[International Edition] Prospect Report (1/3)

(Sunrise, Florida)

With the Panthers latest success, enough has been said about the current roster which has been everything but familiar. A few months after the arrival of new General Manger Marcel Koch its about time to have a closer look on the prospect changes and additions the Panthers made during the off-season.

Compared to last season, prospect pool depth has increased significantly. But size doesn't matter, right? Of course it does. The Panthers had some good depth on the wing, but lacked both quality and quantity down the middle and at the defensive end. So the first task for the new management in charge was to add some depth where it was missing. And they did. The prospect pool of the Panthers franchise now looks more promising, having some quality prospects on each offensive side and at the blue line as well. 

However, even if size does matter it's not all about size, especially when you're trying to rate a prospect pool. In this episode we want to take a closer look at the Panthers wingers and the expectations that come along. 

Brendan Perlini

The first huge addition to the pool, British native Brendan Perlini was added being one of two prospects in the trade that dealt James Neal to the Wild. ​The 2014 first round pick has the speed, skills and toughness to be a threat whenever he is in puck possession but needs to develop his positioning as well as his defensive play. His last year with the Niagara IceDogs had some struggle offensively, however he will still likely turn pro next season and is expected to have an immediate impact.

There has been some speculations about Perlini being dealt for a first round selection given his up and downs in the past, but the Panthers lately announced that Perlini is expected to be the #1 winger in the near future and dealt Zemgus Girgensons instead. Therefore his asking price is likely around a high first round selection and "something on top" as GM Koch told the media earlier this year.

Rating: 
Sure-bet top six winger who can develop into a new James van Riemsdyk.

Alex Tuch

The other prospect added in the Neal-Deal was Alex Tuch, another 2014 first round selection. Tuch appears to fit the typical power forward role in a high skilled line being an impressive forchecker with one hell of a shot, but instead is a versatile player who can fit any role on the ice. Having already good speed for his massive size and plenty of talent to develop further he still needs to improve his hands and vision. Like Perlini, Tuch is expected to turn pro next season.

Because of the rareness of a big scoring winger with his skillset it's highly unexpected that the Panthers will deal him anytime soon. However, the asking price should still be around a first round selection or a current NHL roster player.

Rating:
Big, versatile winger who could be the meat and potato guy in any line of small framed high skilled forwards.

Alex DeBrincat

Being the only winger added in the 2016 draft (on position #21), DeBrincat is considered to be a decade player in the OHL. The pure sniper may be an undersized player, but due to the combination of an extreme small framed player with high speed skating he can be very nasty to play against. The highly productive scoring machine can play both wings and center and possesses excellent hockey sense and puckhandling skills. His effectiveness is beyond expectations and his powerplay performance should be a quality addition to any NHL squad.

There has been rumors that the Panthers management already refused a few offers (including several first round picks) right after the draft day. Due to extremely high expectations General Manager Koch has regarding DeBrincats impact it's expected that the asking price for him could be as high as two 1st round picks or something really close.

Rating:
A high risk pick because of his size, but if he can continue to deliver at the current level he could be the next Johnny Gaudreau.

Roope Hintz

Hintz, a second round selection in 2015, is one of few prospects that the new management in Florida relied on. The dynamic winger adds plenty of hockey sense and awareness to every squad. With his keen eye for scoring chances and teammates and his incredible hockey intelligence he can play both, playmaker or scorer. He possesses a hard shot, very good skating abilities and high speed, but needs to develop phisically and needs to work on his consistency. Will likely seek his chance in North America in two years.

The management of the Florida Panthers told the media that there had been no offers for Roope Hintz so far and that they "don't expect to trade him for picks". Therefore his current value should be nothing less than a young player of comparable talent.

Rating:
Another big, versatile winger with extreme hockey awareness and hockey IQ who could be a top six scorer or playmaker if he can add consistency.

Jens Lööke

Lööke is the other prospect winger not traded by the new management. The 2015 third round pick is a smart two-way-player and hard working winger. Unlike Roope Hintz he lacks ideal size and yet needs to work on his finishing skills but Lööke is a tremendous playmaker who combines smooth skating with plenty of puckhandling skills and a sneaky shot.

There are some sources saying that Jens Lööke had at least be discussed in several trade talks with the new management. This means that Lööke - if being dealt at all - could be the missing piece in a bigger trade package sooner or later.

Rating: 
Solid but underrated two-way player who needs to develop physically. Can be a middle-six winger if he can add some scoring.

Samuel Dove-McFalls

Being the last addition on the wing, Samuel Dove-McFalls rounds off the Panthers offensive prospects. The 2015 4th round pick is a powerfully-build player who plays a tough two-way game. He is not considered a scorer although his numbers improve each season in the QMJHL, but he does the hard and nasty things that needs to be done in every hockey game.

The Panthers management dealt for Dove-McFalls because they wanted to close the gap of forward checkers in the current prospect pool. Even if considered not of extremely high value those kind of players got rare in prospect reports lately but are still needed in every organisation. However, due to the high frequency of trades in the Panthers organisation and Alex Tuch sharing the same benefits and turning pro even earlier, Dove-McFalls could likely be dealt in a package before turning pro.

Rating:
Solid bottom-six checker if he can continue to increase his numbers.