Springfield Thunderbirds and all other Florida Panthers Prospect discussions

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[Brewin Flames]

Top prospects for Florida Panthers

Borgstrom, Tippett among forwards who could play in NHL this season

by Alain Poupart / NHL.com Correspondent

 August 13th, 2018

 

Today, the top five prospects for the Florida Panthers, according to NHL.com.

 

1. Henrik Borgstrom, F

 

How acquired: Selected with No. 23 pick in 2016 NHL Draft

 

Last season: Florida: 4 GP, 1-0-1; University of Denver (NCAA): 40 GP, 23-29-52

Borgstrom, who turned 21 on Aug. 6, will compete in training camp to earn the third center spot behind Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract and made his NHL debut March 29 after Denver was eliminated from the NCAA Division I men's tournament. He scored his first NHL goal April 8 in the Panthers' final regular-season game. Borgstrom (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) was one of the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award last season and has excellent puck-handling and playmaking abilities. 

Projected NHL arrival: This season

 

 

2. Owen Tippett, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 10 pick in 2017 NHL Draft

Last season: Florida: 7 GP, 1-0-1; Springfield (AHL): 5 GP, 1-1-2; Mississauga (OHL): 51 GP, 36-39-75

The 19-year-old began last season with the Panthers but was returned to Mississauga on Nov. 6 before he finished the season with Springfield of the American Hockey League. Tippett (6-1, 200) will be among several forwards competing for a spot on the third and fourth lines. His offensive ability, highlighted by one of the best shots in the organization, could earn him a job, but the Panthers may decide his defense needs work before he's ready to be a full-time NHL player.

Projected NHL arrival: This season

 

 

3. Grigori Denisenko, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 15 pick in 2018 NHL Draft

Last season: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (MHL): 31 GP, 9-13-22

Denisenko, 18, could begin the season with the Panthers, but given their depth at forward, he likely will spend the season in the Kontinental Hockey League after making his debut in the league during its 2018 playoffs (no points in four games with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl). Denisenko (5-11, 176) didn't put up big numbers last season in the MHL, Russia's junior hockey league, but showed flashes of the elite offensive skills and playmaking that Borgstrom possesses.

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

 

 

 

4. Aleksi Heponiemi, F

 

How acquired: Selected with No. 40 pick in 2017 NHL Draft

 

Last season: Swift Current (WHL): 57 GP, 28-90-118

 

Heponiemi, 19, will play this season for Karpat in Liiga, Finland's top professional league. He led the Western Hockey League in assists and finished third in points last season. There's little question that Heponiemi has elite-level skills with his vision and playmaking ability, but with his size (5-10, 147), he'll need to show he can withstand the physical rigors of the NHL. Playing against men in Finland will provide a better gauge than playing against junior-age players in Canada.

Projected NHL arrival: 2020-21

 

 

 

5. Maxwell Gildon, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 66 pick in 2017 NHL Draft

Last season: University of New Hampshire (NCAA): 36 GP, 8-15-23

Gildon, 19, stood out at Panthers development camp in July, showing off his tremendous skating ability. As a freshman at the University of New Hampshire last season, Gildon (6-3, 191) tied for second in Hockey East among defensemen with eight goals. He needs to get bigger and stronger though, and he'll get the chance to do that with a few more collegiate seasons.

Projected NHL arrival: 2020-21

[Brewin Flames]

Top prospects for Florida Panthers

Samoskevich, Denisenko could provide forward depth this season

 

@davidsatriano NHL.com Staff Writer

August 13, 2023

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Florida Panthers, according to NHL.com.

1. Mackie Samoskevich, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 24 pick in 2021 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Charlotte (AHL): 2 GP, 0-2-2; University of Michigan (NCAA): 39 GP, 20-23-43

Samoskevich (5-foot-11, 191 pounds) flourished in his sophomore season at Michigan before signing an entry-level contract with the Panthers on May 8. The 20-year-old also played in the Calder Cup Playoffs and was an extra player for the Panthers during their run to the Cup Final last season. He will have every chance to make the opening night roster.

"I loved every second of it," Samoskevich said of last season. "I think I needed to take that step at the end of the year, and I'm glad I did. … I'd love to play down here (with the Panthers). I think that's the main goal. I don't think it's a far-fetched goal. I think I can do it. I think I can play up in the big leagues, I hope. I've been working very hard this summer. It's going well so far. I think that's the main goal, for sure."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Grigori Denisenko, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 15 pick in 2018 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Panthers (NHL): 18 GP, 0-3-3; Charlotte (AHL): 56 GP, 12-24-36

Denisenko (5-11, 186) does not have a goal in 26 NHL games the past three seasons, with 18 of those games coming last season. He also played one postseason game for the Panthers and four Calder Cup Playoff games for Charlotte last season. The 23-year-old signed a two-year, one-way contract July 1, making it more than likely he will be in the NHL this season.

"Grigori has worked incredibly hard developing in our system competing for both the Panthers and Checkers this season," Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. "His puck possession and maturity on the ice are tremendous and we're excited for him to re-sign with our club."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Justin Sourdif, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 87 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Charlotte (AHL): 48 GP, 7-17-24

Sourdif (5-11, 173) should benefit from a full season in the American Hockey League after he was limited to 48 games last season because of injuries. The 21-year-old did return for the Calder Cup Playoffs, playing in all six games for Charlotte, but likely is at least a season away from the NHL and remains behind Samoskevich and Denisenko on the depth chart.

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

4. Mike Benning , D

How acquired: Selected with No. 95 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: University of Denver (NCAA): 39 GP, 13-21-34

Benning (5-9, 177) signed an entry-level contract with the Panthers on April 12. In his third college season, he was third among NCAA defensemen in goals and sixth in points. The National Collegiate Hockey Conference Offensive Defenseman of the Year, Benning was named the 2022 Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player after helping Denver win the NCAA title. The 21-year-old won't begin the season with the Panthers but could make his debut later this season.

"Mike is a gifted two-way defenseman who has had an outstanding collegiate career," Zito said. "We are thrilled for him to take the next step in his career with the Panthers and look forward to his continued development within our organization."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

5. Evan Nause, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 56 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Quebec (QMJHL): 40 GP, 5-24-29

Nause (6-2, 186) helped Quebec win the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League title with nine points (five goals, four assists) in 18 playoff games and then had two assists in four games to help them win the Memorial Cup. The 20-year-old attended development camp for the second straight year and has made strides in his game.

"My overall maturity and defensive game took the biggest step this year," Nause said during development camp. "I got to play in some key games and really big moments. I think I matured physically as well and I'm just trying to continue that at the beginning of my young career."

Projected NHL arrival: 2025-26