Despite wait on 2nd day, Panthers pleased with draft results
SUNRISE, Fla. -- The second day of the 2015 NHL draft got off to an admittedly slow start for the Florida Panthers as the team anxiously waited until the third round to make their first selection of the afternoon.
After hitting a self-described "home run" by landing big-bodied winger Lawson Crouse with their first-round pick, Panthers general manager Dale Tallon hoped to start off the second day of the draft in similar fashion by trading back into the second round.
In the end, however, no trade partner could be found.
"Not having a pick early today, it's frustrating," Tallon said. "We tried to move up, tried to get a pick, but we just weren't able to."
With no trades to be had, the Panthers opted to hold on to their seven remaining picks, selecting four forwards, one defenseman and two goaltenders in rounds three through seven. And although only time will tell if any of these late-round talents have what it takes to reach the NHL, the Panthers believe that they've found at least one diamond in the rough.
"It was a very successful draft for us," Tallon said. "Including a home-run pick in Lawson Crouse in day one, today we picked the No. 1 goaltender on our list, while also adding scoring, speed and skill to our lineup."
SCOUTING REPORT
G Samuel Montembeault, 77th overall, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL): The No. 2 overall goaltender in Florida's personal pre-draft rankings, Montembeault is already being touted as the "heir apparent" in net for the Panthers. He's extremely mobile in between the pipes and has garnered praise for his ability to track the puck in traffic. The 18-year-old netminder has ideal size at 6-foot-3, and posted a 33-11-7 record with a 2.59 goals-against average and .891 save percentage for the Armada last season. He plans to return to the QMJHL for at least one more year before possibly making the leap to the AHL.
"I'm quick for my height," Montembeault said. "I move very fast. I have good rebound control and anticipation when reading the play."
Added Panthers director of scouting Scott Luce: "He's big, athletic, competitive, plays the puck real well, has good rebound control and has a lot of upside."
D Thomas Schemitsch, 88th overall, Owen Sound Attack (OHL): A solid two-way defenseman, Schemitsch has been steadily improving his play along the blue line since making the transition from forward to defense four seasons ago. He recorded 14 goals and 49 points 68 games for the Attack last season and will return to Owen Sound for at least one more year. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he hopes that his game will someday resemble that of Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook.
"I think I'm a smart, two-way guy who's reliable," Schemitsch said. "I play well in all three zones. I think I can bring a little bit of offense to the game as well."
Added Luce: "He's a very underrated player in regards to his offensive abilities. He's a guy that has good two-way capability, very reliable, makes good safe passes and he's going to put on a little bit more weight, but he's already a pretty big guy. We were happy to get him."
C Denis Malgin, 102nd overall, ZSC Lions (Swiss-A): An exciting player to watch when the puck is on his stick, Malgin is an offensively gifted forward with exceptional puck-handling skills. The Olten, Switzerland, native spent last season competing in Swiss A, a top-tier league in Switzerland, notching two goals and eight points in 23 games for the Lions. It remains to be seen whether or not the 18-year-old will make the jump to North America to play in the CHL next season, but it wouldn't be surprising if he instead chooses to play at least one more season overseas.
"He's a dominant player every time he's on the ice," Tallon said. "He's tremendously skilled, quick and very smart. He sees the ice well and is a dynamic one-on-one player."
C/LW Karch Bachman, 132nd overall, Culver Military Academy Prep (USHS): A childhood spent living in a slow-pace Amish town couldn't keep Bachman from developing a fast-paced game on the ice. The 18-year-old winger is one of the speediest skaters in this year's draft and possesses a well-rounded offensive skillset He recoreded 19 goals and 43 points in 32 games for Culver Military Academy Prep last season and plans to spend one year in the USHL before enrolling at the University of Miami (Ohio) in 2016.
"I got a long way to go," Bachman said. "I'm a younger guy, a little undersized and undeveloped at this point, but I think my work ethic and my dedication will carry me along."
Added Luce: "He's got elite speed. Dale asked us to bring some speed to the organization at some point in this draft, and when we picked Karch, he was a speed guy. He was a guy we targeted in the mid to late rounds. We feel like he's got upside."
RW Chris Wilkie, 162nd overall, Tri-City Storm (USHL): A speedy winger with a powerful shot, Wilkie finished last season tied for 14th in the USHL and first on the Storm in total points with 55 in 59 games played. He won the hardest shot competition at the USHL's Top Prospects Game by way of a 93 mph slapper and had as many goals (35) as first-round pick Brock Boesner. He is currently enrolled and taking classes at the University of North Dakota and hopes to improve upon his defensive game during his collegiate career.
"If you look who the top goal scorers in the league were, he was right up there with a lot of names that went earlier in the draft," Luce said. "He's got some upside."
C Patrick Shea, 192nd overall, Kimball Union Academy (USHS): A gritty forward, Shea never shies away from trouble when he's on the ice. At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, he tallied 19 goals and 39 points in 33 games for Kimball Union Academy last season. He will attend the University of Maine next season.
"Shea? Man, you don't want to play against this kid," Tallon said. "He's a hard-nosed kid with speed and tough as nails. He's good defensively, a two-way forward that plays hard and wants it badly."
G Ryan Bednard, 206nd overall, Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL): A low-risk, high-reward pick for the Panthers, Bednard is still seen as a very raw talent at this point in his career. The 18-year-old netminder stands 6-foot-4, 179 pounds and posted a 2.66 goals-against average with a .913 save percentage in 37 games for the Tomahawks last season. He will join the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms for one year before enrolling at Bowling Green State University in 2016.
POSSIBLE STEAL
Maglin. Offensively gifted? Check. Undersized? Check. Swiss? Check. On paper, Maglin certainly looks to have all the makings of a mid-round success story. He was ranked 66th overall in ISS Hockey's final pre-draft rankings and was a great value pick for the Panthers in the fifth round. He was able to win over the Panthers scouting staff with his dominating performance at the U-18 World Junior Championship and has been called "dynamic" by Tallon on more than one occasion.
BIGGEST PROJECT
Bernard. Like most players selected in the seventh round, Bernard is seen as a long-term project. He is expected to be the starting goaltender in Youngstown next season, but nothing is guaranteed beyond that as far as playing time is concerned. At this point, the Panthers view Bernard's development as a five-year plan.
You can follow Jameson Olive on Twitter @JamesonCoop or email him at JamesonOlive@gmail.com.
