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S40 Los Angeles Panthers Future Watch
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Panthers S40 Los Angeles Panthers Future Watch Panthers
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The Los Angeles Panthers have added a lot of young players to the organization over the course of the past few SHL Entry Drafts. In this article I will list the top 10 players in the Panthers organization who were drafted in Season 37 or later. This list wasn't easy to make at all. I'm not exagerating in saying that a majority of the rankings are interchangable. I don't think it would be out of line if the #6 prospect was listed as the #1 prospect. The point of this list is to show off the bright future that the Panthers have and to highlight a group of prospects who have been doing an excellent job of improving their players and will be the next group of stars for Panthers. A number of the teams top prospects have already signed contract extensions. It's going to be a lot of fun to watch this group develop. Actually, this is just a list to show off Wasty/Cope team sigs. Smile)



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10. Ben Holtby - G - S37 - Los Angeles Panthers - 323 TPE

Kicking off the list is free agent acquisition Ben Holtby. The 20th overall pick in the S37 SHL Draft, Holtby has spent the past few seasons playing a key role in net for the Halifax Raiders. Holtby will be spending his first season in the SHL during S40. Ben is one of only two players on this list who will be spending this season in Los Angeles. Holtby was well liked among his teammates in Halifax and the Panthers are hopeful that the move to the SHL will help him take his game to the next level. Holtby possesses good hand speed and reaction times, but he'll need to round out his game to become a legit SHL goaltender. The Panthers hope that Holtby will stick in the SHL and feel that he could even become a starting goaltender in the SHL.
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9. Markus Meliodas - C - S39 - Colorado Mammoths - 358 TPE

Markus Meliodas was the 19th overall pick in the stacked S39 SHL Draft. While he may not have the upside that a number of the drafts top prospects possess, the Panthers are completely fine with that and have viewed Meliodas as a safe bet to become a middle 6 forward on a winning team since before selecting him. Meliodas is a steady power-forward who the Panthers can see becoming a clutch player who can fit anywhere in the teams line-up. It seemed that Meliodas would be fast tracked to the SHL, but Los Angeles decided to send Meliodas back to Colorado for another season of development after the team reached a deal late in free-agency with mercenary Wolf von Hammersmark. Meliodas is a near lock to crack the roster next season, there's not much for him to prove at the SMJHL level. Playing against the best players in the SHL could see Meliodas take off and establish himself as one of the best players of his draft class. Expect Meliodas to play a very important role this season for a stacked Colorado Mammoths team that is considered one of the favorites for the Four Star Cup.
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8. Mikkel Haugen - C - S40 - Detroit Falcons - 282 TPE

The Panthers selected Norwegian born center Mikkel Haugen with the 11th overall selection. The pick came as a surprise to some due to the fact that Haugen didn't play much during his rookie season with Detroit, but the Panthers love what they saw from Haugen in individual workouts and the pick shouldn't come as a surprise with some strong Norwegian ties among the team. One things for certain, Haugen can help his team win face-offs, in fact, Mikkel led the entire SMJHL in face-off percentage last season. While a very valuable skill to possess, the Panthers see a lot more in Haugen's game than his ability to win face-offs, the Panthers see a lot of scoring potential in Haugen and feel that with the proper development he could emmerge as an elite scoring threat. Haugen has the size that you look for in a top power-forward and brings a very unique skillset to the center position. Hauggen is the type of player who will bull through you and is definitely somebody who's focus is putting pucks on net. The Panthers could look to Haugen as soon as next season.
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7. Grim Wastlund - G - S40 - Colorado Mammoths - 329 TPE

The latest member of the Wastlund clan to hit the SHL, Grim is the first goaltender from the prestigious hockey family and he may have the highest upside of the group. The youngest son of Panthers general manager Niclas Wastlund, there is little doubt that Grim will skate at Staples Center before too long. For now, Grim forms an excellent goaltending duo along with Chris Partridge for the Colorado Mammoths of the SMJHL. Wastlund has grown up around the Panthers, spending his entire life watching the team as his father has been the General Manager for over 25 seasons and Grim was born in Los Angeles. Grim's older brother Fredrik played 8 seasons for the Panthers, winning the Stevens & Khan Trophy's during his last season in the league. Grim stands 6'5" and has developed all areas of his game at a consistent pace. Grim may not have made his SHL debut yet, but he's already seen action with Norway's national team, including a 30 save effort against Czechoslovakia in a 6-1 win. The sky is the limit for Grim, the Panthers will be patient with Grim but it shouldn't be too long before he's part of the goaltending tandem in Los Angeles.
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6. Geoff Higgins - W - S39 - Halifax Raiders - 439 TPE

