2008 NsHL Draft – First round – 30th overall
- Name: Nicolas Deschamps
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 173 lbs
- Birthdate: 1990-01-06
- Hometown: Delson, Quebec
Deschamps was ranked 35th by NHL Scouting and he continues to rise in the rankings. Florida liked his talents and completed a trade to move down in the draft (from 26 to 30) to not only secure his rights but also pick up another 2nd round pick (44th overall).
Deschamps is a very good skater who battles hard for the puck. He played for Canada at the U18 Championship in April, where he helped the team to win gold. He scored three goals for Canada in his seven games. Deschamps is a player projected to be 2nd or 3rd liner with great work ethic and leadership.
2008 NsHL Draft – Second round – 44th overall
- Name: Jake Allen
- Goalie
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 175 lbs
- Birthdate: 1990-08-07
- Hometown: Fredricton, New Brunswick
By trading the 26th overall pick in the draft, Florida took the player they wanted in Deschamps and got a bonus player at the 44th position. Panthers scouts elected to improve team depth in goal with the selection of Jake Allen.
Allen played for Canada’s under-18 squad, leading Canada to a sweep of all seven games, picking up two shutouts in the process, posting an astounding .948 save percentage, and leading Canada to the gold medal.
Allen is quick between the pipes and great at moving the puck. He’s also strong at controlling the puck when he makes a save, limiting rebounds.
2008 NsHL Draft – Second round – 56th overall
- Name: Shawn Lalonde
- Position: D
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 175 lbs
- Birthdate: 1990-03-10
- Hometown: Orleans, Ontario
Lalonde is one of the best skaters in the draft. The Panthers picked him up because of his skating but they also get a quality puck-moving defenseman to develop on the farm.
Shawn will play next season in Belleville working on his game.
2008 NsHL Draft – Third round – 86th overall
- Name: Adam Henrique
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 183 lbs
- Birthdate: 1990-02-06
- Hometown: Burford, Ontario
Henrique is a solid two-way player. He scored 44 points two season in-a-row with Windsor. This past spring he had five points in five Playoff games.
He excels on face-offs and the penalty kill. He’ll get a chance to play on an improved Windsor team this season and that could help his already good offensive skills and instincts.
He projects as a third line, two-way center, who can score 15 goals a season.
2008 NsHL Draft – Fourth round – 116th overall
- Name: Nathan Moon
- Position: C
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 179 lbs
- Birthdate: 1990-01-04
- Hometown: Belleville, Ontario
The Panthers did not own a fifth round pick this year but they wanted to grab Moon who was projected to be a high fifth round pick. Panther’s management made one call to GM Miller in Nashville and arranged a four pick swap which nets the Panthers the high fifth rounder they wanted.
But on draft day Panthers Management got a little antsy. As they were about to make their fourth round selection Panthers GM IronMike began to waiver. He might have been bluffed out by another poker-playing GM or maybe he had reason to be worried.
Regardless, the Panthers war-room called out Moon as their fourth round pick screwing up their draft board.
In Moon, they get an offensive-minded forward with big offensive upside. He scored 77 points on a bad Kingston Frontenacs team of the OHL. Moon is young and probably can play two more seasons in the OHL working on his game. Florida likes his ability to play all three forward positions.
2008 NsHL Draft – Fifth round – 121st overall
- Name: Justin Azevedo
- Position: C
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 5-7
- Weight: 183 lbs
- Birthdate: 1988-04-01
- Hometown: West Lorne, Ontario
Justin was the leading scoring in the OHL. His limitations have been well-documented. But this late in the draft the Panthers are more-than-willing to take a gamble on the kid. Plus the Panthers have always been known to favour OHL players so this pick is no shock to those who know IronMike.
"We think Justin can play in this league, “ IronMike said. “The kid is a winner and has character that we feel can make the difference."
