The NHL Draft is just a little over two weeks away, and the Florida Panthers currently hold the 9th overall pick. This year will be the second time in franchise history that they make their first selection at 9th overall, having taken Petr Taticek in that spot in 2002. Considering the depth of forward prospects in this year's draft class, there are several intriguing defensemen options available in the top 10 and throughout the first round.
In Scott Wheeler's latest NHL Mock Draft on The Athletic (subscription required), he projects the Panthers to select right-handed defenseman Daxon Rudolph. The 18-year-old from Lacombe, AB, CAN, is going to the University of Denver in 2026-27 after two seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL.
Heading into his draft year, Rudolph almost doubled his previous season's totals, scoring 28 goals with 50 assists for 78 points in 68 games, while serving as an alternate captain. During the Raiders' playoff run, he tallied nine goals and 27 points in 19 contests.
Rudolph is not afraid to get involved offensively and is a solid defender who can get physical. Last year, he racked up 75 penalty minutes and still posted a plus-32 rating. Interestingly, he produced better in the WHL playoffs than in the regular season, with 39 points in 30 games, compared to 119 points in 132 games over two seasons.
If the Panthers indeed select Rudolph, they will not only get a future star on the back end but also benefit from his commitment to the University of Denver, which will give him opportunities to grow his game and compete for an NCAA National Championship. Since 2017, the school has won four of the past nine Frozen Four tournaments, including last year's 2-1 thriller over Wisconsin.
According to PuckPedia, the youngest defenseman slated to start on the Panthers blueline next season is Uvis Balinskis, who is 29 and signed to a league-minimum salary of $875k for the next two seasons. Meanwhile, Donovan Sebrango, who Florida claimed off waivers from the Ottawa Senators, and played 40 games, is a restricted free agent with no current contract offer from the club. Sebrango is only 24, and one of six defenders under 25 to dress last season with a plethora of injuries.
Last season, the Panthers had the 11th-oldest lineup in the league, according to Elite Prospects, at 29.30 years old. Someday, the veterans who have guided the franchise to three consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances will retire or move on, meaning the future is nearer than many think. To keep their competitive window open for the next decade, General Manager Dale Tallon needs to keep the prospects cupboard loaded, especially with a top 10 pick at the 2026 NHL Draft.
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