Florida is on the verge of giving another talented youngster his NHL debut.
On Friday, the Panthers announced that defenseman Michael Matheson -- along with forward Kyle Rau -- was recalled from AHL Portland.
Matheson, 21, got the call after posting 14 points in 43 games in his first full American League campaign. He joined the Pirates on the heels of a strong career at Boston College -- last year, he finished tied for third on the team in scoring, with 25 points, and led the Eagles in assists, with 22.
The 23rd overall pick in 2012, Matheson is just one of the numerous young talents Florida has stockpiled through the draft, along with the likes of Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, Nick Bjugstad and Aaron Ekblad.
Ekblad is a name worth mentioning in relation to Matheson. In the summer of 2014, the club got a glimpse of what its future blueline would look like as Matheson and Ekblad played together in the club’s prospect development camp.
Matheson has yet to make his NHL debut, but could on Saturday when the Panthers host the Jets.