NUMBER 1
Brett Connolly, RW - Prince George Cougars (WHL): 59GP, 46G, 27A, 73P
Selected Round 1, #6th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft
NUMBER 2
Carter Ashton, RW - Tri-City Americans (WHL): 33GP, 17G, 27A, 44P
Selected Round 1, #29th overall in the 2009 NHL draft
NUMBER 3
Richard Panik, RW - Belleville Bulls / Guelph Storm (OHL): 51GP, 27G, 29A, 56P
Selected Round 2, #52nd overall in the 2009 NHL draft
NUMBER 4
Vladislav Namestnikov, C - London Knights (OHL): 68GP, 30G, 38A, 68P
Selected Round 1, #27th overall in the 2011 NHL draft
NUMBER 5
Dustin Tokarski, G - Norfolk Admirals (AHL): 46GP, 2.65GAA, 0.901SV%
Selected Round 5, #122nd overall in the 2008 NHL Draft
NUMBER 6
Nikita Kucherov, RW - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL): 41GP, 27G, 31A, 58P / CSKA Moskva (KHL): 9GP, 0G, 2A, 2P
Selected Round 2, #58th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft
NUMBER 7
Radko Gudas, D - Norfolk Admirals (AHL): 76GP, 4G, 13A, 17P
Selected Round 3, #66th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft
NUMBER 8
Alex Killorn, C - Harvard University (ECAC): 34GP, 15G, 14A, 29P
Selected Round 3, #77th overall in the 2007 NHL Draft
NUMBER 9
James Wright, LW - Norfolk Admirals (AHL): 80GP, 16G, 31A, 47P
Selected Round 4, #117th overall in the 2008 NHL Draft
NUMBER 10
Mattias Ritola, LW - Tampa Bay (NHL): 31GP, 4G, 4A, 8P / Norfolk (AHL): 17GP, 9G, 18A, 27P
Selected Round 4, #103rd overall in the 2005 NHL Draft
NUMBER 11
Mark Barberio, D - Norfolk Admirals (AHL): 68GP, 9G, 22A, 31P
Selected Round 6, #152nd overall in the 2008 NHL Draft
NUMBER 12
Tyler Johnson, C - Spokane Chiefs (WHL): 71GP, 53G, 62A, 115P
Undrafted
Dang. Our top-6 is going to be absolutely stacked in a few years. Well, all of our offense, really. Connolly, Ashton, Panik, Namestnikov, Kucherov, Killorn, and Wright could all turn in to top-6 players. Not to mention we already have this Stamkos guy, who I've heard is a pretty good player.
Panik - Stamkos - Connolly
Ashton - Lecavalier - Kucherov
Wright - Namestnikov - Killorn
? - Johnson - Downie
(I know that not everybody is in their natural position)
Dang. Our top-6 is going to be absolutely stacked in a few years. Well, all of our offense, really. Connolly, Ashton, Panik, Namestnikov, Kucherov, Killorn, and Wright could all turn in to top-6 players. Not to mention we already have this Stamkos guy, who I've heard is a pretty good player.
Panik - Stamkos - Connolly
Ashton - Lecavalier - Kucherov
Wright - Namestnikov - Killorn
? - Johnson - Downie
(I know that not everybody is in their natural position)
That is some offensive firepower.
Some of those guys are not going to meet the expectations that we're placing on them. It's inevitable.
I wouldn't put any stock into roster projections representing any time beyond this season.
Some of those guys are not going to meet the expectations that we're placing on them. It's inevitable.
I wouldn't put any stock into roster projections representing any time beyond this season.
True. I meant it as more of what COULD happen. I guess I was feeling extra optimistic for a moment there. And the roster projection wasn't so much of a prediction of lines for 5 or so years down the road but just what could potentially happen. Realistically, a guy like Downie might not be on the Lightning anymore, Johnson may never make the NHL, Killorn never becomes more than a 3rd liner, Connolly's injuries hold him to a 50-60 point second liner, Panik is a decent 2nd liner, Ashton is a 3rd liner, Kucherov busts, Namestnikov turns into a 3rd line guy, etc. Even those projections may be too high. But its so much more fun to think of the scenario I presented earlier, even if it is unlikely.
True. I meant it as more of what COULD happen. I guess I was feeling extra optimistic for a moment there. And the roster projection wasn't so much of a prediction of lines for 5 or so years down the road but just what could potentially happen. Realistically, a guy like Downie might not be on the Lightning anymore, Johnson may never make the NHL, Killorn never becomes more than a 3rd liner, Connolly's injuries hold him to a 50-60 point second liner, Panik is a decent 2nd liner, Ashton is a 3rd liner, Kucherov busts, Namestnikov turns into a 3rd line guy, etc. Even those projections may be too high. But its so much more fun to think of the scenario I presented earlier, even if it is unlikely.
Considering how forward rich the Lightning are, having so many high upside forward prospects is the cliche embarassment of riches. I wish I was half as optimistic about present and future D.
Wishart and Beukeboom bringing in Roloson and Brewer were both worth the returns (and then some). But the trades caused a little gap between our current NHL D and the next nearest prospects.
Walking from Jones, Lundin, Smaby, and Mihalik while picking up Gilroy, Gervais, and re-signing Bergeron is lateral at best and short term at worst. Again, it eroded the top end of our younger developing defensemen already in the NHL for equally as suspect replacements.
Yes, Gudas and Barbeiro hold some promise. Yes, Hedman, Brewer, and Ohlund are likely half our top 6 for the next 5 years. But the gap between and beyond those groups is scary...the void.
I won't be surprised to see some of our forward depth turn into defensive acquisitions at some point in the near future.
Considering how forward rich the Lightning are, having so many high upside forward prospects is the cliche embarassment of riches. I wish I was half as optimistic about present and future D.
Wishart and Beukeboom bringing in Roloson and Brewer were both worth the returns (and then some). But the trades caused a little gap between our current NHL D and the next nearest prospects.
Walking from Jones, Lundin, Smaby, and Mihalik while picking up Gilroy, Gervais, and re-signing Bergeron is lateral at best and short term at worst. Again, it eroded the top end of our younger developing defensemen already in the NHL for equally as suspect replacements.
Yes, Gudas and Barbeiro hold some promise. Yes, Hedman, Brewer, and Ohlund are likely half our top 6 for the next 5 years. But the gap between and beyond those groups is scary...the void.
I won't be surprised to see some of our forward depth turn into defensive acquisitions at some point in the near future.
Hopefully Yzerman does some Bonus draft picks come training camp. Landry doesn't seem to bad either......
I gave the nod to Landry here due to his familiarity with Boucher's system and experience in Hamilton. Mullin would be a close call too. I'm not sold on Janosik here.
