Florida Panthers Top Prospects

A look at the Florida Panthers top prospects heading into the 2015-16 season. The write ups for the Panthers prospects are from mid-season, updating the progress of some of the Panthers top prospects.

Lawson Crouse: Left Wing - 6'4" / 215
Drafted: 11th overall to the Florida Panthers in 2015
No other player in the 2015 NHL draft created more debate regarding his rankings than Crouse. Some mock drafts had him as high as a top five pick, others late in the first round. When the dust settled, the host city Florida selected Lawson Crouse with the 11th overall pick.

Crouse impressed in his first look at rookie and training camps, and while many believed his size and defensive responsibility could allow him to immediately begin his NHL career, Florida decided to return him to the Kingston Frontenacs for the start of the OHL season.

Crouse was one of the returning players to Team Canada for the WJC, but Canada failed to medal, let alone repeat as Gold medal Champions. Despite team failure, Crouse played a much larger role and went from checking line energy player to contributing offensive threat with five points in five games.

In 25 regular season games with Kingston, Crouse has 10 goals and 28 points. The Frontenacs are tops in the East and are poised for a long post season. This will in all likelihood be Crouse's last OHL season and he should get a brief end of season pro audition before making the leap full time next year.

Mike Matheson: Defence - 6'3" / 205
Drafted: 23rd overall to the Florida Panthers in 2012

Arguably the Panthers top prospect, Matheson is in his rookie pro season with the Portland Pirates in the AHL and has carried his NCAA success to the pro ranks.

In 31 games, Matheson has modest offensive totals with three goals and ten points, but sports an impressive plus -12.

His NHL debut will not be far off and coupled with Aaron Ekblad, Eric Gudbranson, Dmitry Kulikov, and Ian McCoshen. The Panthers blueline is in very good hands for the foreseeable future.

Ian McCoshen: Defence - 6'3" / 218
Drafted: 31st overall to the Florida Panthers in 2013

McCoshen has returned to Boston College for his junior season and has been named Alternate Captain.

His offensive game is not developing, but that’s a small concern as his game is predicated on his high hockey IQ, size, skating and defending ability.

McCoshen is likely to return to BC next season to complete his academic career before jumping to the pros.

Write-up by Peter Harling, on Twitter @PHarling

2015 Draft
1 11 Lawson Crouse (L) - Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
3 77 Samuel Montembeault (G) - Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
3 88 Thomas Schemitsch (D) - Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
4 102 Denis Malgin (C) - Zurich (Swiss-A)
5 132 Karch Bachman (L) - Culver Academy (Indiana H.S.)
6 162 Chris Wilkie (R) - Tri-City Storm (USHL)
7 192 Patrick Shea (C) - Kimball Union (Minn. H.S.)
7 206 Ryan Bednard (G) - Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)

2014 Draft
1 1 Aaron Ekblad (D) - Barrie Colts (OHL)
2 32 Jayce Hawryluk (C) - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
3 65 Juho Lammikko (F) - Assat (Finland Jrs.)
4 92 Joe Wegwerth (F) - U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
5 143 Miguel Fidler (L) - Edina (Minn. H.S.)
7 182 Hugo Fagerblom (G) - Frolunda (Sweden Jrs.)

2013 Draft
1 2 Aleksander Barkov (C) - Tappara Tampere (SM-liiga)
2 31 Ian McCoshen (D) - Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
4 92 Evan Cowley (G) - Wichita Falls Wildcats (NAHL)
4 97 Michael Downing (D) - Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
4 98 Matt Buckles (C) - St. Michael's Buzzers (OJHL)
5 122 Christopher Clapperton (L) - Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
6 152 Josh Brown (D) - Oshawa Generals (OHL)
7 206 MacKenzie Weegar (D) - Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

Florida Panthers Top Prospects
Rk	My NHL Trade Rumors	The Hockey News	Corey Pronman ESPN	Hockey Prospectus	Hockey's Future	Dobber Prospects	NHL.com
1	L. Crouse	L. Crouse	L. Crouse	L. Crouse	M. Matheson	M. Matheson	L. Crouse
2	M. Matheson	M. Matheson	M. Matheson	M. Matheson	L. Crouse	L. Crouse	M. Matheson
3	I. McCoshen	I. McCoshen	R. Grimaldi	I. McCoshen	I. McCoshen	R. Grimaldi	R. Grimaldi
4	R. Grimaldi	A. Petrovic	J. Hawryluk	K. Rau	R. Grimaldi	V. Trocheck	I. McCoshen
5	J. Hawryluk	J. Hawryluk	I. McCoshen	R. Grimaldi	J. Hawryluk	A. Petrovic	J. Racine
6	K. Rau	R. Grimaldi	D. Malgin	J. Lammikko	A. Petrovic	J. Hawryluk
7	M. Downling	S. Montembeault	K. Rau	J. Hawryluk	K. Rau	I. McCoshen
8	S. Montembeault	Q. Howden	M. Downing	E. Cowley	C. Brickley	S. Montembeault
9	J. Lammikko	M. Downling	J. Lammikko	J. Brown	S. Montembeault	C. Clapperton
10	J. McFarland	C. Knight	S. Montembeault	T. Schemitsch	Q. Howden	Q. Howden