After some savvy wheeling and dealing, the Florida Panthers are currently slated to make nine - yes, nine - total selections at this week's draft at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. Round 1 of will take place on Friday, June 21, while Rounds 2-7 will be knocked out on Saturday, June 22.
At last year's draft in Dallas, the Panthers added six prospects to their deepening pool, including a pair of potentially elite-level forwards in Grigori Denisenko (15th overall) and Serron Noel (34th overall) with their first two picks. Since being drafted, both players have earned national praise.
After standing pat at the NHL Draft Lottery in April, Florida enters this year's event with the 13th overall selection for the first time in franchise history. In addition to their first-round choice, they also possess at least one pick in each of the draft's seven rounds, including three in the fourth.
For draft news and articles, check out
https://www.nhl.com/panthers/team/draftcentral
all week.
"These next few weeks are going to be exciting for us,"
Panthers President of Hockey Operations & General Manger Dale Tallon recently told The Athletic.
"We are taking things day by day and we will keep progressing. We're not moving backward. We are moving forward. Every day is important to us right now because we have to make the right decisions here whether it is in the draft or being aggressive on July 1. We're committed, we're ready and we are willing. All of those good things."
If you want to watch the draft surrounded by other Panthers fans, we've also got you covered. Rather than having one official watch party, bars and restaurants that are part of the "Territory on Tap" program - such as the Funky Buddha Brewery or Bokamper's Bar & Grill -- will give fans a place to tune-in to the draft.
For a full list of locations you can visit, click HERE.
