Florida Panthers: Top Prospects 20-16

20. Matt Frattin, RW, 22, Edmonton, Alberta

6’0, 206lbs

Acquired in trade with Colorado

 The road has been a long and winding one for Matt Frattin. The 6’0 winger came under some controversy before the 2009-10 season, when he was charged with a DUI charged and suspended from the Fighting Sioux indefinitely. He persevered, turning down an offer from the pro club and paying his own money to finish his stay at North Dakota. Frattin has been absolutely impressive, after a slow start once he returned to the team in 2010,  he has 28 goals in his last 32 games in the WCHA, including 17 in 20 this year.

 “Matt really has really battled through some tough situations, and really had to decide how badly he wanted it. He’s definitely matured as a person and his game has been as strong as ever and we’re glad he pushed to play the full 4 years of college hockey. If you watch this guy play, he plays with an edge but he is extremely talented with the puck and manages to score a lot of amazing goals. We can’t wait for him to turn pro next year and he is a guy that we hold really high and we were very excited to acquire him earlier this year.”

19. Cory Emmerton, C, 22, St.Thomas, Ontario

6’0, 190lbs

Acquired in trade with Colorado

 Cory Emmerton is probably an odd one on this list. Drafted all the way back in 2006 in the 2^nd round, his highest point total in the AHL has been 37 in his two years there and he has yet to suit up in the NHL. Yet the Panthers brass still holds him in high esteem. The 22 year old centre has been poised for a breakout year this season, in 23 games he has 19 points and has been extremely solid.

 “What we really like about Emmerton is that he is so smooth with the puck and is an excellent playmaker. He doesn’t have great skating speed and is not overly physical but he is just such a skilled playmaker and has a pretty good shot. We like him as a two-way 3^rd line centre for the future and we think he has the tools to do just that, and while he hasn’t progressed as most would like we still see a lot of positives in his game and think he is very close to the pro game.”

18. Scott Wedgewood, G, 18, Brampton, Ontario

6’1, 180lbs

Drafted 4^th round (95^th overall) in 2010

Wedgewood was definitely an interesting pick by the Panthers in the 4^th round this past year. He was the backup to Matt Hackett most of the year and only played 18 games all year. But it was in the playoffs against Windsor, with Hackett suspended and the Whalers down 3-0 in the series, Wedgewood put up an amazing performance in 3-2 overtime loss, stopping an astounding 70 shots. This year, with the starting role he has taken charge with a 16-9-1 record for Plymouth and has put himself as one of the top goalies in the OHL this year.

 “We really like Wedge, he is definitely a project pick but he has the skill level and technique to being a really good NHL goalie. His situation is very similar to when Steve Mason got drafted and hopefully this story will play out similar. We really like him as a goalie and will probably play next year again with Plymouth and maybe even be considered for Canada at the Juniors but as it stands now he is still a few years away but I believe we got a steal of a pick here.”

17. Taylor Beck, RW, 19, Niagara Falls, Ontario

6’2, 203lbs

Drafted 3^rd round (79^th overall) in 2009

 The 6’2 winger could be a solid scoring power forward in the future for this Panther’s organization.  The Guelph Storm forward was one of the better forwards in the OHL last year, being top 10 in scoring putting up an impressive 93 points in 61 games last year. Beck has continued this success in his 4^th year in the OHL with 43 points in 32 games.

“Another player that just has a lot of skill and size but maybe held back by ok skating, and really that doesn’t hold us back on taking guys like him. Beck is just very good skilled player and has top 6 forward written all over him and we really think he will succeed in getting to that spot on our team. We expect him to turn pro next year and we are really looking forward to seeing him play at a higher level as we feel he’s really hit his peak at the OHL level.”

16. Viktor Stalberg, LW, 24, Gothenburg, Sweden

6’3, 210lbs

Drafted 5^th round (144^th overall) in 2009

 Viktor Stalberg was taken in the 5^th round by the Panthers in 2009, the following season he broke out onto the scene at the Leafs training camp, having an astounding pre-season with his blinding speed and bulking size. Though, the actual season was not to be desired, with only 14 points in 40 games with the Leafs. In the offseason, he was traded to Chicago and he continues to show that he has all the tools, but no toolbox, with 13 points in 32 games including some time on the team’s top line.

“Viktor is a guy that can frustrate you but make you go WOW in the same game.  He really has all the tools but he just can’t pull it all together, he’s too quick for him to read the play well. Though even with that, he can be a great top 6 forward, but at worst he’s a quick and big 3^rd line forward which is not bad at all.