No stranger to the draft floor, and rebuilding a team through traditional means, Dale Tallon was selected to end the suffering in the Sunshine State, a team that hasn't seen success since Tampa Bay won a cup years back. It's no secret that Tallon was the architect in Chicago, and brought together a talented and tough core in Chicago, with Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook headlining the Cup Winning Hawks team.
The question is; can he replicate his success, while running on a budget?
The cupboard already had tools when Tallon arrived, having one of the best goalie prospects drafted by an NHL team in Jacob Markstrom. In 2010, Tallon continued with his mold, selecting three times in the first round, all picks being big two-way character players. With Gudbranson, the hope was that Florida would have a potential top pairing defender down the line. To add to the third overall pick, Tallon would finish day one of the draft with Nick Bjugstad, a project center with high upside in a large body, and then finished off taking the gifted winger Quinton Howden, who also had size. As you can tell, Dale Tallon likes big tough players.
Year two of the
'new' rebuild in Florida, and Tallon once more has the third overall pick, stepping up the podium in Minnesota.
"With the third overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft," he coughed. "The Florida Panthers are proud to select, from the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, center,
Jonathan Huberdeau."
The pick has Tallon written all over it. A gifted offensive center, with raw two-way skills, leadership intangibles and decent size, with room to grow, Huberdeau was everything that Tallon looked for in his players.
One of the fastest risers in this years draft class, Huberdeau is a high reward project with great skill. Some of the best hands to headline the 2011 group, Huberdeau is a 6'1 171 lb center from Toronto, ON, having grown up in the Maritimes. Drawing comparisons to current NHL'ers such as Jonathan Toews, Pavel Datsyuk and Jeff Carter, Huberdeau is the type of center who can do it all; a talented playmaker, superb finisher and high end vision all highlight a package of skill and intangibles.
In 67 Regular season games this season, Huberdeau would score 43 times and add 62 assists to the top-rated Sea Dogs, good for third in league scoring. To add to that, Huberdeau has been lights out in the post season, adding 10 goals and 9 assists in 8 playoff games.
It's been said that potential first round pick, Zack Phillips, also of the Sea Dogs, saw his stock rise because of the creative playmaking of Huberdeau. In his time with the Sea Dogs, Huberdeau has become known as a player who elevates the game of those around him.
After watching Ryan Johansen's stock rise last season to that of a top five pick, Huberdeau looks to follow in his footsteps. The Ontario native is one of the most creative players this crop can offer, and has good size to back him up. While his defensive game still needs some polishing, scouts remark that the raw tools are there for him to be a two-way force, with coaching. Not to mention, Huberdeau is considered a leader, and potential Captain one day.
Look for this talented center to turn a terrific regular season, and even better post season into a top five finish.
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