Florida Panthers Top Prospects: 25-21

25. Maxime Sauve, C, 21, Tours, France (PR: New)

6’2, 184lbs

Acquired in trade with Boston

 A former 2^nd rounder was picked up by the Panthers for a pair of picks at the draft. The France native is into is 2^nd year in the AHL with the Providence Bruins.  Its been an up and down year for Sauve. Falling behind the pace of last year, he heated up until he went down with an injury. Still with just 13 points in 26 games this season, it has sent him down a plummet on the Panthers prospect list.

“We really liked the upside of Sauve, and when the opportunity to pick him presented itself at a good price, it was hard to pass it up. His overall development progress hasn’t been the greatest. His struggles this year have left something to be desired. But the guy still has good size, and a lot of tools that can make him a very successful player at the pro level.”

24. Julian Melchiori, D, 20, Richmond Hill, Ontario (PR: 29)

6’4, 217lbs

Acquired in trade with Dallas

 Picked up in the deal that saw the Panthers pick up Luke Schenn. The big defenseman struggled in his first year in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers, after he decided against going to college. The offensive game didn’t translate, but it has come along much better in his 2^nd year. He had 19 points in 35 games with the Rangers but it picked up once he was dealt to the Oshawa Generals, where he has 12 points in 19 games. This has shot him up the Panthers ranks, from 29 to 24.

“The progress Julian has made is just great to see. The size and physicality he holds gives him a big advantage. But he holds a great offensive game and has a great crisp smooth pass which makes a great guy for our future. He definitely can mold his game more in the AHL but we feel he does have the talent and size to make a direct jump with a strong camp.”

23. Shane McColgan, RW, 19, Manhattan Beach, California (PR: New)

5’9, 170lbs

Drafted 5^th Round (149^th overall) in 2011

 The small forward from California was once considered one of the top prospects for the 2011 draft; fell all the way to the 2^nd last pick of the draft. His offense has simmered off since his rookie year. Falling below it in his sophomore year, and is on pace to do even worse in the point category this season for the Kelowna Rockets. And in a new trend he is the 2nd native of California to be on the Panthers top prospect list.

“We were really happy to get Shane in the draft. He is a guy who is a high risk but has a very high reward. His size holds him back, but if he can add some bulk he can be a bottom line guy that is physical but also holds a lot of offensive potential. But on the up side he can be a top line guy but that is a stretch. Either way he is still quite a few years away from making any sort of impact, and the next few years he will have to impress and show that he deserves a spot in our system.”

22. Ben Smith, RW, 23, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (PR: New)

5’11, 207lbs

Drafted 5th Round (122nd overall) in 2011