Florida Panthers: Breaking Down Intriguing First Year Pro Class
The Florida Panthers signed 2015 draft pick Denis Malgin to an entry level contract on Monday. Malgin, a fourth round pick, 102nd overall, spend last year playing in the Switzerland Elite league, playing for Zurich ZC – the same team Auston Matthews played for.
In 38 games last year, Malgin recorded 17 points (5 G, 12 A) but showcased his true potential at the World Junior Hockey Championships, tallying another nine points (G, 8 A) over six contests.
Hockey’s Future describes Malgin as ‘a solid two-way player’, who ‘knows and thinks the game well.’
While they said his shot has plenty of room for development, they noted his ability to create offensively due to his creativity and skill.
It’s hard sometimes for the younger players to get the ice time needed to showcase their true skillset, or get the development needed to take the next step. A move over to North America into a developmental league, Malgin will get the ice time needed to showcase his skills.
Maybe not expected to join the professional ranks over in North America this early, Malgin joins a very interesting group of first year pros, all of which should get their start with the Panthers’ AHL affiliate.
Ian McCoshen
Maybe the most notable Panthers’ prospect set to embark on his first full professional season, the former second round pick in 2013 is coming off of three successful year’s at Boston College. Over 110 games with the Eagle, McCoshen registered 50 points (17 G, 33 A) to go along with his 197 penalty minutes – nearly two per game.
Known for his defensive and physical game, McCoshen could very well push for a spot on the NHL team out of training camp, but getting a full season at the AHL level may be more beneficial for his long term development.
The Panthers traded Erik Gudbranson this past offseason, and McCoshen certainly looks like a player who can fill his physicality role for the years to come. McCoshen, though, looks like he fits the role of the new-age shutdown defenseman, with his skating ability he should be able to keep up with the pace of the game, especially the Eastern conference.
Jayce Hawryluk
The former Brandon Wheat King is certainly an interesting player to keep an eye on this season after finishing up his career in the Western Hockey League. Drafted in the second round back in 2014, Hawryluk is known as an agitator with skill, and patterns his game after Brad Marchand and Brendan Gallagher Hawryluk exploded his final year of juniors, registering 47 goals and 59 assists in 58 games played. Over his 232 game WHL career, Hawryluk registered 276 points (117 G, 159 A).
It is remained to be seen if he is going to be a center or a winger at the professional level, starting in the AHL he could certainly start down the middle. With the Panthers depth at center, however, Hawryluk may make the shift over by time he makes it to the NHL.
Michael Downing
Another physical presence on the backend, like McCoshen, Downing was a fourth round pick in 2013 and spent three years at the University of Michigan honing his defensive game. In 105 games as a Wolverine, Downing recorded 54 points (11 G, 43 A) and 202 penalty minutes (1.92 PIM/G).
Hockey’s Future projects Downing to wind up as a “prototypical ‘hard-to-play-against’ defender”, an obvious theme with the new class entering the professional ranks for the Panthers. He signed a three year entry-level contract last year, and got into his first professional game last year with Portland, but this year will be his first full season.
Juho Lammikko
The team’s third round pick back in 2013, 65th overall, Lammikko has been said to be a ‘Jere Lehtinen-type forward’. After beginning back in Finland, Lammikko finished last season with the Kingston Frontenacs – his second with the team – and recorded 55 points (22 G, 33 A) in 59 games played.
A more recent comparison has been former first round pick Joel Armia but that is more due to body makeup and both being from the Assat hockey program back in Finland.
His offensive upside may limit his overall potential, but he should be able to contribute enough to be a two-way threat.
Dryden Hunt
Maybe one of the more intriguing first year pros who will start the year in the minors, Hunt exploded his final year in Juniors. After splitting 2014-2015 with the Regina Pats and Medicine Hat Tigers, scoring 83 points in 71 games, Hunt moved on to the Mosse Jaw Warriors and recorded over a point and a half per game.
In 72 games, Hunt scored 58 goals and 58 assists,
Undrafted, Hunt was free to sign with whoever he wanted
With the Panthers’ relocating their AHL affiliate to Springfield, it will certainly be an interesting team to watch, as plenty of long term interest will be developing their game there this season.