The Tampa Bay Lightning have had great success in drafted and scouting in recent years, which has given them one of the better prospect pools in the entire National Hockey League. This year will be no different. After a solid draft and what was already a solid collection of youngsters, the Tampa Bay Lightning have gotten better with the additions of Brett Howden, Libor Hajek, and Taylor Raddysh. The Lightning’s scouting and due diligence allow them to snag great prospects no matter how high they finish in the standings, or how low they are on the draft board.

Left Wing                                               Center                                  Right Wing

Adam Erne                                          Brayden Point                         Jonne Tammela

Tye McGinn                                        Brett Howden                          Joel Vermin

Yanni Gourde                                      Mitchell Stephens                   Taylor Raddysh

Dennis Yan                                         Anthony Cirelli                         Mathieu Joseph

Nikita Gusev                                       Matthew Peca

Boris Katchouk                                   Tanner Richard

Bokondji Imama                                  Christopher Paquette

Henri Ikonen                                       Ross Colton

                                                            Otto Somppi

                                                            Ryan Lohin

Right Defense                                                                       Left Defense

Slater Koekkoek                                                                     Dylan Blujus

Libor Hajek                                                                              Matthew Spencer

Dominik Masin                                                                                    Ben Thomas

Ryan Zhulsdorf

Oleg Sosunov

                                                            Goaltenders

                                                            Kristers Gudlevskis

                                                            Adam Wilcox

                                                            Connor Ingram

                                                            Kris Oldham

Risers

Ross Colton – Ross Colton had a very good development camp where he impressed many with his shot and underrated offensive zone abilities. Colton had two terrific years in the USHL and will look to continue to improve his game at the University of Vermont. Skating and vision are two areas that can use improvement.

{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Al Murray gushing about the improvements in Brayden Point's skating. Has put a lot of work in over the past two years.</p>&mdash; Bolt Prospects (@BoltProspects) <a href="https://twitter.com/BoltProspects/status/749277442234195969">July 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Brayden Point – Now is the time for Point to make the jump to the NHL roster. He has the speed and skating ability. His shot is top tier. His offensive zone instincts only impress with more and more game experience. The only thing Point needs to work on now is his physical play and aggressiveness at the professional level.

Mathieu Joseph – Mathieu Joseph had his best year in Saint John this past year. 73 points in 58 games is obviously impressive, but his skill set improved so much throughout the course of the year as well. His physical play and defensive zone coverage improved making him a more complete player. Joseph will be with the Sea Dogs again this year, but an AHL call up at the end of the season will be in place.

Fallers

Dylan Blujus – Dylan Blujus has had four years to reach the NHL level. This is the year for him. He has reached his peak as a prospect and now needs to adapt his game to fit the NHL level. With the departure of Matthew Carle, now is the best time for Blujus to earn a roster spot.

Nikita Gusev – Gusev has the skill and smarts, holding off an NHL debut is only going to hurt him and the team in the long run. Gusev is already at age 24, meaning his prime years are right around the corner. He can become a valuable asset, but still needs to develop to the NHL game.

Kris Oldham – Oldham is a long term commitment, but the addition of Connor Ingram at the draft added another goalie in his way before he can make the professional level. Going to school at Nebraska-Omaha will help his development and hopefully give him the edge above the other prospect goalies.

Top Ten

1. Slater Koekkoek
2. Brayden Point
3. Brett Howden
4. Libor Hajek
5. Mitchell Stephens
6. Nikita Gusev
7. Adam Erne
8. Taylor Raddysh
9. Kristers Gudlevskis
10. Boris Katchouk