Florida Panthers: Top 10 Prospects Entering the 2018 Season

9. Logan Hutsko, C [19] (3-89, 2018)

Stats (Boston College, NCAA): 37 gp, 12 g, 19 a, 31 p, 3 PPG, 2 GWG, .84 pts/g.

Logan Hutsko was one of the best Freshmen in the NCAA, although he was a year older than some of his competitors in that category. Hutsko missed extended time with an injury, so his hockey playing experience is about similar. He may have been drafted the year before this one, as a late-round pick, but was not taken. He could have been taken before pick 89 in this year’s draft as well, but the Florida Panthers may have lucked into a solid prospect in the third round.

Logan Hutsko was one of the best Freshmen in the NCAA

Hutsko was tied for 83rd in NCAA scoring but was sixth amongst Freshmen. He was also tied for 96th in points per game, although again, much of his competition has more experience in the NCAA. Hutsko was a key member of one of the best programs in the NCAA, and looked excellent as a playmaking center, even after years of injury. He needs to work on his shot and his goal production, lower than it perhaps should be, but he has time to do that. He could also work on his skating.

Hutsko won Rookie of the Year in the Hockey East (the conference Boston College belongs to). He was also on the All-Rookie Team and helped Boston College win the conference in the regular season. He looks to get more time next year in the NCAA, and if he proves successful again, developing where he should, he’ll make the transition to the AHL and begin his professional career. With Vincent Trocheck and Aleksander Barkov, the Florida Panthers may not need him to be anything more than a bottom-six center. It appears he can be that.