Panthers Get First Overall Pick- Future Being Kickstarted?
Last night, Florida Panthers fans were given rare positive news when it was announce that they won the first overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft after their name was picked from the Draft Lottery. After another poor season last year, the Panthers management should already been looking towards the next superstar of the franchise- and this draft year there is a lot of quality on show such as Canadian centre Sam Bennett, defenseman Aaron Ekblad or Sam Reinhart. Plus lets not forget top European prospect Kasperi Kapanen.
But does one play change an entire franchises luck? In the case of the Colorado Avalanche the answer to that question is indeed yes as last years number one pick Nathan Mackinnon has proven to be an excellent choice and is one of the favourites for the Calder Trophy this year after an excellent rookie season. However, there is a flipside to that coin, and some teams have failed to raise their game even after more than one first overall picks- yes I am referring to the Edmonton Oilers, who after get the first pick three times in the last five years have failed to improve as a team, which still leaves Alberta hockey fans secretly seething as players such as Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov despite immense promise, leave them rooted near the foot of the Western Conference!
Last year, the Panthers went for Aleksander Barkov as the second overall pick, who has shown signs of progress after a slow start and after winning a bronze with Finland at the Sochi Olympics could prove to be one of the future startlets of the franchise- but to improve he will need to be paired with the right offense which is why the Panthers will need to choose wisely in this upcoming draft.
Buffalo Sabre's fans may feel aggrieved at not getting the pick they want, but the Panthers will take this with both hands- If you feel like trading the number one pick to the Canucks, we'll happily take it from you though!
But does one play change an entire franchises luck? In the case of the Colorado Avalanche the answer to that question is indeed yes as last years number one pick Nathan Mackinnon has proven to be an excellent choice and is one of the favourites for the Calder Trophy this year after an excellent rookie season. However, there is a flipside to that coin, and some teams have failed to raise their game even after more than one first overall picks- yes I am referring to the Edmonton Oilers, who after get the first pick three times in the last five years have failed to improve as a team, which still leaves Alberta hockey fans secretly seething as players such as Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov despite immense promise, leave them rooted near the foot of the Western Conference!
Last year, the Panthers went for Aleksander Barkov as the second overall pick, who has shown signs of progress after a slow start and after winning a bronze with Finland at the Sochi Olympics could prove to be one of the future startlets of the franchise- but to improve he will need to be paired with the right offense which is why the Panthers will need to choose wisely in this upcoming draft.
Buffalo Sabre's fans may feel aggrieved at not getting the pick they want, but the Panthers will take this with both hands- If you feel like trading the number one pick to the Canucks, we'll happily take it from you though!
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