Welcome to the Pre-Draft June Prospect Update. A separate one will come out after the draft. Well we have some news with the Panthers down in the system so let’s get started.

Brown and Bystrom Resign

The Panthers resigned their first two prospects of the offseason. Minor league defenders Josh Brown and Ludwig Bystrom resigned with the Panthers. Brown, the 152nd overall pick in the 2013 draft has shown signs of promise in training camp and is one of the top prospects in the Panthers weak defensive farm system. Brown will stick with the team for two more years at $675,000. Brown put up 10 points in 66 games in his second AHL season. This is down from 13 points in 72 games last year. Ludwig Bystrom was acquired from the Stars in exchange for Reese Scarlett. The 23 year old Swede was the 43rd pick by the Stars in the 2012 draft. Bystrom was impressive with the Thunderbirds last year putting up 26 points in 51 games. Bystrom is signed to a 1 year deal at $650,000. Both defenders are dark horses to make the Panthers.

Bye Mascherin

Back in March, it was revealed that top prospect Adam Mascherin would not sign with the Panthers. Today is the deadline. Mascherin will become a UFA after today. In May, Bob McKenzie revealed that the Panthers had offered him a lucrative deal but Mascherin refused because he wasn’t “feeling the love”. Mascherin is playing a risky game. If he reenters the draft, he will likely be a late round pick which means less money and the Panthers can still draft him again. Because of this, Mascherin is being dropped from the top 10 prospect list. Goalie Hugo Fagerblom also has his deadline today but it is very unlikely Fagerblom will make an impact in North America.

Top 10 Prospect Rankings

1. Henrik Borgstrom
Pos: Center
RC: Even
Stats: Denver (NCAA) 40 GP 23-29-52 & Florida (NHL) 4 GP 1-0-1
Potential: Top 6 Forward
Projected Arrival: 2018-19

2. Owen Tippett
Pos: Winger
RC: Even
Stats: Mississauga (OHL) 56 GP 36-39-75; Springfield (AHL) 5 GP 1-1-2; Florida (NHL) 7 GP 1-0-1
Potential: Top 6 Forward
Projected Arrival: 2018-19

3. Aleski Heponiemi
Pos: Center
RC: Even
Stats: Swift Current (WHL) 57 GP 28-90-118
Potential: Top 9 Forward
Projected NHL Arrival: 2020-21

4. Riley Stillman
Pos: Defense
RC: New
Stats: Oshawa (OHL) 29 GP 1-12-13; Hamilton (OHL) 33 GP 4-17-21
Potential: Top 6 Defenseman
Projected NHL Arrival: 2019-20

5. Patrick Bajkov
Pos: Winger
RC: Even
Stats: Everett (WHL) 72 GP 33-67-100
Potential: 3rd Line Forward
Projected NHL Arrival: 2019-20

6. Dryden Hunt
Pos: Winger
RC: Even
Stats: Springfield (AHL) 58 GP 23-23-46 & Florida (NHL) 11 GP 0-1-1
Potential: Bottom 6 Forward
Projected NHL Arrival: 2018-19

7. Jonathan Ang
Pos: Center
RC: Even
Stats: Peterborough (OHL) 39 GP 15-28-43 & Sarnia (OHL) 26 GP 10-17-27
Potential: 3rd Line Forward
Projected NHL Arrival: 2019-20

8. Samuel Montembeault
Pos: Goalie
RC: Even
Stats: Springfield (AHL) 41 GP 3.25 GAA .896 SVPCT
Potential: Starting Goalie
Projected NHL Arrival: 2019-20

9. Harri Sateri
Pos: Goalie
RC: NEW
Stats: Springfield (AHL) 29 GP 2.30 GAA .927 SVPCT & Florida (NHL) 9 GP 2.92 GAA .911 SVPCT
Potential: Backup Goalie
Projected NHL Arrival: 2018-19

10. Anthony Greco
Pos: Winger
RC: Even
Stats: Springfield (AHL) 75 GP 29-19-48
Potential: 4th Line Forward
Projected NHL Arrival: 2018-19

BONUS 11-15 Ranked

11. Max Gildon
Pos: Defenseman
RC: -2
Stats: New Hampshire (NCAA) 36 GP 8-15-23
Potential: Top 6 Defenseman
Projected NHL Arrival: 2021-22

12. Jayce Hawryluk
Pos: Winger
Stats: Springfield (AHL) 64 GP 10-26-36 & Manchester (ECHL) 6 GP 0-2-2
Potential: 4th Line Forward
Projected NHL Arrival: 2018-19

13. Josh Brown
Pos: Defenseman
Stats: Springfield (AHL) 66 GP, 1-9-10
Potential: 7th Defenseman
Projected NHL Arrival: 2019-20

Note: I ran out of time so I can’t give detailed summaries on 14 and 15

14. Ludwig Bystrom (D)

15. Juho Lammikko (C)