Going into the Expansion Draft, it’s very likely that the Florida Panthers will lose a defenseman. One player that could be called upon next season may be Ian McCoshen.
In case we lose a defenseman like Alex Petrovic or Mark Pysyk, it’s always good to have someone in the minors who can replace one of them. It’s clear that the Panthers may not protect Petro. Losing a defensive minded guy can possibly hurt our back-end. If that’s the case, Ian McCoshen can definitely replace either two of those guys.
Ian’s style of play is hard-hitting and purely defensive. He isn’t someone who will regularly score, but is a player who is reliable defensively. In 68 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida’s AHL Affiliate), he recorded 4 goals, 12 assists, combining for 16 points all together. For a defenseman who is strictly defensive minded, those numbers aren’t bad at all.
If he makes the team next year, putting up high numbers will not be expected of him. What will be expected is for him to add some more strength defensively, while also bringing more grit. Not only can Ian hit, but he can fight to. Standing at 6’3 and 217 pounds, McCoshen can definitely hold his own. Down below is a fight in which Ian took on Albany Devils forward
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Ian’s style of play resembles much of Alex’s play in the defensive zone. Both can hit, clear the crease, and properly defend. However, when you compare the two, McCoshen has the better potential to become the better player. Ian is a better skater, has a harder shot, and possess better puck skills than Petro. Both don’t offer much offensively, but if you were to compare between the two, McCoshen definitely has the mechanics to put up better numbers than Petrovic offensively.
McCoshen only played in three games this season with the Florida Panthers. In those three games he tallied one assist. Not good but not bad either, especially for a rookie. Since being drafted in 2013 (2nd round, 31st overall), he has spent the last 4 years developing his game in the minors.
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I truly believe that there isn’t a better time for Ian to make the big jump into the NHL. In those 3 games in which he played for us, he has shown that he has what it takes to become an NHL defenseman. Even if it means playing on the bottom line. Time will certainly tell with McCoshen, but in case we lose a defenseman in the upcoming Expansion Draft, Dale should look no further but to fill that opening with young Ian.