The Florida Panthers’ Prospect Pool
The Florida Panthers’ prospect pool has recently garnered notable recognition from Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News, who is evaluating each NHL team’s future talent ahead of the 2025-26 season. The Panthers, focused on competing for Stanley Cups in recent years, face challenges in developing a robust prospect pool due to trading away draft picks for experienced players. However, Ferrari highlighted that the Panthers have successfully maintained a few promising prospects who might serve important roles in the future, even if they are not expected to become superstars.
Key Prospects
Leading the charge is Jack Devine, viewed as a key player to watch as he steps into a more significant role following Mackie Samoskevich‘s graduation to a full-time NHL position last season. Devine, a right-winger standing at six feet tall, is noted for his gritty style, excelling in forechecking and making his way into prime scoring positions. After a stellar college career at the University of Denver, which included capturing two National Championships, he is anticipated to make his AHL debut with the Charlotte Checkers during the upcoming season, where he has already gained valuable experience.
Ferrari also praised fellow prospects Sandis Vilmanis and Linus Eriksson. Vilmanis, after a successful first professional campaign in North America, recorded nine goals and 27 points in 61 games in the AHL. The 21-year-old Latvian winger is celebrated for his powerful shot and impressive puck skills. In contrast, Eriksson had a solid defensive showing this past season in Sweden, but he struggled to translate that performance into offensive production. At just 19 years old, he appears more suited for a bottom-six role in the NHL, though the Panthers are optimistic about his potential for growth.
Another standout is Gracyn Sawchyn, who posted remarkable offensive stats in the WHL with 30 goals and 78 points, dominating for the Edmonton Oil Kings. His transition to the AHL next season will provide further insight into his development and potential. Ferrari suggests that Simon Zether, a 19-year-old two-way center, is a hidden asset for the Panthers, showcasing his physical play and competitiveness while achieving four goals and 12 points in 25 games with Vasteras in Sweden’s second division. At 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds, he has the potential to evolve into a bottom-six NHL center with continued growth.
Challenges and Future Outlook
However, it’s important to note that the Panthers have faced difficulties due to their aggressive Stanley Cup aspirations over the last three seasons, resulting in limited opportunities to draft new talent. Their selections in the 2025 NHL Draft began in the fourth round, indicating the challenges they’ve encountered. The draft picks they managed to acquire appear raw and unpolished, a common outcome for later-round picks.
In evaluating the strengths and weaknesses within the Panthers’ prospect pool, Ferrari stated that they show particular promise on the wing, with several players possessing the potential to develop into effective depth players. While the overall talent pool is considered weaker compared to other teams, there’s a belief that their wing prospects, such as Sawchyn and Vilmanis, could yield positive results moving forward. Nonetheless, the defense remains a concern, with few players demonstrating the capability to step up as NHL-quality defenders in the near future. With Michael Benning pending as an unsigned RFA, and other defensive prospects struggling to make impactful progress, the Panthers are left contemplating how best to bolster their defensive ranks in the coming years.
