After accumulating an astounding thirteen picks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft last June, Florida will finally have an opportunity to begin evaluating their newest prospects with something other than collective scouting reports and months-old video.
Add to that number the 35 or so other bodies already ensconced in the farm system and it’s easy to imagine the challenge that lies before new Panthers director of player development Brian Skrudland. Keep those bags packed, Skrewy.
After the jump: an update on the status of this year’s picks (all numbers through 10-19-2010)…
First Round
Erik Gudbranson (3rd overall): Played all six NHL preseason matches with Florida. Now back with Kingston, the 6-4, 206lb defenseman has four points (1g), a minus-2, and 4 pims in four games with the Frontenacs.
Nick Bjugstad (19th): The reigning “Minnesota Mr. Hockey”, Bjugstad – a freshman forward – has one assist in four contests for the Golden Gophers.
Quinton Howden (25th): Amassed four points (2g – including GW) against Saskatoon in 5-1 Moose Jaw victory Tuesday evening. Warriors forward now has 12 points (7g) in nine games.
Second Round
John McFarland (33rd): Sudbury winger is currently battling an undisclosed injury and could potentially miss time through the end of the month. In six games, McFarland has collected five points (3g).
Alex Petrovic (36th): Ten points (1g) in eleven games so far for the speedy Red Deer Rebels’ defenseman, capped by 28 pims.
Connor Brickley (50th): Freshman Vermont forward has one assist in two games with the Catamounts.
Third Round
Joe Basaraba (69th): Another freshman, the University of Minnesota-Duluth winger has not yet scored for the Bulldogs in two appearances.
Fourth Round
Sam Brittain (92nd): A first-year goaltender for the Denver Pioneers, Brittain has thus far gone 0-1-1, allowing 3g on 61 SA. Currently posts a 1.47 GAA and .951 SV%.
Ben Gallacher (93rd): Defensive prospect returns to Camrose for a third season, notching nine points (3g) in thirteen games, with 44 pims.
Joonas Donskoi (99th): The lone European (Finland) selected by Florida, Donskoi – a smallish forward at 5-11, 165lbs – has seven points (4g) in 12 games with Karpat.
Fifth Round
Zach Hyman (123rd): Third-year Hamilton center filling out resume nicely with 32 points (13g) in twelve contests with the Red Wings. Follows a 75-point, 35 goal effort in 2009-10.
Sixth Round
Corey Durocher (153rd): Teammate of Kingston d-man Gudbranson, left wing Durocher began his second year with the Frontenacs with seven points (1g) in eight games.
Seventh Round
R.J. Boyd (183rd): A South Florida native, the Sacred Heart first-year defenseman has an assist after two games.