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>— 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
- Slater Koekkoek
- Brayden Point
- Brett Howden
- Libor Hajek
- Mitchell Stephens
- Nikita Gusev
- Adam Erne
- Taylor Raddysh
- Kristers Gudlevskis
- Boris Katchouk