First and foremost, I think this had to be one of the toughest draft classes to choose from because of Covid shortened seasons, if some of these kids got to play at all. Besides a select few, like Owen Power who everyone knew was going to be selected #1 overall (especially with a name like that, guaranteed he is a career 50 goal guy). There were a lot of question marks and players who the scouts would have liked to see skate one more season before having to make a draft day decision.
The Panthers used their 1st round pick to select Matthew Samoskevich from the Chicago Steel in the USHL. Samoskevich is a forward who many scouts and analysts feel could be a top 6 type player. While Samoskevich is a bit undersized, 5’11” & 190 lbs., he is well known for his speed and hockey IQ. You know who else they said was undersized? Patty Kane and I think he turned out alright!
The Panthers also have been reading my posts and went with a big bodied defenseman from the Q in Evan Nause. Nause sits in at 6’2” and 185lbs. He is more than just a physical type player as Nause has shown great playmaking and puck moving abilities. The QMJHL is known for finesse and goal scoring versus the physicality of the game; however, skating with players like Gudas and Weegar will show this kid how to play the game the right way. According to The Hockey Writers, he is a great steal by Bill Zito.
In the 4th round, the Panthers grabbed defenseman Vladislav Lukashevich. Much like Nause, he is another tall, puck moving defenseman. However, entering the draft at 6’2” and 167 lbs., his weight and strength will be a huge area of concern. It doesn’t matter how well you can skate, when a guy like Fat Pat takes a run at you, you need to be strong enough to stay on your skates.
As you are well aware, the Panthers traded away goaltending prospect Devon Levi as a part of the Sam Reinhart deal thus I was not shocked to see them take a goalie in this draft. Kirill Gerasimyuk was the 5th round pick, #152 overall, and will probably not see much time in the NHL unless it is backing up Knight. Because of this, I really do not care to write more about him.
The Panthers took another big body, defensive minded LW in Jakub Kos in the 6th round. While his offensive numbers were not impressive, the 6’3”, 187 lb. player is more known for the play in the defensive zone.
The Cats’ final pick was a massive defenseman in the 6’3”, 201 lb Braden Hache. He was one of the many OHL kids to not play a single game last year because of Covid. But Zito took a chance and wanted to send a message to the league, “you will not push us around”! So he loaded up on some big boys and is ready to see who has the bigger balls. Let’s see Tampa try to bully the Cats this go round.
When you start talking about anyone outside of the first round of the draft, it is really tough to say whether or not they will ever crack an NHL lineup. Especially when scouts have had limited exposure to many of these kids. Although the Detroit Red Wings had a knack for finding late round magic. Maybe Zito will as well?
In Zito we trust!