Well, I won’t be doing my usual SHL/SMJHL draft position comparison this season as I just don’t have the time to complete it right now. However, if time permits, maybe I’ll still do it and not have it in the 2x media bonus time. That being said, I still want to get something out there and earn myself a little bit of money, and what better way to do that by looking at the LA Panthers draft this season? The draft has passed and I’ve had a few days of getting to know some of the newly drafted Panthers, so I think this is a perfect time to give my thoughts on the draft and how I think we did.

Let’s start off in Round 1:
7. Los Angeles Panthers - Disisde Dayudie
8. Los Angeles Panthers (via West Kendall Platoon) - Vorian Atreides

In such a deep draft, having 2 very high picks is a blessing, and the Panthers used those picks wisely. The talent in the draft was abundant, and there was a mix of both recreates and first gen players. While getting first gen players was definitely on the Panthers radar, the main focus was getting – what we thought – to be the best players available at each of our picks.

Firstly, the 7th overall pick: Disisde Dayudie. A stud defenseman who is extremely active. Not only is he constantly active around the SHL and activiating his player, but he has injected so much life in to the Panthers locker room. That’s not to say the locker room wasn’t good before, as it’s always been a great place to be. But seeing his contributions to the team already is something that couldn’t have been anticipated. I think this is going to be an excellent pick when looking back at this draft.

The 8th overall pick: Vorian Atreides. Another one of those “I can’t believe he dropped to us” picks. Vorian is a member who has had a great track record with creating good players and being a well respected and good member to have as a part of your team. I found out that I actually drafted his very first player (Ivo Willems) to the Vancouver Whalers way back in Season 10. I liked him as a person and player then, and that hasn’t changed now. Absolutely outstanding to have these two back to back picks in the first round.

Round 2:
17. Los Angeles Panthers (via Hamilton Steelhawks) - Kalevolaripaavo Käspertommevisnapuu
29. Los Angeles Panthers (via West Kendall Platoon, via Winnipeg Jets, via New Orleans Specters) - Gylfi Eriksson

The 17th overall pick: Kalevolaripaavo Käspertommevisnapuu. That is going to be the last time in this article I will put his full name. Even with the copy/paste function on a computer, I still find this name unbelievably long. Whether it be Kasper, KK, KaKa, you can go ahead and find a nickname for yourself. I’m going to call him Kasper. I didn’t know much about Kasper prior to the draft, however I heard god things. For someone who was one of the draft class’ top TPE earners, we had no intentions that he would be available at 17. Not sure how he slipped through the cracks, but I will not complain about this one. Another recreate with a proven track record of good players is always a fantastic addition to a team. I think this is going to be a pick that other GMs kick themselves about that they let him fall this far.

29th overall pick: Gylfi Eriksson. The Panthers traded with the Platoon to move back from 23 to 29, and we were somewhat weary of doing so because we weren’t sure who might be available at 29. Boy oh boy was this a blessing. Not only did the trade bring in a future 2nd round pick, but it brought in Gylfi. Once again not someone I knew of, but I had seen his progression throughout the SMJHL and had my eyes on him in the draft. He previously made a player in Season 44 but retired him early (some wiring malfunction which lead to his ultimate retirement). However he came back and decided to take another shot at it. I think this was a great pickup and a potential steal of the draft if he keeps at it and earns his TPE.

Round 4
55. Los Angeles Panthers - Flash Gordon

The final pick for the Panthers draft (picks in the 5th and 6th rounds were skipped). The 5th pick at pick 55. A pick that almost didn’t happen, as it was almost passed, however clever thinking by management decided to wait and see what would happen prior to the pick coming around. Just as we had hoped, multiple skipped picks right before this one led to Gordon falling to Los Angeles. And active member picked up in the fourth round? Thank you to everyone who skipped and didn’t select him earlier. He’s come in to the locker room and been a great addition. Perhaps slightly behind in TPE in his draft class, but there is no indication that he will stop earning TPE. The Panthers got themselves an active member and hope that he finds his stride to be an excellent pick up at this stage in the draft.

Draft Grade: A+
Now I may be biased on this one, but whenever you come out of the draft with 5 active members (5!), I really don’t see how you can argue anything less than a great draft. Not to mention the activity levels, but these members were some of the top TPE earners in this year’s draft class heading in to the draft this past weekend. Scouting from the Panthers head office was handled in a fantastic manner and brought in more active members to an already young, up and coming core.

Not only do the Panthers have a very respectable roster as it currently stands (even bringing in Dani Forsberg from the Platoon earlier today), but they have one of the deepest prospect pools in the SHL. While the rebuild and gloomy days in LA have come, it looks as though the dust has settled and the only way to go is up. I predict the Panthers will be a very tough to team to compete with for many seasons. Then again, I’m on the team and may be biased, so who knows if I’m right.

I give massive props to the team’s management and scouting team for bringing in the crop of rookies. Can’t wait to hit the ice with this team for many seasons to come.

1110 Words, 2x draft media bonus