Panthers Top Prospects 2013: 5-1

5.Quinton Howden, LW, 21, [Oak Bank, Manitoba] (PR: 5)

6’3, 185lbs

Acquired in a trade with Buffalo

 Making the jump to pro has been an interesting adventure for Howden. He struggled early on in San Antonio, not being able to pick up the points he was accustomed to in junior. But he seems to have found his legs at the later part of the season, starting to find his offensive game. His late season transition even earned him a stint in the NHL filling in on the Florida Panthers, where it is expected he will play full time next season.

 “Quinton is oe of our favourite prospects, and probably one of our safer ones. He is a guy with size that can become a top 6 player that could put up consistently 50 points a year, and that is around the best we hope. As far as his basement potential, we expect a good 3^rd liner, who can play the PK and a physical force defensively. We believe Quinton has a long career ahead of him in Florida.”

4.Brock Nelson, C, 21, [Minneapolis, Minnesota] (PR: 8)

6’3, 205lbs

Drafted 2^nd round (32^nd overall) in 2010

 After beating expectations in his sophomore year at North Dakota, the big centre decided to turn pro, and so far he hasn’t missed a beat. Playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Nelson with 43 points in 54 games has put him 2^nd in scoring on the struggling squad, and put him in the top 5 amongst rookies in the AHL and by the day he looks more and more closer to being NHL ready.

 “Another one of our favourite draft picks, Nelson has progressed almost perfectly.  He took the size and skill that we saw in high school, showed that it wasn’t just playing against weaker competition and improved on his game in college, and now he is making an easy transition at the pro level. His skill level is great, and the fact he can play strong at both ends of the ice, makes us believe that he can easily be a future 2^nd line centre for us.”

3.Chris Kreider, LW, 21, [Boxford, Massachusetts] (PR: 3)

6’3, 225lbs

Drafted, Re-Acquired in a trade with Colorado

It’s been a twisting road for Kreider since leaving Boston College. He jumped right in to the fire with the Rangers in their playoff run, and he did not look out of place. With 5 goals in the playoffs, it seemed all but guaranteed that Kreider was a lock for the Rangers and that he would dominate in the AHL during the lockout. That hasn’t been the case, he struggled in Connecticut and even more so with New York after the lockout ended. After another failed stint with the Rangers, he went back to the AHL and everything seemed to click. He played more aggressively and used his speed, and picked up 7 points (6 goals) in an 8 game stint. His return to the NHL has seen a more confident Kreider emerge.

“One thing that we can never deny Kreider is that he has speed, skill and size. It just seems that he doesn’t quite have the mindset and toolbox to be able to combine them all together and utilize them to his full advantage. And we firmly believe that he will be able to accomplish this. He seems to be learning the game and he is still ahead of schedule in terms of where we expected him, and we feel he is going to become a great scoring winger in this league.”

2.Ryan Strome, C, 19, [Mississauga, Ontario] (PR: 1)

6’1, 192lbs

Drafted 1^st round (5^th overall) in 2011

  Without a mid-season trade, Strome would have remained the Panthers #1 prospect because he has done nothing but improve this year. He came into the year with the Niagara Ice Dogs and almost scored a full 30 more points this year, he was once again one of Canada’s top offensive threat at the World Juniors and he finally assumed a new leadership role and has done a great job and improving the lesser areas of his game.

 “Strome was the last of our high picks and the sign that our rebuild was coming to an end. When we picked him, we knew that he was a guy that wouldn’t jump straight into the league and would take time to develop. And it has really shown this year, where his offensive game has gone to new heights and his defensive game has shown massive improvements as well, showing a more willingness to back check. He is a very skilled and talented player, and he is becoming an excellent playmaker. Whether his future is at centre or on the wing remains to be seen.”

1.Jonathan Huberdeau, C, 19, [Saint-Jerome, Quebec] (PR: NEW)

6’1, 177lbs

Acquired in a trade with Colorado

 When the Panthers had to complete the task of dealing away Mike Richards, it was a bitter pill to swallow, though it went down much easier when they were able to get Huberdeau in return. The former top 3 pick has done everything right this year. He dominated with the Sea Dogs, was the best player on the ice for team Canada and has not looked out of place with Florida since the lockout ended and is a favourite for the Calder this year. And he has done all of this at just the age of 19.

“Huby is probably the most dynamic talent in our prospect list. He is a guy that is just oozing of skill that it is scary. He is easily a future top liner for us and will be filling in as soon as next year. All he has to do is just get a little bit bigger and use his size, and once that happens, he will be one of the elite of this league.”