Panthers hope to hit jackpot with 11th pick
Whereas the Panthers have stocked their roster with young talent after using a top-three draft pick in four of the past five seasons, this year’s improvement earned them a not-so-sexy 11th pick in Friday’s first round of the NHL draft at the BB&T Center.
However, history shows that the 11th pick can turn into a game-changing player, such as future Hall of Fame right wing Jarome Iginla, who was available at that spot for the Dallas Stars in 1995 and now has 589 career goals.
While the Panthers have never had the 11th pick, they have chosen at No. 10 on three occasions, including taking franchise stalwart Radek Dvorak in 1995, one ahead of Iginla.
They also tabbed winger Michael Frolik at No. 10 in 2006 and defenseman Keaton Ellerby in ’07. Frolik did pot 21 goals in each of his first two seasons with Florida, and has since turned into a solid third-or-fourth-liner with the Blackhawks and Jets. Ellerby couldn’t crack the Panthers’ top-six blue line on a regular basis and was traded to the Kings in 2013. He’s now toiling in the Jets organization.
There have been other notable No.11s, including the Predators’ choice in 2012 when they selected forward Filip Forsberg, who was leading the Calder Trophy rookie race until a secondhalf slump. He still would’ve led the Panthers with his 26 goals and 63 points this season.
Arguably, the best two other players chosen at No. 11 since the inaugural 1963 draft have been Kings forwards Anze Kopitar (2005) and Jeff Carter (2003 by the Flyers), who have combined to score 501 goals while hoisting two Stanley Cups with Los Angeles.
Unless the Panthers trade up, they’re unlikely to have a shot at this year’s three projected can’t-miss centers — Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and McDavid’s teammate at Eerie (OHL), Dylan Strome. They’re all expected to be gobbled up by the fifth pick.
However, General Manager Dale Tallon and scouting director Scott Luce still believe they can land an impact forward at11, preferably
NHL draft
When/where: TV: Schedule:
Tickets:
Arrive early to get in:
Panthers picks:
Who’s No. 1?:
Other activities: Friday —
Post-draft fun: a right Meier.
The premier right wing prospect, and most NHLready, seems to be Finland’s Mikko Rantanen, a great fit for the Panthers who already have fellow Finns Aleksander Barkov and Jussi Jokinen on the roster. However, Rantanen, 18, who scored 29 points in 56 games in the Finnish elite league (TPS), is expected to be taken by either the Devils at No. 6 or Flyers at No. 7.
The Flyers and Devils are desperate for a top-six offensive forward after finishing 21st and 28th respectively in goals-per-game last season.
It’s possible that Meier, can slip past Columbus, San Jose and Colorado at Nos. 8, 9 and 10 because all three of those teams finished outside the top 20 in defense (25th, 24th, and 22nd respectively). Meier, a sturdy 6-foot-1, 209-pound player, dominated the QMJHL with 90 points, including 23 power-play goals.
“Timo’s a strong winger, mature physically and could play a varied role on an NHL team,’’ Luce said. “He complements skill players, has a great hockey IQ, a quick release and knack for scoring big goals on big stages.’’
If Meier is off the board, a few mock drafts have the Panthers taking right-handed center Mathew Barzal, a transplanted Dutchman who notched 57 points for
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Timo Seattle of WHL; or possibly left wing Kyle Connor, who had 80 points, including 34 goals, for Youngstown of the USHL.
“Barzal is a creative, passfirst centerman with offensive instincts,’’ Luce said. “Connor is a speedy winger that is equal parts passer and scorer, and probably has the most room for improvement physically.’’
Even if there are no Iginlas or Kopitars at 11, perhaps the Panthers could bolster their broadcast booth, as colorful radio voice Randy Moller was the 11th pick of the 1981 draft by the now defunct Quebec Nordiques.
Home opener set
The Panthers will open up the 2015-16 season at the BB&T Center on Oct. 10 against Philadelphia, and two days later they will be the Flyers’ opponent for their home opener in the Wells Fargo Center. The entire NHL schedule will be released Thursday at 10 a.m. ... Contrary to reports, a league source said the Panthers have no interest in Blackhawks left wing Patrick Sharp, whom Chicago is dangling to shed his $5.9 million salary-cap hit. The source also indicated that the Panthers aren’t interested in disgruntled Leafs high-scoring winger Phil Kessel and his $10-million price tag.