Panthers Top 20 Prospects: 20-16

Today we begin part 1 of this 4 part series. First we will look at the bottom of the barrel with the players from 20-16. All of them good prospects, who could have easily made it higher on the list. And so we go on counting down to the elusive #1.

20. AJ Jenks, LW, 19, Wolverine Lake, Michigan

6’2, 200lbs

Acquired: Drafted 2008

 Playing along with recent Panther prospect addition Robbie Czarnik, AJ is playing in his 4^th season with the Plymouth Whalers. Jenks is a strong power forward type who probably will develop into a solid bottom pairing winger, though if he shows he can score at the pro level, he could easily fill into a top 6 role.  Jenks is looking solid in his 4^th year with Plymouth and will almost certainly set career highs in points and already has in assists.

 You may recognize Jenks from team USA at the WJC. Jenks played a solid tournament with the States and came away with gold, along with two other Panthers prospects that we will see later in the list. Jenks is seen as a high risk, high reward type player for the team and if he pulls it all together it will look good for the team.

Why he is at #20: Well the last 2 to 3 guys on this list could have easily been replaced by the prospects we covered before, but a solid season in Plymouth and a nice WJC showing put him ahead of the others.

19. Grant Lewis, D, 25, Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania

6’3, 196lbs

Acquired: Trade with Philadelphia

 A former 2^nd rounder in 2004, Lewis has taken quite a road to get here. He played all 4 seasons at Dartmouth College where he played well but his stats had declined in his last 2 years. This past summer, Lewis was traded to the Panthers along with a pick and two other prospects, for goalie Dan Ellis.  He is a solid defenseman who just needs to work on the little things to be able to lock down a spot in the pros regularly.

  He has already secured a Calder Cup trophy in his career and has 1 NHL game in the books. He has having an ok this year with the Chicago Wolves but his offensive game doesn’t seem like it’s there like it was in his first two years in College. His first year in the MRFHL has been spent with the Florida Everblades where he has been playing solidly with 21 points in 46 games.

Why he is at #19: This one was hard; he is 25 so he has had more time to develop unlike others. But he is one of the closest to being in the pros so he beat out others.

18. Vladimir Zharkov, RW, 22, Elektrostal, Russia

6’1, 200lbs

Acquired: Trade with Philadelphia

 Vladimir Zharkov was one of the other prospects, along with Lewis that was acquired for Ellis. Zharkov has been a bit of a surprise this season for the Panthers.  He is a good defensive winger with a solid nose for the net. He is a pretty good skater but the knock on him is that unlike other Russians who come to North America, he is not a prolific offensive guy. He has the potential ability too but hasn’t put it all together.

  His season this year with Lowell Devils was so good that it earned him a spot with the pro team this year which he has used to his advantage. His offensive game still has not showed up but his great defensive play has kept him up on the pro team. In the MRFHL, he is playing well but the Everblades are pretty brutal all around and has not enjoyed too much success like the rest of the team.

Why he is at #18: Has turned it on this year and has improved well enough to earn him a spot on the list.

17. Chris Didomenico, C, 21, Woodbridge, Ontario

6’1, 180lbs

Acquired: Drafted 5^th round, 2008

Didomenico was passed over in the 2007 MRFHL draft, and it wasn’t till the 5^th round of the 2008 draft, he was finally snatched up by the Florida Panthers. The Panthers management was not running things during the 2007 draft and the GM was known to have been really high on him. When Wilson was signed on as GM in February of 2008, he knew that he would be taking him in the upcoming draft. Dido surely impressed with a 95 point season in Saint John, yet he fell to the Panthers in the 5^th round which shocked Dylan. When drafted Dylan said it was a steal saying he got a guaranteed 2^nd/3^rd line centre, that could even make a case for a 1^st line centre.

 Chris was on to another successful season and seemed poised to make a solid playoff run after being traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs. With 35 points in 15 playoff games he seemed amazing and a top prospect. But in the playoffs, Dido suffered a broken left femur which has sidelined him till just recently, which made him miss the rest of the playoffs and most of the QMJHL season. So what has he done since, put on a lot of muscle and hasn’t lost a step. In his return this season he has put up an impressive 15 points in 9 games which looks to have put his career back on track.

Why he is at #17: Easily could have been higher, but the broken femur pushed him back far down the list, though if he continues to play solid he will move back up quickly.

16. Andrej Nestrasil, RW/C, 18, Prague, Czech Republic 

6’2, 200lbs

Acquired: 3^rd Round, 75^th overall in 2009

 Andrej Nestrasil, the man from Prague. By Panther’s scouts, he is a steal in the 3^rd round. He is a European with all the skill, and plays like a North American by playing a gritty, hard nosed game and not afraid to hit or go into the boards. Another addition into the new breed of power forwards he exemplifies great skill and has a deadly shootout move. So what’s the problem? He needs to become a better skater.

 Nestrasil put up a good season in Victoriaville last year and seems to have improved on it this year. If his skating improves he seems like a sure fire top 6 forward since he has all the skills to accomplish that. It’s impressive to note that when taken in the NHL, he was ranked to go in the 1^st round by Red Wings scouts, which is saying a lot.

Why he is at #16: If skating was up to snuff, he would be in the top 5, but then again he wouldn’t have fell to the 3^rd round. A victim of better and more well rounded prospects ahead of him.

Stay tuned for part 2 in the next few days.