The Tampa Bay Lightning’s organizational prowess continues to gain more widespread notice around the league. Last month ESPN analyst Corey Pronman ranked Tampa Bay’s development system as second in the league. Today NHL.com enlisted three of their staff and three NHL scouts to vote on the 60 best NHL prospects. Bolts fans will recognize two names near the top of the list. (Photos/Susan Ferlita)
Forward Jonathan Drouin led the voting and took the number one spot. After a second straight 100-point season with Halifax of the QMJHL, he heads into Lightning camp stronger and more mature. The NHL experts picture Drouin being a big part of the Lightning’s top-six for the coming season and beyond.
NHL.com’s Cory Masisak had this to say about Drouin:
“In the second half and the playoffs he was easily the best young player in the world not in the NHL. He is a magician with the puck, and could be equally potent at scoring goals and setting them up.”
Another familiar and often misspelled Lightning name came in at the number seven spot. Andrei Vasilevskiy is
one of only two goaltenders to make the top ten on the list. The big, athletic Russian goalie has been pegged as a cornerstone of Tampa Bay’s future between the pipes. In Pronman’s list at ESPN he noted that Vasilevskiy is one of the best goalie prospects of the last 20 years. He may not be making an impact on the Lightning roster next season, but a move to North America shows a willingness to commit to reach the big show.
NHL.com on Vasilevskiy:
“With Ben Bishop healthy and entering his prime, the Lightning will take the long view with the Russian goaltender. After winning the rookie of the year award in the Kontinental Hockey League last season and starring for Russia in international play, he’ll start learning the North American game this season in the American Hockey League.”
Syracuse forward Vladislav Namestnikov and defenseman Slater Koekkoek also received votes, but were not among the top 60.
The renaissance the Lightning farm system is currently enjoying is a continued source of amazement. It’s one thing for players to receive accolades in junior and minor league hockey. It’s another thing for those players to transition into successful NHL careers after that. GM Steve Yzerman and his staff have done an incredible job of stacking the Lightning’s system for the long haul. The best part may be that we’re just starting to reap the benefits of their work.
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