The Panthers checked a lot of boxes at the 2021 NHL Draft.
After landing forward Mackie Samoskevich with the 24th overall pick in Round 1, they used their five selections on Day 2 to add defensemen Evan Nause (2nd round, 56th overall), Vladislav Lukashevich (4th round, 120th overall) and Braden Haché (7th round, 210th overall), forward Jakub Kos (6th round, 184th overall) and goalie Kirill Gerasimyuk (5th round, 152nd overall).
2021 Draft Check-In: Samoskevich tops Florida's intriguing class
Overall, Florida's class consisted of two forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender.
"I just tell them to please enjoy the day and thank their families," Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said of the picks after the draft concluded. "We all know the commitment that your parents, your brothers and sisters, the people that love you and are around you go through to get to this point. No one can do it alone. Welcome! Be excited! We're all here to support you now."
Continue reading below to see the progress those picks made during the 2021-22 season.
Mackie Samoskevich (1st round, 24th overall)
Position: RW/C
2021-22 Team: Michigan (NCAA)
Even on a team loaded with talent at Michigan, Samoskevich stood out this past season.
Fifth in scoring among Wolverines forwards, the 19-year-old registered 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) in 40 games during his freshman campaign, including a three-game span from Jan. 28 through Feb. 11 in which he complied seven points (two goals, five assists) in just three games.
Thanks in part to Samoskevich's dynamic play up front, Michigan advanced all the way to the 2022 NCAA Championship Game before being taken down by Denver. Earning honors along the way, he was named to the B1G All-Freshman Team and the B1G All-Tournament Team.
Donning the Red, White and Blue at the 2022 World Junior Championship, Samoskevich scored one goal in USA's lone game before the tournament was suddenly cancelled due to COVID-19.
Samoskevich is expected to return to Michigan for his sophomore season in 2022-23.
Evan Nause (2nd round, 56th overall)
Position: D
2021-22 Team: Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
The points came easily for Nause during his second season in the junior ranks.
Leading Quebec's defensemen in scoring, the 19-year-old racked up a career-high 46 points (eight goals, 38 assists) in 59 games this past season. During the QMJHL playoffs, the smooth-skating blueliner also had three assists in 12 games to help the Remparts reach the semifinals.
After amassing 68 points (12 goals, 56 assists) in 91 games over his first two campaigns with Quebec, Nause was one of 44 players invited to take part in Hockey Canada's evaluation camp, which will run from July 23-27 in Calgary, for the 2022 and 2023 World Junior Championships.
Both at home and internationally, look for Nause's junior stock to continue rising in 2022-23.
Vladislav Lukashevich (4th round, 120th overall)
Position: D
2021-22 Team: Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
A great puck-mover, Lukashevich has been showing plenty of promise in Russia's MHL.
After registering 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) in 36 games with Yaroslavl in 2020-21, the 19-year-old defenseman dished out five assists while appearing in 26 games this past season.
Working his way back from an injury suffered late last season, Lukashevich really started to rediscover his game and get more comfortable late in 2021-22. Over his final eight games with Loko, he notched four helpers while averaging more than 15 minutes of ice time per contest.
Feeling like his old self again, look for the budding blueliner to take another step in 2022-23.
Kirill Gerasimyuk (5th round, 152nd overall)
Position: G
2021-22 Team: SKA-1946 St. Petersburg
Gerasimyuk wasn't even ranked by NHL Central Scouting in 2021.
A year later, it's safe to say that was a huge oversight on their part.
Making 18 appearances with SKA-1946 in Russia's MHL, the 18-year-old goaltender posted a 16-0-1 record behind a 1.79 goals-against average, .932 save percentage and three shutouts.
Sharing the net for much of the season with 2022 draft-eligible goaltender Sergei Ivanov, Gerasimyuk served primarily as a backup for St. Petersburg during their run to the MHL Championship, posting a 1-0-1 record with a .902 save percentage in three playoff games.
Not turning 19 until August, Gerasimyuk has already shown poise beyond his years.
Jakub Kos (6th round, 184th overall)
Position: LW/C
2021-22 Team: Ilves (Liiga) / Koovee (Mestis)
Kos split his time between Finland's top-two leagues this past season.
In 17 games with Ilves in Liiga, the 19-year-old produced three points (one goal, two assists). But after shifting down to second-tier Mestis, his game really took off. In 20 games with Koovee, he produced 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) and was able to assert himself all over the ice.
In the postseason relegation tournament, Kos also played a huge role in making sure that Koovee would avoid being sent to Finland's third-tier league, Suomi-sarja. In nine games during the double round-robin tournament, he scored three goals while also dishing out seven assists.
On the international stage, he played two games with Czechia - primarily working on the team's fourth line -- at the 2022 World Junior Championship before it was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Looking ahead to 2022-23, Kos will likely try to carve out a larger role in Liiga with Ilves.
Braden Haché (7th round, 210th overall)
Position: D
2021-22 Team: Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
After missing the entire 2020-21 season after the OHL shut down due to COVID-19, Haché returned to the ice this past season with Kingston. In 55 games, he recorded five points (two goals, three assists) and a +4 rating while ranking third on the team in penalty minutes (65).
In 11 games during the OHL playoffs, he logged one goal and two assists.
Standing 6-foot-4 and 201 pounds despite only turning 19 in May, Haché finished out this past season in the AHL after signing an ATO with Charlotte. Getting to watch the pro game up close from the sidelines during that stint, look for him to apply those lessons in the OHL in 2022-23.
