Last Updated:  2010 Jan 19
Each player is projected on making it to
the NHA on a grading scale of 1-10.
PLAYER LEGEND - (HIGHLIGHT COLOUR DEFINES LEAGUE PLAYING IN)

Playing in the N.H.A.
Playing in the N.H.A. Farm League
Playing in N.A. Development League (Prospect)
Playing in the NCAA or other Amateur League (Prospect)
Playing in Europe (Prospect)
Florida Panthers

Organization Ranking  (22)
              Change  (n/c)
Top Prospects
Other Notables
Graduated
Summary Strength Even Weakness
       
Goaltending     XX
Defense   X  
Centers   X  
Wingers     X
Drafting     X
Draft Picks     XX
Left Wing Center Right Wing
1) Lauri Korpikoski  7.0 C 1)  Martin Hanzal  8.0 C 1)  Enver Lisin  7.5 C
2)  Tomas Zaborsky  7.0 D 2) Blair Jones  6.5 C 2)  Garth Murray  5.5 B
3)  Slava Trukhno  6.5 D 3) Bradley Malone  6.5 C 3)  Tomas Pospisil  6.5 F
4)  Tomas Plihal  6.5 D 4)  Ryan Potulny  6.5 C  
5)  Josh Beaulieu  5.5 C 5) Andrei Taratukhin  7.0 D  
6)  Steven Regier  6.0 D 6) Philippe Dupuis  6.0 C  
     
Defense (L) Defense (R) Goaltenders
1)  Nathan Oystrick  6.5 B 1)  Ian White  7.0 C  
2)  David Schlemko  6.5 C 2)  Alexandre Plante  7.0 C  
3)  Jay Harrison  6.0 C    
     
     
     
Fredericton
Cats
Draft Review  -  Florida Panthers                                                                                                              by Robert Michaud

Transactions (leading up to and throughout the draft):

     OUT:  Matthias Ohlund (D); Martin Straka (C); David Tanabe (D)

     IN:      Enver Lisin (RW); Tomas Zaborsky (LW); Slava Trukhno (LW); 5th Round Selection in 2010 (from Avangard)

The Florida Panthers were forced to move Matthias Ohlund, as it was likely that they would not have been able to keep him in free agency, and they obtained a few depth prospects in return.  More significantly, GM Bagnato was able to acquire the young speedster, Enver Lisin, in return for some veteran players who did not figure into the team's future plans.

Organizational Weaknesses (prior to Draft):
     Top 6 forwards; Goaltending depth

NHA Draft Preview Prediction:     No 1st Round selection
Actual Result:                                 No 1st Round selection

2007 NHA Entry Draft Selections
     Alexandre Plante, D      (WHL)     [2nd Round (54th Overall)]
     Bradley Malone, RW     (USHL)     [4th Round (111th Overall)]

The Florida Panthers will need to undertake a solid rebuilding effort soon as their pro team is aging significantly. With only 2 picks in the draft, GM Bagnato picked up a player for each of their main void postions; on right wing Florida added the rugged and talented Brad Malone and on the back end they added defensive defenseman Alex Plante. The Panthers will need to address their development system sooner rather then later, or risk falling behind other clubs in their division.

Possible draft-day steals:     Too early to predict
   1)  Martin Hanzal, C
        Acquired:  from Hurricanes
   2)  Enver Lisin, RW/LW
        Acquired:  from Wildcats
   3)  Nathan Oystrick, D
        Acquired:  Free Agent signing
   4)  Ian White, D
        Acquired:  NHA Dispersal Draft
   5)  Alexandre Plante, D
        Acquired:  54th OV, '07 Draft
   6)  Lauri Korpikoski, W/C
        Acquired:  from Hurricanes
   7)  Blair Jones, C
        Acquired:  from Roadrunners
   8)  David Schlemko, D
        Acquired:  Free Agent signing
   9)  Bradley Malone, C/W
        Acquired:  111th OV, '07 Draft
10)  Ryan Potulny, C/LW
        Acquired:  NHA Dispersal Draft
11)  Tomas Zaborsky, LW
        Acquired:  from Avangard
12)  Andrei Taratukhin, C
        Acquired:  NHA Dispersal Draft
13)  Garth Murray, W/C
        Acquired:  from Muskies
14)  Philippe Dupuis, C/RW
        Acquired:  Free Agent signing
15)  Jay Harrison, D
        Acquired:  NHA Dispersal Draft
16)  Slava Trukhno, LW/C
        Acquired:  from Avangard
17)  Tomas Plihal, LW/C
        Acquired:  Free Agent signing
18)  Josh Beaulieu, LW/RW
        Acquired:  Free Agent signing
19)  Steve Regier, LW
        Acquired:  118th OV, '04 Draft
20)  Tomas Pospisil, RW
        Acquired:  189th OV, '05 Draft
 
 
 
     Matt Ellis, LW
     Jamie Lundmark, LW
     Maxime Ouellet, G
     Jordan Sigalet, G
     Nolan Yonkman, D
2009/06/01  Florida Panthers - Facing the Future
The Florida Panthers are presently a highly competitive, veteran-laden NHA organization. After an inaugural season that saw the club among the worst teams in the fledgling NHA, a management change resulted in a run to the Stanley Cup finals. Last season ended in heartbreaking fashion when Florida missed the playoffs but had more points than three post-season bound clubs in the other conference. The Panthers strength is their stellar young netminder, Henrik Lundqvist, who will be the face of this franchise in the seasons to come. The philosophy upon which this team was built did not include the luxury of retaining many high-end prospects, which has resulted in a lack of overall quality at most positions and a dangerous lack of depth at all but the center position.

Left Wing - There are a few players in the system who could one day play left wing for Florida but the odds are against it happening; Lauri Korpikoski and Tomas Plihal may see NHA action but are unlikely to make a big impression.

Center - The Panthers have some talent to look forward to at the center position, namely Rostislav Olesz and Martin Hanzal; the skillsets of both of these players indicates that they should become Top 6 forwards as they mature.

Right Wing - There is not much to look forward to here as the right wing position is almost entirely devoid of young talent.

Defense - The defense corps presently in Florida can hold it's own with any other club, led by Zdeno Chara and filled many other skillful rearguards (Ohlund, Kalinin, Bergeron, Leopold, Boynton). There aren't many young blue-chip blueliners though, and this will have an adverse impact within a few seasons.

Goaltending - This is the one position where the Panthers have no worries. Henrik Lundqvist is already showing that he is going to be among the best young netmiders in the league, so one can only guess the heights to which he'll reach in the future. There aren't any other young netminders of note at present but, in this area at least, Florida appears to have the luxury of significant time before they will need another goalie.
Panthers 2006 Draft Review

Pantherss 2005 Draft Review

Panthers 2004 Draft Review