{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/phixUM5h.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Panthers prospect Linus Eriksson speaks during Development Camp on July 10.", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/phixUM5h-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/phixUM5h.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/phixUM5h.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/phixUM5h-6LgJnXEq.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 516769, "filesize": 14469554, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/phixUM5h-1QJ1dkot.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 723737, "filesize": 20264660, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/phixUM5h-h6aVm5rK.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1857581, "filesize": 52012282, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/phixUM5h-UQSYMDp9.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113468, "filesize": 3177115 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/phixUM5h-vnHaI3dA.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 1080, "width": 1920, "label": "1080p", "bitrate": 4275479, "filesize": 119713427, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/phixUM5h-yFReK32n.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 788894, "filesize": 22089052, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/phixUM5h-0LealTTd.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 1277572, "filesize": 35772025, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Florida Panthers are on top of the hockey world, for now." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "This year’s Stanley Cup Champions had been working and building toward their goal for the past several seasons, but now they must balance trying to remain elite at the NHL level while still keeping an eye on the future." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "That can prove challenging, especially if you’re a team, like Florida, that spent much of its higher draft capital on NHL-level players in an attempt to push for said championship. " } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg" }, "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "With the idea of restocking the cupboard with high-end young talent, Panthers General Manager Bill Zito decided to trade up at this year’s NHL Draft in Las Vegas." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Florida did not have a selection in either of the first two rounds, but Zito flipped a couple picks to Toronto, including next season’s second rounder, and moved up to snag Swedish centerman Linus Eriksson. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The 18-year-old is still at least a season away from making the move to North America, but he’ll be skating with grown men in HockeyAllsvenskan for the second consecutive season on a contract with Djurgardens IF. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Last week, Eriksson got a taste of post-draft life. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "He joined a few dozen of his Panthers prospect colleagues for Development Camp at the team’s new practice facility in Fort Lauderdale. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Despite having been drafted only a couple weeks earlier, Eriksson stood out at D-Camp for several of the right reasons, showing off his strong skating ability and offensive skillet while displaying several characteristics of his strong two-way reputation. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "He also wasn’t afraid to be confident, even trying the Peter Forsberg move during a shootout attempt at the D-Camp scrimmage. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It will be fun to track Eriksson’s career path as he continues working toward his goal of playing in the NHL. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The next step will be signing a professional contract in North America, something that could happen as soon as next year once his season with Djurgardens IF comes to an end in the spring." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "That doesn’t mean it will happen that quickly for Eriksson, but making the jump across the pond and starting to make way up the organizational ladder is something that many young players look to do sooner rather than later. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Collect trading cards of your favorite hockey players at anytime and anywhere with Upper Deck e-Pack! Grow your collection by opening packs and trade with others. Unlock exclusive achievements like Connor Bedard parallels available in Series Two product available now on UpperDeckEpack.com." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Matthew Tkachuk’s mouthpiece has made it to the Hockey Hall of Fame" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Panthers Chris McLellan takes Stanley Cup fishing in Florida Keys as summer Cup trips begin" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Finnish Florida Panthers enjoying life during summer as Stanley Cup Champions" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Enjoy Florida Panthers Stanley Cup Final victory in 19 different languages" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "First look at Florida Panthers names added to Stanley Cup" } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg" }, "caption": "" } } ] }

Panthers 2024 top pick Linus Eriksson enjoys strong start with Florida