The Florida Panthers announced the signing of their first 2013 draft pick, Aleksander Barkov, to an entry-level three-year contract. This was not exactly a surprise but it was a clear indicator that Florida general manager Dale Tallon is departing from his usual policy of not rushing draft picks to the NHL.
Clearly, his Panthers need all the help they can get and young Barkov may be a perfect fit at a bargain price as compared to the free-agent market.
When Tallon approached the podium at the draft in Newark, the hockey observers at the Prudential Center expected to hear Seth Jones’ name called. Jones was rated No. 1 or No. 2 by most scouting services, alternating with Nathan MacKinnon, who had already been selected by Colorado with the No. 1 pick.
It was no secret that Tallon coveted MacKinnon and thought he would be able to land him with his No. 2 pick. The Denver-raised Jones, a defenseman, seemed a natural fit for the Avs until their scouts dropped hints that they preferred a forward.
There were collective gasps in Newark when Tallon not only let Jones pass, but also skipped th ...
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Article written by Alan Greenberg