) 59 52 50 | 51 49 59 | 65 61 70 | 46 45 58 | (71) > 53 53 56
Projected Atty's >>: (45) 80 47 47 | 74 77 79 | 74 71 70 | 59 64 57 | (71) > 58 76 66
Position: D
From: BC, NCAA (USHL)
Born: 29/7/1998 Hingham, MA
Nation: AMERICA
H/W: 5'11 / 174
Shoots: Left
Jersey: #3 / #5
Drafted: 160th (6th)

Analysis:
Another undersized defender. McInnis's game is a bit raw and in need of refining. At lower levels he has been able to succeed in using his body to separate opponents from pucks but will have to become well-versed in the intricacies of his position to make an impact at the NHL level. Same can be said for his offensive game which in BC earned him over a point per game. Though he possesses great skating ability his free-wheeling style might hurt him more than help at the NHL level. A long-term prospect with two-way upside.

Type of player: Two-way defender
Line-up projection: Bottom 4
Comparable: Morgan Rielly




Mitchell Balmas
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Cannot find smaller picture. Don't care enough to resize.
Starting Attributes: (62) 67 45 52 | 55 58 54 | 62 52 (82) | 42 79 56 | (66) > 54 55 59
Projected Atty's >>: (62) 85 58 62 | 65 80 69 | 82 67 (82) | 68 82 68 | (66) > 68 71 71
Position: L/R
From: Montreal Rocket, QMJHL
Born: 1998/3/19 Sydney, NS
Nation: Canadia
H/W: 5'11 / 168
Shoots: Left
Jersey #22
Drafted: 190th (7th)

Analysis:
Good skating scoring forward. Scores goals in bunches. Too comfortable relying on teammates to set him up in Junior. Long-term.

Type of player: Sniper
Line-up projection: Bottom 6 scorer
Comparable: Sad Michael Ryder
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