Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Florida Panthers
At the 11th overall pick in the draft, the Florida Panthers may have committed hockey draft larceny with the selection of OHL Kingston Frontenacs’ Lawson Crouse. He is built just like Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson except he’s more skilled and he’s even bigger. We’ll have to wait and see.
Projected early as a top-six forward on a very young, fast and sizeable roster in South Florida, Crouse has all the makings of an elite power forward in the league. At 6’4″, 215 lbs and quite fast, he could be a nightmare in front of the net, much like Wilson. The Frontenacs (Crouse’s junior team) worked a defense-first system of hockey not unlike the one that former Washington Capitals head coach Dale Hunter implemented during his short coaching stint. Also reminiscent of the former Washington Capitals captain, Crouse is unafraid to use his size to dish out hits and defend teammates when necessary.
He would be an excellent match up to watch with 2015 Washington Capitals draft choice Jonas Siegenthaler, who has played with grown men for quite a while now in Swiss National A League’s Zürich Schlittschuh Club Lions. At 6’3″, 220 lbs and likely still growing, Siegenthaler could grow into the type of defensive-defensemen that the Washington Capitals were hoping to land in Jeff Schultz back in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Jonas has wasted no time in impressing Washington Capitals brass and was spoken highly of by both Barry Trotz and MacLellan following this summer’s Development Camp and seems to have received a decent primer on the North American style of hockey from Zurich coach and former Stanley Cup champion Marc Crawford.
The Panthers certainly have a lot of question marks around their goaltending position. 2015 third-rounder Samual Montembeault and 2012 free agent signing Michael Houser appear to be the heirs apparent to 36-year old veteran Roberto Luongo, who returned close to All-Star form last year, but whose decline seems imminent. Washington Capitals 2014 first round pick Jakub Vrana could make that duo have nightmares. Vrana wowed us all last month with his blazing fast wrist shot speed, accuracy and hardened nose for the net and looks like a good investment of the 13th overall pick from 2014.
It seems inevitable that Mike Matheson, who recently signed his NHL entry level contract with the Panthers and spent the remnants of last season in AHL San Antonio, will become a household name soon. What makes him special is his ability to find open ice while pinching up and releasing a deceptively quick and accurate shot. Playing opposite from him could be another household name in Washington Capitals prospect Madison Bowey. Bowey, who admittedly models his game after former WHL and Kelowna Rockets great Shea Weber, is another offensive-defenseman with a knack for scoring points. A clutch performer during big moments, Bowey thrives on the big stage and could be a tremendous asset for the Washington Capitals franchise for years to come. Both will be ones to watch in the tournament and could have their numbers called early and often.
Next: The neophytes in Nashville