What does AHL call-up Logan Shaw bring to the Panthers?

With Aleksander Barkov out of the lineup due to a hand injury, and Jaromir Jagr out day-to-day with a lower body injury, the Florida Panthers have turned to their AHL affiliate in order to add some forward depth to their pro roster. Winger Logan Shaw got the call-up to the NHL last night, and could make his NHL debut over the weekend.

Shaw’s promotion from the Portland Pirates to the Florida Panthers is an interesting one, especially since he hasn’t necessarily shown NHL potential over the course of his development. The 76th overall selection at the 2011 NHL Draft only averaged a point per game in the QMJHL once (his last season of junior eligibility), and only mustered 25 points in 69 AHL games last season.

So what type of player did the Cats just add to their roster? Shaw stands at 6’3″, and weighs 204 lbs, and plays a power forward’s game. His scouting report from Hockey’s Future adds the following:

Shaw is a big winger who does not hesitate to use his frame to his advantage but is more than a checking line winger. He is willing to absorb punishment at the top of the crease or engage in puck battles along the boards and is a strong skater with a willingness to drive to the net, Shaw can also help out on the penalty kill. Steadily adapting to the pace and higher skill level of pro hockey, he has shown flashes of the playmaking ability he displayed in junior hockey and is scoring more consistently in his second AHL season.

So we can at least assume that Shaw is a decent two-way power forward, with limited offensive upside.

The 23-year-old has been playing well in Portland so far, and leads the team with 19 shots on goal. Maybe he’s improved the offensive aspect of his game, but for the most part, it looks like Logan Shaw is just going to be a player who fills in for injuries until the rest of the roster gets healthy.

What do you think about the Panthers calling Logan Shaw up to the roster? Did you expect someone else? Let us know in the comments! 

Next: Florida Panthers Prospects Report

More from The Rat Trick