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Florida Panthers: 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Defense + Goalie Rankings

By Thomas Krulikowski

KELOWNA, BC - DECEMBER 18: Philip Broberg #25 of Team Sweden skates with the puck 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 with the puck against Team Russia at Prospera Place on December 18, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /
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Tier A –  #1 or #2 Defender Potential

Florida Panthers
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) /

1. Philip Broberg / L / JUN 01 / AIK / Allsvenskan

Broberg is the most unique defender in this draft. In his age group, he dominated with and without the puck. He struggled to dictate as much as a rookie in a good professional league. The potential is through the roof and the basement is a top-four defender who is good in his own end, can skate, is big, and transitions the play well. If my Brent Burns gut feeling is right, the prevailing skepticism at the moment will be viewed as nitpicking in a few years.

2. Ville Heinola / L / MAR 01 / Lukko / Liiga

If popular comparisons to Miro Heiskanen are true, the position here and in my top 31 is not overzealous. Heinola is a good mix of settling smarts and aggressive pace. Precision QB in the offensive zone, even 5v5. Defensively, Heinola’s active stick and edge work allow him to pressure his opponents persistently. Entering and exiting the zone is no problem. Heinola is just south of six-foot but that’s the only concern to raise (if there is one).

Must Read. Three Under-the-Radar Free Agent Forwards to Pursue. light

3. Victor Soderstrom / R / FEB 01 / Brynas  / SHL

Soderstrom’s wide stance allows him to patrol the blue line offensively or around the net defensively. Elite game processing with an above average, rounded tool set. Most of the praise will be for his offensive potential but respect how turnkey and efficient his defensive play is. Simply put, Soderstrom is the type defender I’d want to be or aim to add to my team’s core.

4. Bowen Byram / L / JUN 01 / Vancouver / WHL

Byram is basically a 4th forward, a rover on the ice. In the CHL, he can get away with that but I want to see it at a higher level before saying he is hands down the top of the class. His goal scoring touch is top end for the draft, with only Honka as close comparable.

His skating is top end for this class as well. His playoff run was absurd. But his big flaws are without the puck and in the defensive end, which is why he’s at the bottom of this tier. If the 20-goal offense doesn’t peak, he may not be a top-four defender.

Like with all my rankings, the players inside this tier are pretty interchangeable based on style preference and the team’s need. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Byram end up being the best pick of the bunch.

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