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

With little depth on the blue line in the Florida Panthers’ minor system, the team should draft a defenseman in the first round.

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.

Philip Broberg (AIK IF/Allsvenskan)

Many mock drafts see Philip Broberg falling between picks 8-12, listed as the second-best defenseman (behind Bowen Byram) heading into this draft class.

In the event that Broberg slides past the No. 12 pick (owned by the Minnesota Wild), the Panthers need to forget about everything else and select the 6’3″, 201-pound Swede.

Broberg is regarded as a two-way defenseman with a high hockey IQ. His skating is smooth, which allows him to move the puck with confidence and stay in position at all times in the defensive zone.

His stats were by no means the flashiest this year with AIK IF of Allsvenskan (Sweden’s second-highest league), but his game translates further beyond the stat sheet. In 41 games AIK IF in the second division, Broberg put up 2G, 7A, for 9 points.

Florida Panthers

While this may seem like an underwhelming stat line, factor in that Broberg is only 17 years of age, playing against men. With AIK J20 of the SuperElit (Sweden’s highest junior league), Broberg recorded point-per-game figures, tallying 8 points (2G & 6A) in 8 games.

None of his success with the junior team came as surprise to many, considering Broberg’s natural talent at such a tender age. Next season (2019-20), Broberg will take his talents all the way up to Sweden’s first division (SHL) with Skellefteå AIK.

The Panthers need a two-way defenseman who prides himself at getting pucks out successfully to the forwards and someone who’s always in the right position at all times.

Broberg checks off both of these wants, and in the event that he does happen to fall below No. 12, the Panthers would be foolish to pass up on such a well-rounded defenseman.

After all, according to Curtis Joe of Elite Prospects, not only does Philip Broberg possess elite mobility and hockey sense, but he could very well turn out to be the most complete defenseman in this draft class.

With all signs indicated on Broberg’s talent and potential, the 17-year-old fits the description that a team like Florida needs and is a player who could step into the league (if he chose to) as early as next season.

It’s unlikely that he’ll fall past twelfth, but if he does, don’t be surprised if Dale Tallon selects the Örebro native with the 13th pick.

Victor Söderström (Brynäs IF/SHL)

Like Broberg, Victor Söderström is regarded as a two-way defenseman who loves to jump up in the rush and is capable of playing a responsible defensive game.

Unlike Broberg, though, Söderström is expected to fall within the Panthers’ draft range, giving the team an alternative in the event that Broberg is selected before the Cats are on the clock.

Regardless of what happens with Broberg, Söderström is definitely a respectable option and a player who could really improve the Panthers’ blue line.

In addition to his sound defensive awareness and smooth skating ability, Söderström is also a dangerous puck carrier, according to Curtis Joe of Elite Prospects. He can blow a puck by you from any zone and has a great point shot to go along with that, too.

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This past season, Söderström played with Brynäs IF of the SHL, taking part in 44 games and recording 4G, 3A, for 7 points altogether.

His tally, like Broberg’s, may seem underwhelming at face value, but when you consider that Söderström is only 17 years of age playing against men in Sweden’s top league, it’s quite impressive that he cannot only just compete against this level of competition, but that he can also dominate as well.

For me, it’s Söderström’s (and even Broberg’s) game away from the puck that impresses me the most. Söderström is capable of playing “neat and tidy” in his own zone, which is something the Panthers desperately need.

Even better, Söderström isn’t afraid to get physical on and off the puck and has a degree of physicality to his game which Panthers fans would love from a defenseman.

At 6’0″, 183 lbs, Victor Söderström would not only make a fantastic second option to draft behind Broberg, but taking into account what could go down on draft night, Söderström could be the one that the Panthers select at No. 13. And if that’s the case, then it’s a pick I would totally be happy with.

Söderström, like Broberg, is the complete package at the back who can do anything and everything with and without the puck. More importantly, he’s responsible defensively and would give the Panthers a reliable presence on the blue line for many years to come.

Moritz Seider (Adler Mannheim/DEL)

His game isn’t quite as polished as the aforementioned two, but Moritz Seider wouldn’t be a bad selection at No. 13. The 6’4″, 207-pound German native is a force to be reckoned with.

Due to his size, Seider isn’t afraid to throw his body around and is comfortable playing with and without the puck. He’s a pretty good skater and is a player who likes to jump in the rush from time to time.

To go along with his dominant presence, Seider presents himself as a solid defensive option and is often seen taking no prisoners when dealing with the puck in his end.

While he isn’t the flashiest of players on the ice, make no mistake, Seider sticks to what he knows best which is playing the body and getting the puck out of his zone efficiently and effectively.

Playing the 2018-19 season with Adler Mannheim of DEL (Germany’s highest division), Seider tallied 2G, 4A, and 6 points across 29 games.

His stats, like the previous two, may seem discouraging – but like I said before – Seider’s game away from the scoresheet paints a totally different picture.

If you’re looking for a defenseman who can lay the body, defend competently, and jump up in the rush in the occasional moment, then Moritz Seider is your guy.

Make no mistake, though, both Philip Broberg and Victor Söderström should undoubtedly remain No. 1 and 2 on the Panthers’ draft wish list. But, if for some reason that both are taken before the Cats hit the clock, then Seider would remain a safe choice at No. 13.

Ville Heinola (Lukko/Liiga)

Ville Heinola isn’t too far off from Moritz Seider, but considering that Seider is the better of the two defensively, that’s where the tossup (for me) stands.

Regardless, Ville Heinola is a different type of defender, standing at 5’11”, 181 lbs. The Finn displays strong vision offensively, and is able to create space and find open lanes for him and his teammates.

Heinola is also a fluid skater with tremendous edge work. His shot is by no means a cannon, but it’s accurate enough to catch any goaltender off guard. Additionally, Heinola loves to jump up in the rush and provide his team with that “fourth scoring option” that comes from the blue line.

Defensively, Heinola isn’t too bad and can defend one-on-one plays pretty well. However, because he lacks strength at this stage of his career and is a little undersized, he often struggles to win puck battles against his opponents.

More importantly, though, his defensive zone coverage could use some work as Heinola isn’t as defensively aware as the three players mentioned before.

His offense, however, is his bread and butter. In 34 games with Lukko (Liiga), Heinola put together a stat line of 2G, 12A, for 14 points. Against players his own age, Heinola mustered 9 points (1G & 8A) in 9 games with Lukko U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga).

Projected to land in the later stages of the first round, Ville Heinola would serve as an awesome selection around pick No. 20 and onwards.

Because the Panthers select before the midway point of the first round, it wouldn’t make sense for them to choose Heinola over the likes of Broberg, Söderström, or even Seider – who are all dubbed as better players.

Although, if Heinola finds himself unselected in the first round and drops to the second, maybe, just maybe, the Florida Panthers could acquire a second-round pick to scoop up the left-handed defenseman.

If all goes as planned for Ville Heinola, the product of Finland could turn out as a top-four d-man for many years to come.