When the Florida Panthers selected Owen Tippett in the 1st round of this year’s NHL draft, they believed they were getting a player with a ton of upside.
After all, the winger scored 75 points in 60 games, 44 goals, with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads last season.
“Owen is a natural goal scorer with a bright future and he already possesses NHL-ready size and speed,” Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said back in July, via The Score.
“We’re looking forward to watching him compete for a spot on our NHL roster at training camp this fall.”
Tippett has a chance to fast track his way to the NHL and his confidence certainly make sit seem he believes he will be hitting the NHL ice sooner rather than later.
“I have the upside of Phil Kessel – the speed, the shot, the way he can make plays,” Tippett said in an interview with Luke Fox of Sportsnet.
“I also have some things I need to work on to be a 200-foot player.”
“I feel I can fight for a spot in Florida,” Tippett said.
“But at the end of the day, if I’m back in Mississauga, I’ll look at it as a chance to develop my game and get stronger and faster.”
