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Florida Panthers: Five Defensemen to Select with the 13th Pick

By Daniel Janicas

KELOWNA, BC - DECEMBER 18: Philip Broberg #25 of Team Sweden skates against Team Russia at Prospera Place on December 18, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
KELOWNA, BC - DECEMBER 18: Philip Broberg #25 of Team Sweden skates against Team Russia at Prospera Place on December 18, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /
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With little depth on the blue line in the Florida Panthers’ minor system, the team should draft a defenseman in the first round.

SUNRISE, FL – JUNE 26: General Manager Dale Tallon (R) and Chief Executive Officer and owner Vincent Viola of the Florida Panthers look on from the draft table during Round One of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center on June 26, 2015 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL – JUNE 26: General Manager Dale Tallon (R) and Chief Executive Officer and owner Vincent Viola of the Florida Panthers look on from the draft table during Round One of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center on June 26, 2015 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) /

As obvious to many, if not all, the Florida Panthers are quite thin at the back when you reach inside the cupboard. Luckily for them, this draft class (particularly the first round) is well-versed with defensemen from all over who can step in and play as early as the second half of next season.

You’re probably wondering why I’m not even considering any forwards in this piece who could possibly slide a few ranks into the Panthers’ hands.

In case you’re one on that side of the fence, it’s simple: defense is a primary need heading into the offseason, and what better way to address this issue than to go through the cost-efficient route by selecting a defenseman with your 13th pick.

After all, there’s a lot of choice with d-men in the first round the Panthers simply cannot afford to pass up on. At this point, while drafting luxury entities like Spencer Knight or Peyton Krebs (if he slides) would feel nice in the moment – but when you think about it long and hard after the moment – it just wouldn’t make sense.

Of course, the Panthers will probably sign a defenseman or two this summer, and possibly acquire one via trade, but why not start off with the cost-efficient option in drafting not only a defenseman but one that could potentially play on the top pair.

Without further ado, I now present to you the five defensemen who the Florida Panthers could select with their 13th pick.

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