Florida Panthers Top Prospects: 20-16

20. Josh Nicholls, RW, 19, Tsawwassen, British Columbia (PR: New)

6’2, 192lbs

Drafted 3rd round (72nd overall) in 2011

Nicholls was passed up in his MRFHL draft. So when he went back for his 3^rd year in the WHL, on a stacked Saskatoon Blades team. He came out to prove that he is a legitimate prospect. Potting 34 goals and 53 assists, crushing his previous high, Nicholls jumped up into many draft books, and the Panthers could not pass up the opportunity to take him. Into his 4^th year he has continued his dominance with 55 points in 47 games, a season which was hampered by a mid-season injury.

“We really like Josh. He possesses good size for the pro game, and is very quick on his skates. His offensive game has come along very nicely in the dub the last few years and we are excited about it. But what we really like about him, is that he plays a very good two-way game and is a versatile player. He still has a few more years before he makes an impact. But we really like his skill set and could be an invaluable guy on the bottom half of our roster during a playoff push.”

19. Nick Shore, C, 19, Denver, Colorado (PR: New)

6’0, 184lbs

Acquired in trade with Pittsburgh

Nick Shore’s name will always be overshadowed. Being the other piece to come to Florida in the blockbuster deal for Sidney Crosby, his name was rarely mentioned in the presser. But the Denver native was a key piece in the deal. In his sophomore year in his hometown team of the University of Denver, he has put up impressive numbers alongside his brother Drew (Chicago). With 33 points in 34 games, he has been a key part in Denver’s season sitting 4^th on the team in points.

“We really pushed to get Shore in that deal. Even though we were getting one of the best players in the league, Shore was a vital piece for us. We really wanted to take him in the draft, but unfortunately we only have so many picks. Like Nicholls, Shore is a very good two-way forward that reads the game very well. He maybe needs to hone more of his abilities, but we feel he is a very safe bet for the pros, and I think we could see him here, as soon as a 2 years from now.”

18. Cory Emmerton, C, 23, St.Thomas, Ontario (PR: 19)

6’0, 191lbs

Acquired in trade with Colorado

At 23, this will be the last time Cory Emmerton makes the list. It is his third time on the top prospect list and barely moving in the order. Emmerton has worked his way into a full time gig with the Detroit Red Wings. With 10 points in 53 games, he has been a cog in the bottom of the lineup.

“We still believe Cory is a big part of our organization. He most likely wont be a top 2 center like we envisioned he could become, but a very good 3^rd line center seems to be his future. He has shown brief glimpses of the offensive game he can have and that he showed in junior. We really expect him to be a key piece in our bottom 6 forward group next season and hopefully along the way he can rekindle his offensive touch that made him a 2^nd round pick.”

17. Daniel Catenacci, C, 18, Newmarket, Ontario (PR: New)

5’10, 185lbs

Drafted 2nd round (50th overall) in 2011

A former 1^st overall pick in the OHL, Catenacci has been a bit of a letdown in his time in junior. Only 30 points in his rookie, his draft stock would rise again with a solid 2^nd season. The Panthers would grab him in the 2^nd round after trading up and he moved to Owen Sound in the offseason. The offense hasn’t jumped up this season for Daniel, posting similar numbers to last season. Whether the young forward can take that dominance that made him a #1 pick remains to be seen.

“We really worked hard to trade for that pick to get him. To be honest we expected more of an improvement out of him this season but we are still very happy with the pick. His size is a disadvantage, but he has so much skill and speed to be a dangerous forward at the pro level. We knew when we took him that he would be a risk of a pick, but it was still something that we could not pass on. When we originally took him, we believed that he would make a quick transition out of junior, but now we feel that he will most likely need time in the minors before he can make that jump.”

16. Jordan Weal, C, 19, North Vancouver, British Columbia (PR: New)

5’10, 171 lbs

Acquired in Trade with Columbus

The slick and speedy Jordan Weal really busted onto the scene in 2009-10, playing with Canadian hero Jordan Eberle on the Regina Pats. In his 3^rd year he put up 102 points, the next season without Eberle his production fell a touch down to 96. In what will be his final year in the WHL, the offense returned for Weal, with 8 games left in the year he has already matched his career high of 102. Skill does not seem to be in doubt for Weal, but like former WHL top scorer and fellow small forward, Brandon Kozun, making the transition to the pro game becomes an uphill battle due to his size.

“At our last trade chat, the opportunity presented itself to get Weal. He was a guy we targeted at the 2010 draft, but lost out on the chance to take him. So when Columbus was after Braun, we made sure that Weal was in the discussion. He plays with a rough edge and there is no denying that he has talent. The size will be the biggest hurdle, and if he can add some more muscle the next few years, he can be at the pro level very soon.”