Florida Panthers 20 under 21: #7 Henrik Borgstrom

After he went undrafted in 2015, the Florida Panthers made waves when they snapped up this college-bound Finn in the first round this summer.

#7 - Henrik Borgstrom - Forward - University of Denver (NCAA)

Highest Ranking: 8  Lowest Ranking: 8

The Panthers selected Henrik Borgstrom with the 23rd overall pick in 2016 Entry Draft after the 19-year-old racked up 55 points (29G/26A) in 40 games with HIFK’s U20 team during the ‘15-16 campaign.

After going undrafted in 2015 after amassing 37 points in 21 games with HIFK’s U18 squad, Borgstrom caught Rowe & Co.’s eye with a breakout season after he stepped up a level in competition.

Consider by some pundits to be a reach in the opening round, Borgstrom is an entertaining player on the rise who is creative, has good hands and possesses a quality wrist-shot.

Draftsite’s Bill Placzek had this to say about Henrik before the draft:

Second-year eligible Finnish centre is big slick stick-handler who needs to work to further strengthen his lower body in order to add power and speed to his skating. He has good skills and vision, but little consistency. Needs to be better away from the puck, and continue to grow his offensive side. Displays some really good dangle in his possession skills but has trouble deciding what the read is and can look bad when things go south in transition.

At 6’, 3”, Borgstrom has prototypical height, but needs to add muscle and bulk to his lanky 176 lbs frame. Committed to the University of Denver, he will have the time to do while playing against better competition in the NCAA, something that held back his draft ranking while he was in Finland.

It will take Borgstrom a couple of years to ready himself for the pro game. When he is fully developed he could turn out to be a gem of a pick as many consider him to be a prospect who has just started to scratch the surface of his potential.