2025 Panthers Draft Recap

The pick capital was a little lighter in Florida this year, but after a few trades in the weeks leading up they managed to grab a few more picks to a total of 6, including re-entering the upper part of the draft. Ahead of the draft we heard from GM Dylan Wilson that there was a priority in adding forward talent to the pool, which was severly lacking in that department, especially after using two top 10 picks on defencemen last year. In the end the split was 4 to 2 in terms of forwards vs. defenceman. So let's take a closer look at the new group of Panthers prospects.

34th Overall Pick

Jack Murtagh

Forward, Boston Univ. (NCAA)

August 2nd, 2007 / East Greenbush, NY

HT: 6’1 WT: 198 lbs

From the GM: “We moved down a few weeks before the draft because we had a list of guys that we really liked that we felt we could get well past the 25th pick we had. Jack was right at the top of that list, so when we had the opportunity to grab him at 34, our plan all fell right into place. There’s just a lot to like about Jack, he’s got a high energy motor and is not afraid to use the body, so right away you know that you likely got a high floor guy, but the fact that he also has some premium offensive tools, the sky really is the limit on what he can become. He’s someone we expect to play a few years at Boston University, so we’re excited to see his progression there.”

58th Overall Pick

Malte Vass

Defence, Farjestad BK (SHL)

March 28th, 2007 / Karlstad, SWE

HT: 6’2 WT: 194 lbs

From the GM: “We entered the draft really trying to focus on trying to build out our forward depth, but Malte was a defenceman that found our way high on our board, so we couldn’t pass up the chance to bring him into the fold with our second pick in round 2. He’s a physical force on the blueline that has already shown great sense in shutting down plays with his speed and sense. He still needs to refine the tools in the offensive side of his game and that’ll be part of the development over the next few years, but he could be a perfect complement to our other young defencemen in the system.”

79th Overall Pick

Owen Martin

Forward, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

May 11th, 2007 / Oakbank, MB

HT: 6’0 WT: 185 lbs

From the GM: “We really wanted to add another centre to the system and Owen really checked a lot of boxes for us. He’s already shown to be well adapted to the defensive side of the game, being the primary defensive centre for Spokane as a 17 year old, and doing a superb job at it. The big thing for Owen now is if he can continue to build on his offensive game. He edged closer to being a PPG player this past year, in addition to having a good playoffs, so if he can take advantage of an increased role he could tap into something more. Even if he doesn’t, we see the potential for a very good bottom 6 centre at the pro level.”

93rd Overall Pick

Filip Ekberg

Forward, Ottawa 67s (OHL)

April 14th, 2007 / Uppsala, SWE

HT: 5’10 WT: 172 lbs

From the GM: “We know we’re taking a swing here, because there’s incredible upside with this pick in the 3rd round. Filip had a bit of a rough transition to North America, he was sick the first half of the year and was having a hard time getting ice time. The back half of the year he was one of the more productive players in the OHL. Pair that with his historic showing at the U-18s, we’re hoping that this is a continued rise for him. He’s got an elite mind for reading the offensive game and has the beginnings of the tools to really make use of that. He obviously needs to fill out and hopefully improve his skating a little bit, but to get that skill level at this point of the draft was something we couldn’t ignore.”

160th Overall Pick

Colton Roberts

Defence, Colorado College (NCAA)

June 8th, 2006 / Ridge Meadows, BC

HT: 6’4 WT: 201 lbs

From the GM: “Colton just missed out on being drafted by us last year, as he was on our list of 5 guys that we had with our 2 late 6th rounders. This year we felt like we couldn’t pass up the opportunity again (and had a feeling he wouldn’t continue being available). Colton is a big right shot defenceman who can skate, it’s a combination that all teams are always looking for. He didn’t quite have the pop in his offensive game, which is why he was still available at 160, and he needs to improve his size a bit more to be truly effective. We’re excited that he’s moving to Colorado College next year, where he’ll get more experience trying to defend against more mature players.”

182nd Overall Pick

Daniil Gutik

Forward, Admiral Vladivostok

August 31st, 2001 / Khabarovsk, RUS

HT: 6’3 WT: 190 lbs

From the GM: “With the 6th rounder, we really wanted to make a bold swing, a pick that in all likelihood will not work out but if it does it could be an absolute home run. We had a few guys listed here, but we felt that Daniil had the best shot at providing that. He’s a big winger with an elite shot, who was once considered a potential 1st rounder in the NHL before concerns about his skating scared teams away. His skating has improved over the years that it shouldn’t be a hindrance to the skills he does possess. What we love about him is that he’s always generating his own offence out there, beating players and finding open lanes. He has one year left on his KHL deal and we’re making the bet that he decides to take his chance here in North America soon.