June 2023 – Koepke failed to hold a fourth line role with Tampa Bay this season, and spent most of his time in the AHL with Syracuse as a result. His two year entry level contract with the Lightning expires this summer, and as of now he has not been signed to an extension. While he once showed promise in the NCAA as a middle-six scorer, his role if he ever makes the NHL will likely be a bottom-six, checking role. In hindsight, another year of NCAA hockey wouldn’t have hurt Koepke’s development. Wade Messier
June 2020 – After winning an NCAA championship in his freshman season at Minnesota-Duluth, Cole Koepke finished off his sophomore with a large spike in production, increasing his goal output from seven to 16 and his point total from 19 to 33. Koepke tied for the team lead in points among forwards with Noah Cates and ended the season with the team lead in goals as well. Koepke’sshot remains his strongest asset and will be the attribute that could propel him into an NHL top nine someday, however, his foot speed still remains about average, which is an obstacle he will need to overcome. Brandon Holmes
June 2018 – One of the most pure sniper’s to be drafted from the Sioux City Musketeers went on to have an almost Rookie of the year campaign in the KHL in his D+1 campaign was Eeli Tolvanen. Well, Koepke’s 28 tally’s in the USHL were only two short of Tolvanen’s total a year prior to his breakout year with Jokerit Helsinki. Koepke is a high energy player who gives a full effort each and every shift, a large reason why he was recruited by the University of Minnesota-Duluth. In the NCAA Koepke will be forced to improve his skating before he’s able to show off his high-level shot in peer-peer competition. He could turn out to be one of the highest value picks at this point in the draft for the Lightning. Brayden Olafson
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