Panthers’ prospects at the 2024 WJC

Panthers’ prospects at the 2024 WJC

The Florida Panthers management team will enjoy watching its prospects at the 2024 WJC, with 5 players attending the tournament. 

Its easy when a team like the Lightning have multiple top picks to have many players at the WJC, but to have 5 players that were drafted between the 2^nd and 4^th round at the top tournament in the world is a feat the Panthers scouts and management are proud of!

Owen Beck, C, Pick 33 2022

Beck is a 'do it all' forward who can be used in all situations. The 6'0 190lbs, right shot, forward produces offense without sacrificing detail defensively.

He's above the play when his group doesn't have control in the offensive zone. He can take key face-offs on both sides of the ice. Simply put, Beck is a trustworthy, 200ft, forward who skates well and has plenty of battle in his game.
The Panthers second-round pick (33rd) in 2022 will likely match up against top forwards and provide a layer of secondary offense for Team Canada.

Kasper Halttunen, W, Pick 38 2023

Adjusting to the smaller ice surface in North America - playing in London (OHL)
Involved physically. Pushes back. Finishes his checks. Battles when the game slows down.

Elite shooter. Fantastic release. Rips pucks from both flanks on the Knights first PP unit.
Tracking up and down the ice is exposing his skating stride at times.
Element is offense. Great puck touch. Quick catch and release.

The Panthers 2023 early 2^nd round pick should have a top 9 role for Finland.

Lenni Hameenaho, W, Pick 85, 2023

Producing mid-range offense in Liiga (Finland) - Element leans offense. Deployed at even strength and the power-play
Not a burner. Average plus skater with good mitts / ability to score from range.  Protects pucks well - finds second chances around the crease - quick release - does not require much time or space
Pace must go to another level for his element to succeed in North America.

The 2023 late 3^rd round pick should have a top 9 role for Finland.

Juraj Pekaric, W, Pick 73, 2023

A 3^rd round pick in the 23 draft who skated on the top line for Slovakia at U18's, is a gangly looking skater - average stride / edges.

He has good mitts and vision - tries to make plays offensively - competes - plays with energy
Some of his playmaking comes in high danger areas of the ice and result in turnovers as much as scoring chances
One of Slovakia’s top scorers at the 2023 U18’s with 13 pts in 11 games.

Pekaric should be a top 6 F for Slovakia at the 2023 WJC.

Jorian Donovan, D, Pick 111 2022

Continues to impress with the growth of his game overall. He’s leading defenceman scorer in Hamilton by a wide margin.

Being used in all situations. Averaging north of (23:00) TOI per game. Good distributor, from top/middle of offensive zone set-up, on the power-play.  He has the legs to attack off the rush at even strength. Sound instincts overall.

As with any young defender playing big minutes, he has room to improve his down low detail in his zone.

There are nights his intentions are right but his routes, gapping up and containing opponents to the perimeter, are just off. A minute-muncher who is trending up overall.

The 111^th Florida pick in 2022 was an injury call up in pre-tournament play, should be #7 D for Team Canada.