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.