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Florida Panthers: 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Forward Rankings

By Thomas Krulikowski

KOSICE, SLOVAKIA - MAY 21: Kaapo Kakko #24 of Finland during the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Slovakia group A game between Finland and Germany at Steel Arena on May 21, 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia. (Photo by Lukasz Laskowski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)
KOSICE, SLOVAKIA - MAY 21: Kaapo Kakko #24 of Finland during the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Slovakia group A game between Finland and Germany at Steel Arena on May 21, 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia. (Photo by Lukasz Laskowski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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Tier D – Top 9 Forward Skills

BUFFALO, NY – JUNE 1: Antti Saarela #85 and Patrik Puistola #105 await testing alongside Seth Spicer (on left) and Dan Marr, Director of NHL Scouting, during the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine on June 1, 2019 at Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – JUNE 1: Antti Saarela #85 and Patrik Puistola #105 await testing alongside Seth Spicer (on left) and Dan Marr, Director of NHL Scouting, during the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine on June 1, 2019 at Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) /

23. Antti Saarela / W / L / JUN 01 / Lukko / Liiga

Saarela and Holmstrom could be flipped here probably, even across tiers. Saarela I could sell myself on if only because his brother Aleksi was one of my Whyhockey picks that took off with proper development. High-end offensive instincts and precision with the puck. He maintains possession well and has a quick release.

24. Tuukka Tieksola / RW / R / JUN 01 / Karpat / Jr. A

A sub-six-foot playmaking winger. Common in this draft but TT’s stats showed he dominated creating shots for his teammates consistently. Should transition well to Karpat pro next year. He reads the pace of play very well and manipulates it to create his own seams. Smooth hands and a solid finisher in his own right who should shoot more as he matures.

25. Arseni Gritsyuk / LW / L / MAR 01 / Omskie / MHL

The last name is a hockey dream, and even kinda describes the prospect’s playing style. Gritsyuk has good pace and handles with a nose for the net and a strong stick. May not be a high IQ player but he has good instincts, aggressiveness, and athleticism.

26. Yegor Spiridonov / C / R / JAN 01 / Magnitogorsk / MHL

Most of the plays he made were eclipsed by his linemates (Sheshin and Dorofeyev) but he is the reason they ticked most games. He likes to be in the middle of the play and work give-and-goes to his wingers, throwing picks with his body. Spiridonov ended the year producing more and showcasing good hands in tight and around the crease. He should be given the talent to play within the KHL next year. German Rubtsov-esque.

27. Karl Henriksson / C / L / FEB 01 / Frolunda / SuperElit

Henriksson is a low-risk center prospect (if you don’t look at his size). He wins draws, plays through the middle of the ice, and has a strong shot. He’s active and noticeable in good ways every shift and helps out his wingers and defenders. He has value if you don’t think the offense translates. He backchecks, kills penalties, and he thinks the game well.

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28. Nathan Legare / RW / R / JAN 01 / Baie-Comeau / QMJHL

Legare racked up 45 goals on a good offensive team this year. He’s an exciting player with a low center of gravity and a big shot. He is a counter strike styled scorer who likes to be the high forward in the zone. He could work on his vision a bit more, especially since he took more draws by the end of the year and could be a potential center.

29. Yegor Serdyuk / RW / L / JUN 01 / Victoriaville / QMJHL

“Psyduck” as I like to call him. The undersized rookie doesn’t look like much but Serdyuk finds himself in the right spot enough to be on the All-Rookie Team, having the most goals and points by a rookie. He creates his own seams on the PP with movement. 5v5 he doesn’t hold onto the puck as much as you’d expect. He gets it, he does something with it. On and off the tape. He would be a tier higher if he could dominate more shifts.

30. Henri Nikkanen / C / L / APR 01 / Jukurit / Liiga, Jr. A

Didn’t play 15 games for one team this year, but a few handful of games for a few teams and leagues. At his age group, he is a defensively strong, playmaking top-six C. His skating stride and the way he carries himself gives him more power and speed than you’d think. I don’t knock him as much as others there. The only concern is offensive potential: is the creativity there to score in the hardest league? It’s really hard for me to tell. In his age group, his playmaking is high-end enough but his shot and finishing remain to be seen. Being a true C over 6’2″ is a bump in value this draft.

31. Alex Beaucage / W / R / JUL 01 / Rouyn-Noranda / QMJHL

Another big paddler, push the pace guy from the Q like Legare. On the young side for the draft which gives him a higher ceiling. An accurate shot that doesn’t take too long to get off. Good skating mechanisms, and a real smooth set of hands even if the dangles aren’t there and it’s more push, pulls, drags with the puck.

32. Leevi Aaltonen / LW / L / JAN 01 / KalPa / Jr. A

A play driving, small winger with a longer stick and great passing and handles. I like his pace and creativity and think he has better team play and decision-making than some other similar prospects on and off this list. He has good skating and plays with emotion. A reason he’s at the bottom of this tier is this type of winger is a common commodity this draft.

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