2015 NHL Mock Draft: Florida Panthers First Round Pick

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL division for FanSided continues with the 2015 NHL Mock Draft.

With our first round pick, the eleventh overall, the Florida Panthers select… defenseman Ivan Provorov from the Brandon Wheat Kings! With a blue line featuring the sensational rookie Aaron Ekblad and arguably the second best defenseman in the draft Provorov, the Florida Panthers will have a pair of elite blue liners to build their future around.

When I look at the teams in the Conference Finals, they are built around deep and talented blue lines. The Rangers blue liners perfectly complement their forwards. The Lightning have an embarrassment of riches on their blue line. The Blackhawks most clutch performer in the playoffs? Duncan Keith. The Ducks blue line might lack the stars, but they are deep and they are talented. By drafting Provorov, the Panthers are on the right track to adapting to this strategy.

So Why Should The Florida Panthers Select Provorov?

The Florida Panthers biggest need is a first line scoring wing to complement Nick Bjugstad and a hopefully healthy Brandon Pirri. Jonathan Huberdeau is a nice fit, but he plays so well with Aleksander Barkov, it’s clearly best for the Florida Panthers if that dynamic duo stays together. While I do think that at least one of those types of forwards were available with the 11th pick, I’m a firm believer in drafting the best player available. Drafting for need in the NHL is difficult and usually unwise to do because if you want to draft for need, you must think two or three years ahead. When you think you have a surplus at a position, two years later, you’ll sometimes find that surplus isn’t quite the surplus you thought it was. If you have a surplus? Fantastic, that’s a great problem to have! If you really have *that* big of a surplus, you can always move someone from your surplus to get what you need. Provorov was the best player available for the Florida Panthers.

Provorov has a very strong offensive game. He is very aggressive on offense and isn’t afraid to lead the rush. His skating and puck handling skills are quite a sight to behold, as you can see from the video below.

There is much more to Ivan Provorov’s game than just his offense. The Florida Panthers could be getting a two-way defenseman.

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"Provorov shows outstanding defensive skill as well, and if you take away the times he gets caught up the ice, has the potential to be a really good two-way defenceman. He is strong positionally, and reads the play very well. He understands how to use his stick to cut down passing lanes and his body to block shots. He is also showing improved strength and clearing the front of the net extremely well and in winning battles along the boards, though he can continue to work on adding muscle to his frame. While he isn’t one to throw big hits, he isn’t afraid of the physical play and board battles, and he will take a hit to make a play when necessary.In terms of ceiling, Ivan Provorov has the potential to be a top pairing defender in the NHL, but still has some things to work on before he gets there. He doesn’t seem as NHL ready as Noah Hanifin, and will likely need another year in junior, but the ultimate ceiling may be just as high. Provorov’s style is reminiscent of Drew Doughty, however this is not a talent comparison, but merely a stylistic one. – Last Word On Sports"

The Florida Panthers are getting someone who one could argue was the second best defenseman in the draft. I think his ceiling might actually be higher than Hanifin’s because Provorov can do things on offense that Hanifin can’t do. The Florida Panthers have no reason to have character concerns or worry about Provorov leaving for the KHL. It won’t happen. He’s been in North America since the age of 14. I think that shows a lot of character because I can’t imagine how difficult that transition was for him to make. He made that transition seamlessly. He wouldn’t have come to North America at such an early age to leave for the KHL. He seems very committed to playing in the NHL.

2015 NHL Mock Draft: Florida Panthers First Round Pick

The NHL division for FanSided continues with the 2015 NHL Mock Draft.

So Why Should The Florida Panthers Select Provorov?

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