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Florida Panthers Prospect Patrick Bajkov Has Untapped Potential

By Colby Guy

EVERETT, WA - JANUARY 06: Forward Patrick Bajkov (8) of the Everett Silvertips follows the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Portland Winterhawks on January 6, 2018 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, WA. Portland defeated Everett by a final score of 4-3. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EVERETT, WA - JANUARY 06: Forward Patrick Bajkov (8) of the Everett Silvertips follows the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Portland Winterhawks on January 6, 2018 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, WA. Portland defeated Everett by a final score of 4-3. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Florida Panthers found a diamond in the rough, as undrafted free agent Patrick Bajkov has been showing fans why they should be excited about his future.

The Florida Panthers knew what they were getting when they signed skilled winger Patrick Bajkov of the Everett Silvertips. Bajkov is Everett’s leader in goals (112), assists (176), and points (288) and brings a lot of excitement to the table for the Cats.

Bajkov is a similar player to one of the best players who came out of the 2016 draft class, the draft class Bajkov was supposed to be drafted in when nobody called his name. That player is Mathew Barzal.

Yes, comparing him to one of the best young players in the league is a bit of a stretch, but the way he plays the game is somewhat similar to the aforementioned above. They are both fluid skaters and distributors of the puck, which Bajkov showed he’s able to do in his five seasons in the WHL.

When you watch these player’s teams play, you know they are the best player on the ice in the way they dominate everything that happens on the ice. They handle the puck at an elite level, they have great hand-eye coordination, and they can distribute the puck and put it in the net unlike most other players in the league can.

I see a lot of this in Bajkov, who looks to be starting next season with the Springfield Thunderbirds. If Bajkov feeds off of his 100 point season last year, he could potentially find himself a spot on the NHL roster by the end of the year, which I highly doubt it happens this season.

At the very least, I see Bajkov being NHL ready in 2-3 years, as the Panthers have a massive logjam in the forward position, and have more forward prospects coming up in Henrik Borgstrom, Sebastian Repo, and Owen Tippett among others, but Bajkov ranks high on my list among them.

In my eyes, the worst Bajkov could be would be a third line winger, which would be a very nice addition to the Panthers’ bottom six in years to come. He could be the best player on his line, or he could be a beneficiary of Aleksander Barkov if it comes down to it.

The 6’0″, 183lb winger has enough size not to be bullied off the puck, yet small enough to be one of the faster players in the Florida Panthers’ lineup. If he fills out a little more, expect him to incorporate more of a net-front presence in his game; although, I see him more as a playmaker than someone who uses his body to score goals like an Anders Lee would.

Next: Florida Panthers Should Hold Onto Nick Bjugstad For Now

Patrick Bajkov has all of the tools necessary to become a key player in the Panthers’ lineup for years to come, whether it’s as a premier player or a nice depth piece. Bajkov will find a way to make a name for himself in Sunrise for years to come.

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