Panthers select Grigori Denisenko with 15th pick

The Florida Panthers chose forward Grigori Denisenko 15th overall Friday night.

Grigori Denisenko

Position: LW
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 176 lbs
Age: 17
Club: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Jr. (MHL)
Nationality: Russian

Scouts raved about Denisenko's offensive game leading up to the draft, and it's clear he possesses tantalizing scoring ability, despite being a bit undersized.

"He was the best player at the World Junior A Challenge (in December); the most electric player from any team, including the United States and Canada," NHL Central Scouting's Karl Stewart told NHL.com's Mike Morreale earlier this month. "He instantly separated himself from all his peers and teammates in that tournament."

Denisenko chipped in four points in as many games during that tournament, and he slotted in at No. 7 among European skaters in Central Scouting's final rankings after placing fourth in the midterm edition.

"I love Denisenko's creativity, he can make plays and finish plays," TSN's Craig Button told Morreale. "(He) can score in multiple ways, off the rush, in tight, off the cycle, and he's incredibly imaginative and hungry to score."

The Russian winger is expected to play for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the KHL next season.