READING, PA – The Florida Panthers once again missed the playoffs but due to having the third worst record in the NHL the Panthers have the third pick overall in the upcoming NHL Entry draft. The Panthers were ranked 28th in offense, 19th in defense, 15th in face-offs, 29th on the power play and 23rd on the PK. The Panthers got most of their scoring from the center position. Four of their top five scorers patrol the middle of the ice. Overall the Panthers had three players with 20 or more goals and four more with at least 14, two of them were left wingers, one a right winger in Radek Dvorak. Defensively Jason Garrison and Ville Koistinen were solid along the blueline and Bryon McCabe was fourth on the team in points. The team has a couple of quality defensive prospects in Keaton Elerby and Colby Robak. Both could make the team next season and could solidify a blueline for years to come. Tomas Vokoun and Scott Clemmensen were a solid one-two punch in net. The Panthers also have one of the top goaltending prospects going in Jacob Markstrom. The Panthers don’t have too many issues with their own free agents. Garrison is the only one who needs to be resigned but he is an RFA so chance are hes not going anywhere. In our mock draft, we see Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin gone by the third selection which will leave the Panthers with plenty of options. While taking a defenseman might not be the sexy pick the Panthers could have one of the best defensive corps for years to come if Florida decides to draft either Cam Fowler or Erik Gudbranson. Fowler is considered to be the more offensive-minded defenseman with Gudbranson in the mold of a Chris Pronger type of d-man. Gudbranson’s stock rose all year and Fowler was ranked third by most scouting services all year long.
The Panthers moved Jay Bouwmeester at last year’s draft. But this year they will take someone who could do what Bouwmeester did for years on the Panther blueline. No matter who the Panthers take they should get a quality defenseman with the pick so expect the Panthers management to make the following announcement come draft day.
“With the third pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Florida Panthers proudly select, from the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League, defenseman, Cam Fowler.” To learn more about Cam Fowler click on his name
Contact the author at Brian.jennings@prohockeynews.com
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