With the James Reimer injury sealing the fact the Panthers won’t make the playoffs this year, it is time to look at the 2018 draft to help reprovide the team with depth. The team has a hard choice in 2018. Do they pick a defenseman in the 1st round with a stacked D pool or do they go after a forward? I will be talking about the consensus #1 overall ranked prospect Rasmus Dahlin, a sweedish defenseman

Rasmus Dahlin
Pos: Defenseman
Cont: Sweden
Team: Frolunda (SHL)
Stats: 31 GP; 6-8-14

Dahlin is the best defenseman to enter the draft since Erik Karlsson. The Swedish defenseman plays a powerful 2 way game. He is known for his big hits and for his ability to make dazzling offensive plays.

Should the Panthers Draft Him?

This is a tough one but only pick hm if they can get rid of a couple of defensemen. Aaron Ekblad is arguably the team’s #1 defenseman although concussions have hampered his career. Dahlin is a left handed shot and with Keith Yandle’s contract and the emergence of Michael Matheson, that leaves the left side pretty crowded. However I don’t really think it matters having to pair a righty and lefty. The Panthers need offense. They only have 4 productive players up front. Owen Tippett and Henrik Borgstrom will likely produce when they reach the NHL. I really think if they get the #1 overall pick I think we should trade it to someone who has a top 10 pick in exchange for a Top 9 forward and that team’s 1st rounder. Dahlin deserves to go first overall and I don’t think the Panthers are the best fit for him.