Selected 37th overall in the S39 SHL Entry Draft, Geoff Higgins has been one of the fastest developing prospects from his draft class and could easily top this list. In fact, Geoff won the inaugural Jhonas Skarsgaard Award as the Panthers top prospect of last season. Higgins is currently one of the most physically imposing players in the SMJHL. Higgins led the pre-season in hits and it wasn't even close. Teams should dread the idea of matching up against Higgins when they travel to Halifax this season. Higgins is another virtual lock to make the Panthers in S41. The Panthers coaching staff can't wait for Geoff to join the team and bring his powerforward skillset to the SHL. A line of Higgins - Haugen - Meliodas would bring a lot of energy to the team and would definitely look to lay some hits and play a physical style, even as rookies. Higgins possesses more offensive upside than pretty much any prospect in the system. Higgins is a great passer, solid skater and has excellent puck handling ability for the SMJHL level. Higgins has the look of a future SHL top-line winger.
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5. Jon Toner - D - S39 - Halifax Raiders - 443 TPE

The 29th selection in the S39 SHL Draft, Jon Toner has proven to be a great addition for the Panthers and is somebody that people should be familiar with league-wide before too long. The first defenseman on this list, Toner may end up being the flashiest of the Panthers strong group of defenseman. Toner has put up some solid offensive numbers for the Raiders and he will likely play a key offensive role for the Panthers before too long. Toner models his game after NHL defenseman Duncan Keith, the Panthers would love if that's the direction that his development continues to go in, there's definitely some similarities newteen the two defenseman. Toner is not a purely offensive defenseman, the Irish born defenseman is excellent in his own zone and is in no way a defensive liability. Toner is likely the powerplay quarterback of the future for the Panthers. He is a smooth skater and an excellent passer, making excellent breakout passes and showing great anticipation when joining the rush . The future may not be too far away, Toner is expected to be one of many rookies on the Panthers next season.
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4. Karno Grönkjær - D - S39 - Vancouver Whalers - 450 TPE

The 2nd overall pick in the highly touted S39 SHL Draft, Karno Grönkjær is a franchise cornerstone for the Panthers and somebody who will be looked upon to help lead the defense for seasons to come. Currently playing for the Vancouver Whalers in the SMJHL, Grönkjær stands a towering 6'7" and weighs in at 235 pounds. You can expect Grönkjær to become a huge physical presense on the Panthers blue-line and be somebody who will eventually be capable of shutting down the best forwards in the SHL. Despite his imposing size, the Norwegian is by no means a pylon, Karno is a powerful skater and is very solid positionally. Grönkjær is the type of defenseman who could contend for the Stevens Award on a seasonal basis once he hits his prime. Grönkjær should arrive in Los Angeles next season and he will instantly become a key member of the teams defensive core. He may be #4 on this list, but he's #1 in our hearts. :wub:
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3. Maurice Picard - D - S38 - Los Angeles Panthers - 500 TPE

The 24th selection in the S38 SHL Entry Draft, Maurice Picard has established himself as a key player for the Panthers on defense and is quickly becomming a veteran among his peers. Success seems to have a way of following Picard. In S38 he was helping the Prince George Firebirds end a lengthy championship drought, during his rookie season with the Panthers, Picard played a steady role on the clubs third defensive pairing and helped the team reach the Challenge Cup Finals for the first time in 15 seasons. Hopefully this is just the beginning of a long, successful career for the United Kingdom native. Picard is a steady two-way defenseman who doesn't really have many individual strength's that jump out at you, but there aren't many areas of his game that could be considered weaknesses either. Picard could stand to add some strength to his build but that's something that should come naturally over time. He's never going to be known for his booming slap-shot, but his smooth skating style and good puck skills should mean that he will be able to help start the rush and contribute on the scoring sheet. Picard will be taking on an expanded role for the Panthers during his sophomore campaign, the 6' tall defenseman will play more minutes and should be a part of the Panthers penalty killing unit. Though a small sample size, Picard is off to a great start at the time of this publication. In 3 games, Picard has a pair of helpers, a +7 plus/minus rating, has dished out 8 hits, & has blocked 5 shots. The Panthers hope that the early production is a sign of things to come.
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2. Joshua Woodcroft - W - S38 - Vancouver Whalers - 510 TPE

