The Florida Panthers have signed another exciting young prospect today, inking Patrick Bajkov to a three-year entry-level contract. The 20-year old forward is playing for the Everett Silvertips in the WHL, but could spend some time on an amateur tryout in the AHL before the end of the season.
Bajkov wasn’t selected in the NHL draft, but has impressed scouts all season with his offensive explosion for Everett. With 92 points in 67 games—the WHL site has him at 92, while the Florida release lists 91—he ranks ninth in WHL scoring and easily leads the Silvertips. A deadly playmaker on the powerplay, he should bring a good level of offense to the AHL level.
The question that will follow Bajkov is can he produce at the NHL level. The 6’0″ 185-lbs forward was ranked as high as 113th on the NHL’s Central Scouting list for North American players, but projections for where he would fit into an NHL lineup aren’t positive. Though that powerplay prowess could carry him through, it’s unlikely he’d be an impact player in limited minutes and could have trouble cracking a lineup without a chance to operate with other skilled players.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the production this season entirely, and the Panthers are more than willing to take a chance on a player with high on-ice vision. They’ve developed other overlooked players in the past, and will try again with Bajkov.
I fell like this guy could’ve been the poster boy for the McDavid effect if he’d gone to Edmonton.