2026-27 Florida Panthers Top Prospects

** Different sites can use different criteria for determining who is still a prospect. Also, for Dobber Prospect lists they take a fantasy hockey approach – prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL.

Simas Ignatavicius – Ignatavičius is a big, versatile winger who combines a 6-foot-3 frame with impressive skill, a powerful shot, good hockey sense, and a willingness to play physically. He is effective both with and without the puck, showing strong defensive awareness and the ability to create offense from difficult areas, while his experience playing against professionals in Switzerland has helped accelerate his development. His biggest question is offensive ceiling, as he may not possess the dynamic skating or play-driving ability necessary to consistently create high-end offense at the NHL level.

Jack Devine – Devine’s game is built around anticipation, vision, and puck distribution rather than elite skating or physicality. He sees plays develop before most players and excels at creating opportunities for teammates. The biggest question is whether his average foot speed and modest physical game will limit him at the NHL level. At this point, he projects as a middle-six offensive forward who could become a useful power-play contributor if his skating continues to improve.

Sandis Vilmanis – Vilmanis is a skilled, competitive winger with good size, a dangerous shot, and an improving ability to create offense at professional speed. He has become more effective at finding open space and attacking scoring areas, while his combination of puck skill, physical engagement, and work ethic gives him versatility throughout the lineup.

Gracyn Sawchyn – The undersized but highly skilled forward was one of the WHL’s most productive players before turning professional and has already shown encouraging signs in the AHL. Sawchyn’s greatest strengths are his creativity, speed, puck skills, and relentless work ethic. He attacks defenders aggressively, plays with energy every shift, and has the vision to create scoring chances off the rush. His size remains the biggest concern, as he will need to continue adding strength to handle NHL competition. Defensively, he is still learning the details of the pro game, particularly if he remains at center.

Ryder Cali – Cali is a powerful, physically mature center who combines a 6-foot-2 frame with strong skating, competitiveness, puck protection, and solid two-way hockey sense. He plays an aggressive, direct style, competes hard for possession, and has enough skill and shooting ability to generate offense rather than functioning strictly as a checking forward.

2026 Florida Panthers Draft Picks

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