Following multiple successful seasons in the OHL, former first-round pick Owen Tippett will likely start the 2020 season with the Florida Panthers. What can we expect from Owen Tippett in his rookie season at the NHL level?
The prolific sniper was previously selected by the Florida Panthers with the 10th overall selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Essentially, Tippett produced outstanding results offensively in his draft year for the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL.
In 60 games for the Steelheads during the 2017 season, Tippett recorded a sensational slash line of 44G, 31A, for 75 points. In addition, Tippett was astonishing during the 2017 OHL playoffs, registering a dominant line of 10G, 9A, for 19 points in 20 playoff games.
In essence, Owen Tippett earned himself the label of “pure sniper” during the 2017 Draft. Following an impressive showing in training camp and preseason action, Owen Tippett would actually start the 2018 season with the Florida Panthers.
However, Tippett would experience some notable struggles in his limited playing time at the NHL level. Before returning back to the OHL, Tippett recorded only one goal and zero assists in 7 NHL contests.
Essentially, Tippett required further development, which explains why he didn’t remain with the Cats during the 2018 season.
Despite playing fewer games with Mississauga, Tippett actually improved his overall playmaking ability and developed in a positive manner.
In only 51 games, Tippett recorded another outstanding slash line of 36G, 39A, for 75 points, establishing himself as a more polished playmaking winger.
After the Steelheads were eliminated in the first round of the OHL playoffs, Owen Tippett would join the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL for the remainder of the 2018 pro-hockey season.
In 5 AHL games, Tippett recorded a goal and an assist, while also tacking on a plus/minus rating of +2.
The Panthers decided another year in the OHL would be highly beneficial for Tippett’s overall growth and development.
He would play for two different teams in the OHL during the 2019 campaign but experienced a high level of success nonetheless.
In 23 games for the Mississauga Steelheads before being traded, Tippett recorded a phenomenal line of 19G, 14A, for 33 points as well as a +7 rating.
Later in the OHL season, the Mississauga Steelheads would send Owen Tippett to the Saginaw Spirit in a major blockbuster trade.
In 31 games for the Spirit, Owen Tippett recorded a superb tally of 14G, 27A, for 41 points and a +21 rating, thus validating himself as a premier talent in the OHL. Additionally, Tippett was completely dominant during the 2019 OHL playoffs for the Saginaw Spirit.
In 17 OHL playoff games, Tippett produced a highly adequate line of 11G, 11A, for 22 points, hence proving that once again, he does possess star level potential.
Furthermore, Tippett certainly impressed for Team Canada during the 2019 World Junior U-20 Championships Tournament.
In 5 games for Team Canada, Owen Tippett recorded a line of 2G, 2A, for 4 points as well as a +5 rating. Since being drafted in 2017, Tippett has continually improved in various aspects, thus transforming himself into a top NHL prospect.
In essence, Tippett remains a lethal goal scorer, but can also skate quite smoothly and set up his teammates exceptionally well.
Also, Owen has improved defensively and has turned himself into more of a two-way player. Objectively speaking, Tippett is quite frankly a top three prospect in the Panthers’ system.
After proving himself in the OHL, the Florida Panthers should provide Owen Tippett with an opportunity at the NHL level.
The 20-year-old, dynamic winger could immediately slot on the third line alongside talented forwards Henrik Borgstrom and Frank Vatrano.
The aforementioned trio would form a miraculous third line, producing quality results on both ends of the ice.
Ultimately, the future is undoubtedly bright for Owen Tippett and the Florida Panthers. The Cats should let Tippett start the season in Florida and give him a role in the top 9 to see if he can flourish at the NHL level offensively.