Welcome to the 4 part series where we review the Panthers top 20 prospects. We have a ton of young players on this list. Now these players in order to qualify must have played under 40 games in the NHL. Due to that Logan Shaw and Jared McCann do not qualify. Lets get started with number 20:

20 Joe Wegwerth (F)

Wegwerth was drafted with the 92nd overall pick in 2014 by the Panthers. Wegwerth is at Notre Dame. He had 1 goal and 4 points in 30 games with the Fighting Irish. According to Hockey’s Future he is a strong powerful player who uses his size to his advantage and plays on the edge. Wegwerth is projected to be a fourth line player when he reaches his ceiling. Projected NHL Arrival: 2020-21

19 Denis Malgin (C)

The Panthers drafted Malgin with the 102nd overall pick last year. He signed an ELC. He had 5 goals and 12 assists in 38 games while playing alongside Auston Matthews (the number 1 overall pick in 2016) in Zurich. According to Hockey’s Future he is a solid two way player who is an adept skater with good hockey smarts. He uses his creativity to help develop his game. He is a projected boom or bust prospect who could end up like Artemi Panarin. Projected NHL Arrival: 2019-20

18 Shane Harper (RW)

Harper is one of the better prospects in the AHL. Hockey’s Future has nothing on him. He has bounced around in the AHL over the past few years. Another Panthers site http://www.catsontheprowl.com has him possibly coming up as an injury replacement this year. I do agree with COTP but I don’t think he will be ready to see full NHL time for a couple years. He had 37 points in 59 games with Portland of the AHL last season. Projected NHL Arrival: 2018-19

17 Brent Regner (D)

Regner is the captain in Portland. He saw a few games of NHL experience this year and didn’t overly impress like Michael Matheson did. He was the 137th overall pick by Columbus in 2008. Now I predict he will be 10th on the Defensive Depth Chart next year behind Kindl, Kampfer and McCoshen. I think he could come up as an injury sub but I don’t see him as a regular for a long time. Projected NHL Arrival: 2019-20

16 Jonathan Racine (D)

Racine has 1 game of NHL experience under his belt in 2013-14 as an injury sub. Last year he had 9 points in 69 games for Portland. He was the 87th overall pick in 2011 by Florida. I think Racine will be under Regner in the Depth Chart. Now Racine got an extension. If he has an extremely good camp he can make the NHL. I don’t see Racine in the NHL next year. Projected NHL Arrival: 2019-20

15 Sam Brittan (G)

Brittan was the backup goalie in the AHL. He is also near the bottom of the Panthers Goaltending Depth Chart. He came up to be the backup to Dan Ellis after Lu and Montoya were injured in the same game. I don’t see Brittan up here for a while with Reimer and Luongo locked up long term and Montembeault and Stevens as the goaltending duo of the future. Projected NHL Arrival: 2021-22

14 Adam Mascherin (LW)

Adam Mascherin was the 38th overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Panthers. Mascherin has a lethal shot and is considered to be a future star. He was also a steal in the draft. He will be a future stud. Projected NHL Arrival: 2019-20