Panthers at No. 9 look to add a two-way, right-shot defenseman in Daxon Rudolph

The Florida Panthers’ 2026 draft planning continues to take shape around their first-round slot, with Yahoo Sports’ draft-target series zeroing in on Daxon Rudolph as a fit at pick No. 9. In the profile, Rudolph is described as a 6-foot-3, right-handed defenseman with two-way traits, an identity that tends to be especially valuable for NHL teams searching for help that extends beyond special teams and highlight sequences.

Rudolph’s appeal, as framed by the Panthers-target profile, is the balance implied by the “two-way” label. For an NHL organization, that typically points to a player who can defend competently in transition, keep plays from dissolving in the defensive zone, and still support the team’s ability to move the puck into offense. The physical profile listed in the write-up, a 6-foot-3 frame combined with a right shot, also suggests the kind of size-and-angle mix teams look for when trying to diversify their defensive looks.

Florida’s selection range at No. 9 places it among the group of teams that can still reach a player they believe has a relatively direct path to impact. Drafting at that stage is rarely about gambling on raw upside alone. The Panthers can still swing for potential, but profiles tied to a specific style of play, like the two-way descriptor attached to Rudolph, generally reflect a front office preference for prospects they expect to learn NHL systems quickly and contribute in multiple situations.

For the Panthers, defensemen remain a long-term core-building block because the NHL game has continued to reward players who can separate themselves with decision-making, gap control, and reliable zone exits. A two-way defenseman archetype is designed to help teams avoid the “one-dimensional” pitfalls that can appear when a prospect is too dependent on one phase of play. Rudolph’s profile, at least as characterized in the draft-target feature, sits squarely in that category.

Rudolph also fits into the broader way teams evaluate right-handed defensemen. Coaches often build pairings with shot direction in mind because it affects how the puck moves from the defensive side of the ice, how efficient breakout angles can be, and how easily a player can settle a pass for a first option rather than a second. A right-shot defenseman who is also large enough to battle for space can be attractive to teams trying to standardize their breakouts and reduce defensive-zone scrambling.

Even with the promise implied by the profile, it is important to treat “draft targets” as perspective rather than confirmation of a selection plan. Prospect evaluations at the NHL draft are influenced by player workouts, cross-checking among scouts, and how the board develops on draft day. With limited, publicly available detail here beyond height, handedness, and the two-way framing, readers should expect further reporting closer to the draft to clarify where Rudolph fits relative to other options in that same range and what specific skill set teams believe will translate most cleanly to the Panthers’ system.