Southeast Rookie Showcase: Predators and Panthers Prospects to Watch

The Nashville Predators rookies continue their play at the Southeast Rookie Showcase today as they face the Florida Panthers rookies at 5:00 pm CT. In yesterday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Joakim Kemell scored twice but the Predators lost 4-3. In a rookie showcase that precedes training camp, players are looking to highlights their strengths on the ice as the team begins to learn basic systems and build relationships with potential future line mates. 

Today at 5:00 pm CT, the Predators will play the Florida Panthers in Estero, FL. Here are three player to watch from each team. 

L'Heureux is leaving behind a QMJHL career in which he played 167 games and scored 62 goals and 190 points. In last season's postseason run with the Halifax Mooseheads, L'Heureux played 20 games and scored 11 goals and 26 points. He is a physical player who is ready to play at the next level and grow in the AHL. 

L'Heureux had several hits in yesterday's game playing on a line with Navrin Mutter and fellow physical forward Kalan Lind. If Karl Taylor keeps this group together, they could be a disruptive force on the ice, but L'Heureux has lots of offensive upside that could get him on the stat sheet this weekend.

Askarov played the first two periods in yesterday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but Karl Taylor will want to see more from the Milwaukee Admirals presumptive starter this weekend. Askarov can make big saves under pressure and likes to come out of the net to play the puck, so it is hardly ever boring when he is on the ice.

Stastney played eight games last season with the Predators and in the game against the Lightning yesterday, he used his skating to make smart defensive plays. He is only in his second season in the AHL but is a calming presence on the ice for the defense. He and Adam Wilsby played a lot of minutes together for the Admirals last season and were the Predators top defensive pairing yesterday. If he is back in the lineup today, look for solid defensive positioning, clean passes in transition, and smart decisions even under pressure.

Samoskevich probably carries more hype into training camp than any Panthers prospect in recent memory. The 2021 first-round pick signed his ELC earlier this year after two standout years at the University of Michigan and spent the end of last season with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers, where he logged six assists in nine games.

During Florida's development camp over the summer, Samoskevich stood out for all the right reasons. He was the best player on the ice throughout the week and will be looking to make a similar splash during his first pro camp later this month. First, he'll have the rookie showcase to put his skills on display and turn a few heads ahead of camp with the big boys.

Florida's fourth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft grew into one of the top defensemen in NCAA during his three seasons with the University of Denver.

During his 101 games with the Pioneers, Benning racked up 31 goals and 83 points while holding an on-ice rating of plus-55. He was with the Panthers last season as a Black Ace during Florida's run to the Stanley Cup Final. He's likely to start his first pro season in the AHL, but he'll be one to keep an eye on after looking so good at the college level.

He signed his three-year ELC with Florida late last season after a standout year with Western Michigan University in which he racked up 13 goals and 49 points in 39 games with the Broncos.

He's not the biggest guy at 5-foot-10, 183 lbs. but features an accurate wrist shot and a deceptively quick release. He got his feet wet with in the pro ranks last season, signing a PTO with the Charlotte Checkers and playing seven games, including three in the playoffs. In those seven games McAllister accumulated two goals and seven points.

The Panthers and Predators rookies face off today at 5:00 pm CT. The game will be streamed live on the Nashville Predators website.