Florida Panthers: 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Forward Rankings

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 F – Honorable Mentions

BUFFALO, NY – MAY 30: Jakob Pelletier poses for a portrait at the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine on May 30, 2019 at the HarborCenter in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – MAY 30: Jakob Pelletier poses for a portrait at the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine on May 30, 2019 at the HarborCenter in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)

46. Matias Maccelli / LW / L / OCT 00 / Dubuque / USHL

Ilves next year. The biggest question I still have is: can he be this headsy and control play like a defender outside the USHL? That was the main part of his game this season and his ceiling depends on that skill translating. His defensive effort could improve, as well as having more zone entries. Played a ton of minutes.

47. Jakob Pelletier / LW / L / MAR 01 / Moncton / QMJHL

Scrappy playmaking winger. Solid at getting open on the breakout but that’s all the defense to expect. Solid vision and compete but not sure he can consistently drive play with the puck to make up for no high-end skills.

48. Yegor Afanasyev / W / L / JAN 01 / Muskegon / USHL

Windsor in OHL next year. Good hands and edges for his size. Plays high in the zone on PP and at 5v5 like a high slot sniper. He struggled to get open and get the puck back in his second USHL season, which is why I am lower on him than most.

49. Ilya Altybarmakyan / W / R / SEP 00 / Morozova / MHL 

A good goal scorer who is best in the dots and below in the offensive zone. Everything else is a work in progress. He has good athleticism and his brother was a third-round draft pick of Chicago.

50. Elmer Soderblom / W / L / JUL 01 / Frolunda / SuperElit

Full disclaimer, haven’t seen any game film from 2019. 6’7” and his hands are above average. It’s clear he is far from a finished product so this is a complete late-round flier.

Stay tuned for our next piece, which will break down the prospect rankings for defenders and goaltenders for the 2019 NHL Draft.

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