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Florida Panthers select five players on second day of NHL draft

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 27, 2026, 10:02 PM

Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Florida Panthers select five players on second day of NHL draft

Summary

The Florida Panthers made five selections on Saturday during the second day of the 2026 NHL draft, starting with right winger Simas Ignatavičius at No. 40. Ignatavičius, an 18-year-old from Lithuania, played in Switzerland last season, while the Panthers' second pick, Ryder Cali, a forward from the OHL, was selected at No. 48. They also chose defenseman Jonas Kemps at No. 98, two forwards—Vilho Vanhatalo and Cole Zurawski—and concluded their draft with goalie Louis-Antoine Denault. General manager Bill Zito expressed enthusiasm about the new talent and the physical style they bring to the team.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Simas Ignatavičius drafted No. 40 by Panthers, played in Switzerland.
•Ryder Cali selected at No. 48, brings high energy from OHL.
•Jonas Kemps chosen as the first defenseman at No. 98.
•Vanhatalo and Zurawski also drafted, both known for physicality.
•Louis-Antoine Denault picked as a goalie, noted for size and skill.

Latest Updates

10:02 PMYahoo Sports — Simas Ignatavičius, Ryder Cali kick off Panthers picks in second day of NHL draft

What they're saying

"
After an uneventful first round of the 2026 NHL draft for the Florida Panthers, they were more than ready when Saturday rolled around, and it was time for them to make their six selections. “It was really hard this year, it was really hard to get picks, so I think that says a lot about the draft class,” general manager Bill Zito said. “We’re very very excited and looking forward to working ...
— Yahoo Sports

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