The 12th overall pick in the S38 SHL Draft, The Panthers have been very patient with Joshua Woodcroft, sending him back to Vancouver for a third conseutive season. The Panthers are not worried at all about the long stint in juniors for Woodcroft, Joshua is one of the leaders on a very talented Vancouver Whalers team and the experience he's gaining with an elite level junior team should be great for his development and help him make an impact right out of the gate next season when he joins the Panthers. Woodcroft is one of the most dangerous snipers in the SMJHL and the Panthers will be relying on him to put the puck in the back of the net for years to come. Woodcroft is ready right now, however the Panthers don't really have an opening in the teams top 9 forward group. That will change after this season when the team will be losing Jaxson Reynolds to retirement and will need to re-sign a couple of other key players among the group. With a good season of development in Vancouver, Woodcroft will be one of the favorites for the S41 Ryan Jesster Award. The skills are there for Joshua and the opportunity should be available in Los Angeles. Woodcroft's biggest strength is his shot but he's no one trick pony. Woodcroft is a defensively responsible forward and is a threat to set up his teammates in the offensive zone. The Panthers are counting down the days before Woodcroft is scoring goals in Los Angeles.
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1. James Johnson - D - S39 - Halifax Raiders - 463 TPE

The 20th overall selection in the S39 SHL Draft, James Johnson tops this years list of the brightest young players in the Panthers organization. This may come as a surprise to some, but it really shouldn't. Johnson is a two-way defenseman who has a very impressive skillset that he brings to the ice. He can skate, he is great in his own zone, he can play physical, he is comfortable with the puck on his stick, and he never seems to get tired. He could use some work in the weight room but that's a common trait of players at this stage in their careers. Stepping away from the player on the ice, Mongoose has been very active since the day he was drafted. He's very active in discord, he's one of the leaders in his junior teams locker room, he's posted a lot of great media, he seems to consistently put out great pieces that reflect how closely he is following the league and show a general interest in whats going on with whatever he's writing about, and he has earned TPE for his player whenever possible and is one of the most consistent earning players from his class. Back to the virtual ice, Johnson is a player that should play well in all sitations and somebody that the Panthers are anxious to add to their blueline. Johnson along with the other three defenseman on this list give the Panthers an incredible defensive core moving forward. This group compliments each other very well and has the potential to be one of the best groups of defenseman to ever team up in the SHL. Expect Johnson to earn a spot with the Panthers next season and instantly log important minutes with the team.
<a href='index.php?showuser=2862' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Mongoose87</a>




There you have it. I thought about including the S36 class which would have resulted in players such as Yuri Boyka Jr, Evgueni Marmeladov, Mercer Church, & Ben Turska joining this list but ultimetely decided that it would be best to focus on the past few draft classes. Oliver Hunter juuust missed the list. better luck next time <a href='index.php?showuser=51' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-3'>Toast</a>. The rankings are kind of meaningless. Everyone listed has a great shot to enjoy success at the SHL level and we're excited to have every player listed with the Panthers. I'll probably do this again sometime in the future.

Cheers

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#2

that's an impressive collection of prospects

future looks bright in LAP

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#3

You're cute too
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#4

Lots of future stars on this list Panthers Panthers Panthers

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#5

awesome article bottas!

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#6

Very nice 👍🏻

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#7

nice article bottas

looking super sharp with the sigs and all

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#8

Future looks bright! Great work here, sigs are beauties

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Thanks to @karey and @JSS for the sigs!


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#9

Headed in the right directions! A bunch of beauties on that list :wub:

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#10

whew. no pressure, then? haha



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#11

Great article! Panthers

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#12

Quote:Originally posted by NYRangers@Mar 27 2018, 01:38 PM
Lots of future stars on this list Panthers&nbsp; Panthers&nbsp; Panthers
Why'd you put a white background around your sig ya jabroni?

ALSO WHEN THE FUCK DID PAUL MARTIN GROW A BEARD

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#13

so many baby panthers out there to protect. Panthers Wink

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#14

Quote:Originally posted by Reynolds@Mar 27 2018, 09:15 PM

Why'd you put a white background around your sig ya jabroni?

ALSO WHEN THE FUCK DID PAUL MARTIN GROW A BEARD
right? lol the Paul Martin beard blew my mind

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#15

Quote:Originally posted by Reynolds@Mar 27 2018, 10:15 PM

Why'd you put a white background around your sig ya jabroni?

ALSO WHEN THE FUCK DID PAUL MARTIN GROW A BEARD
I didn’t make it. I think Wasty and Cope collabed on it.

And that’s Pavelski, not Martin Tongue

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