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After an uneventful first round of the 2026 NHL draft for the Florida Panthers, they were more than ready when Saturday rolled around, and it was time for them to make their six selections.
“It was really hard this year, it was really hard to get picks, so I think that says a lot about the draft class,” general manager Bill Zito said. “We’re very very excited and looking forward to working with these young men and making them Florida Panthers.”
Their first pick of the morning was No. 40 — the eighth of the second round. And with it, they picked up right winger Simas Ignatavičius, who was initially projected to go earlier in the draft. The 18-year-old was Daily Faceoff’s projected 35th pick.
He is listed at 6 feet 3 and 201 pounds. He played for the National League of Switzerland during the 2025-26 season and logged 13 points in 52 games. He also has played internationally, representing Lithuania, making him an experienced addition.
He fits with the Panthers’ physicality and is a quick, versatile pickup. Just as Zito felt for each of the picks, he is a player that will fit Florida’s style whenever it comes time for him to play.
“Each of these players in our minds fits the mold that they could plug into our team without regard to the actual timing,” Zito said.
Shortly after, the Panthers utilized the No. 48 pick to grab forward Ryder Cali, much to the delight of the 17-year-old.
“Florida is like the best place to get drafted ever,” he said. “I think I fit the Florida Panthers play style as much as possible.”
He was another selection projected to go earlier, and also like Ignatavičius, will fit nicely with the Panthers. He also brings the physicality that is such a large part of the franchise’s identity, and will be another high-energy player they can rely on down the depth chart when he arrives.
The Lugano, Switzerland, native spent last season with the Ontario Hockey League, where he had 36 points in 47 games. Cali still has room to develop, especially with his young age, and the 6-foot-2, 218-pound forward is committed to Providence College for the 2026-27 season.
He is a high-IQ player and solid skater, adding to the physicality and size he brings.
After sitting out the third round, the Panthers were back in the fourth with the No. 98 pick. They selected their first defenseman in Jonas Kemps.
The 6-foot-6 left-shot spent the 2025-26 season with the Chicago Steel. At just 18 years old, he will go to the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds this year, and then he is committed to Michigan State University for the 2027-28 season.
He will bring size and steadiness above all to a future Florida squad.
“Size does matter, it certainly matters in our system,” Zito said.
The Panthers then bided their time as the remainder of the fourth and entire fifth round went by before selecting twice in the sixth.
They started with Vilho Vanhatalo, a 6-foot-4, 194-pound right winger from Finland. The 18-year-old’s trademark is his strong shot, which he can get off with very little space.
He spent last season with Tappara’s U20 crew, where his physicality also stood out – a trait consistently showing up in Florida’s selections and not at all by accident. He logged 19 points in 38 games on the season.
Florida rounded out the sixth round with another forward, Cole Zurawski. The 6-foot-1, 194-pound Canadian is committed to Notre Dame for next season. He’s an instinctual, aggressive player with a dangerous shot.
He spent the last two seasons with the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack, where he racked up 46 points in 63 contests in last year’s campaign. Aside from what shows up on the stat sheet, Zurawski is consistently recognized for his work ethic.
Finally, the Panthers selected a goalie. They picked up 19-year-old Louis-Antoine Denault, who has competed in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League for the past three seasons. In the back half of last season with the Newfoundland Regiment, he posted a 2.69 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
He stands a whopping 6 feet 8, but athleticism and strength come with it, further setting him apart. He’s comfortable and strong in scramble and second-chance scenarios. He also attended development camp with the Panthers last season.
“I already know him, I know his character, I’ve worked with him before so I can see a little bit of his skill set and talent, so it makes it a lot easier,” Zito said.
Continue reading...
“It was really hard this year, it was really hard to get picks, so I think that says a lot about the draft class,” general manager Bill Zito said. “We’re very very excited and looking forward to working with these young men and making them Florida Panthers.”
Their first pick of the morning was No. 40 — the eighth of the second round. And with it, they picked up right winger Simas Ignatavičius, who was initially projected to go earlier in the draft. The 18-year-old was Daily Faceoff’s projected 35th pick.
He is listed at 6 feet 3 and 201 pounds. He played for the National League of Switzerland during the 2025-26 season and logged 13 points in 52 games. He also has played internationally, representing Lithuania, making him an experienced addition.
He fits with the Panthers’ physicality and is a quick, versatile pickup. Just as Zito felt for each of the picks, he is a player that will fit Florida’s style whenever it comes time for him to play.
“Each of these players in our minds fits the mold that they could plug into our team without regard to the actual timing,” Zito said.
Shortly after, the Panthers utilized the No. 48 pick to grab forward Ryder Cali, much to the delight of the 17-year-old.
“Florida is like the best place to get drafted ever,” he said. “I think I fit the Florida Panthers play style as much as possible.”
He was another selection projected to go earlier, and also like Ignatavičius, will fit nicely with the Panthers. He also brings the physicality that is such a large part of the franchise’s identity, and will be another high-energy player they can rely on down the depth chart when he arrives.
The Lugano, Switzerland, native spent last season with the Ontario Hockey League, where he had 36 points in 47 games. Cali still has room to develop, especially with his young age, and the 6-foot-2, 218-pound forward is committed to Providence College for the 2026-27 season.
He is a high-IQ player and solid skater, adding to the physicality and size he brings.
After sitting out the third round, the Panthers were back in the fourth with the No. 98 pick. They selected their first defenseman in Jonas Kemps.
The 6-foot-6 left-shot spent the 2025-26 season with the Chicago Steel. At just 18 years old, he will go to the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds this year, and then he is committed to Michigan State University for the 2027-28 season.
He will bring size and steadiness above all to a future Florida squad.
“Size does matter, it certainly matters in our system,” Zito said.
The Panthers then bided their time as the remainder of the fourth and entire fifth round went by before selecting twice in the sixth.
They started with Vilho Vanhatalo, a 6-foot-4, 194-pound right winger from Finland. The 18-year-old’s trademark is his strong shot, which he can get off with very little space.
He spent last season with Tappara’s U20 crew, where his physicality also stood out – a trait consistently showing up in Florida’s selections and not at all by accident. He logged 19 points in 38 games on the season.
Florida rounded out the sixth round with another forward, Cole Zurawski. The 6-foot-1, 194-pound Canadian is committed to Notre Dame for next season. He’s an instinctual, aggressive player with a dangerous shot.
He spent the last two seasons with the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack, where he racked up 46 points in 63 contests in last year’s campaign. Aside from what shows up on the stat sheet, Zurawski is consistently recognized for his work ethic.
Finally, the Panthers selected a goalie. They picked up 19-year-old Louis-Antoine Denault, who has competed in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League for the past three seasons. In the back half of last season with the Newfoundland Regiment, he posted a 2.69 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
He stands a whopping 6 feet 8, but athleticism and strength come with it, further setting him apart. He’s comfortable and strong in scramble and second-chance scenarios. He also attended development camp with the Panthers last season.
“I already know him, I know his character, I’ve worked with him before so I can see a little bit of his skill set and talent, so it makes it a lot easier,” Zito said.
Continue reading...
