Serron Noel

October 2021 – Noel may have just been cut from the Panthers training camp and sent back down to the Checkers in the AHL, but his stock has shot up over the last couple of weeks. After a preseason game against Dallas during which he scored one of his trademark crash-and-bang goals while parked in front of the crease, Noel began practicing with the main group of roster players — an excellent sign that the coaching staff sees near-term potential in him. When asked to comment on how various players were performing in camp, Coach Quenneville stated that Noel had “more pace to his game and his conditioning has been way elevated.” If he continues this committed, professional approach to his off-ice preparations and keeps using his size to his advantage at the AHL level, expect him to get more looks with the Panthers before too much longer. Ben Gehrels

August 2021 – Noel is an intriguing beast of a prospect — a 6-5, 216 lbs power forward who skates well and has good hands in tight. After a slight scoring decline in his final OHL season (1.19 –> 0.98 point-per-game), the 21-year old scored four points in eight games this year for the Syracuse Crunch with limited ice time. After making a splash with a fight in his first AHL game, his first pro goal — a tip-in while planted in front — seems characteristic of what Noel can bring: a strong net-front presence who injects speed in transitions and physicality every time he steps on the ice. He will be a long wait for fantasy owners: a year or two more in the AHL and then around 400 NHL games to hit his Breakout Threshold as a big man. When he does arrive, his upside is peak Wayne Simmonds (30-30, 150+ hits). Ben Gehrels

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June 2020 – The 2020-21 season will be a crucial one for Noel’s development. This past season saw a dip in his production which might be a red flag for some. However, too much concern towards Noel’s projection as a quality NHLer is premature. He was on pace for a 25 to 30 goal season before being traded to Kitchener. Of course, a transition period needs to be factored in for players who are traded and things were no different for Noel. This upcoming season should be his first professional year, likely in the AHL, and both the Panthers and fantasy owners will get a better sense of what kind of player Noel is going to be at the pro level. If Noel can put forth a productive season in the AHL, expect him to be a legitimate contender for an NHL roster spot in 2021-22. John Gove

April 2020 – Noel really took some giant steps forward, this season, taking his game to the next level as a two-way forward. The knock against him was always his skating but he’s developed some good edges and an explosive first step. If he continues to develop the same way, fantasy owners are looking at a consistent member of their line-up. Keith Fries

December 2018 – Noel didn’t get invited to Canada’s World Junior Championship camp. Noel is having a great season in the OHL – 16 goals and 33 points in 28 games – but Canada has lots of depth up front. Noel is still eligible for the tournament next year, and it’s very likely he’s going to be pushing for a spot at that point.  Jokke Nevalainen

September 2018 – Noel was part of the first wave of cuts from the Panthers’ training camp which is not surprising considering he’s just 18 years old. He’ll return to the OHL for his third season in major junior, and he should get some consideration for the World Juniors as well. Patience is needed with this big and skilled power forward.  Jokke Nevalainen

June 2018 – Noel was drafted 34th overall by the Florida Panthers. Noel is very raw as a prospect and no one really knows where his ceiling is at this point. A long-term project but has great tools which could make him a special player. Noel has drawn some comparisons to Blake Wheeler. That might set expectations a bit high for him but it’s also good to remember that Wheeler didn’t crack 60 points until seven years after he was drafted.  Jokke Nevalainen

March 2018 – Often the knock on a 17-year-old that is 6-5 and over 200 pounds is their skating. That is not the case with Noel as he has developed his skating stride quickly and has a powerful stride that propels him with tremendous velocity, agility and grace. Noel placed first at the CHL Top Prospects Scouting Combine in On-Ice Testing for 30M Forward Skate. In combination to his skating and size, Noel also possess soft hands and good hand-eye coordination making him a dangerous offensive player. Despite his size and strength, he is not an overly aggressive or physical player as he is working at defining himself as a skill player rather than a tough guy. Noel started his draft year with a spot on Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka, and had a strong performance at the CHL Top Prospects game in his hometown of Guelph. Noel has been a steady riser all year debuting on the NHL Central Scouting Player to Watch List with a B grade to start the year, which some thought was generous at the time, to scoring an A ranking at the Mid-Season ranking and now is widely considered to be a first round pick. Peter Harling