2022 Tampa Bay draft review

In a year of disappointment and frustration for the fans of the Tampa Bay Lightning, it was important for the ownership and management of the team to give those fans something to look forward to and to be excited about the future.  “We have decent depth in our prospect system but we needed to create an influx of youth and talent into all levels of our franchise” GM Hill told reporters.  

This influx that GM Hill must have been talking about was only possible with moving out a number of players that have been with the club for years.  Brayden Point, Jonathan Huberdeau, Teuvo Teravanian, Jack Campbell, TJ Brodie, Ryan McDonough and Alex Radulov, among others were all moved this past season which resulted in a number of prospects and young pro players along with the opportunity to make 16 picks in the EHE entry draft, including 6, 2nd round picks.

While it was obviously difficult for the fans to see so many star players leave the team, the draft was exciting and the hope will be that out of these 16 picks, we hit a few home runs that will be productive members to the team in the next few years.

1st round, 3rd overall - Simon Nemec - NHL drafted - 1st round, 2nd overall, 2022

The highest rated defenseman available in this year's draft, a great 2 way game, who should play in all situations when he arrives on the Tampa Bay roster in a couple years.  His size could hold him back in some situations but the speed and vision will sure to make up for any concerns about his 6 foot height.  “We see him as a future, top pairing defenseman for us long term”. Says Tampa scout.  He instantly rises to the top of the depth chart for our defensive prospects.

2nd round, 35th overall - William Dufour - NHL draft - 5th round, 152nd overall, 2021

Undrafted in the EHE entry draft last year, and originally drafted by the Islanders in the NHL, Dufour exploded for 56 goals, and 116 points in 66 games for Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL.  A goal scorer by nature, has always been able to put the puck in the net with his shot, but this year, something clicked and goalies could not stop him.  He followed up the incredible QMJHL season with a good showing for Canada at the WJC with 7 points in 7 games.  He’s big and can shoot but ultimately his skating might be what holds him back from doing what he does now, to doing it again NHL goaltenders.  

2nd round, 44th overall - Luca Del Bel Belluz - NHL draft - 2nd round, 44th overall, 2022

Picked in the exact spot that he was picked in the NHL draft, Bel Belluz is another highly skilled center to add to a group of Rossi, TOurcote, Mysak, and Ferrel that should have the Tampa roster stocked in the center position for years to come.  He can pass the puck extremely well and has hands for days, but like Dufour, needs to work on his skating to reach his potential of a top 6 center.  Him and Owen Beck will be a force down the middle on the Steelheads team this year in the OHL, where they hope to have a good run in the playoffs this year.

2nd round, 51st overall - Arber Xhekaj - NHL Undrafted - Signed by Montreal

Watch out incoming forwards, keep your head up.  Xhekaj is a beast, and he makes sure everyone knows that when they play against him.  Can skate quite well for his size and style of play and seems to have added some pucks skills to the package in the OHL this past year with Kitchener, then Hamilton.  While the offense is not expected to be his calling card in the NHL, if he can contribute a little bit on the offensive side of the puck, to go with his nasty style of play, Tampa Bay fans will fall in love as quickly as opposing players are hitting the ice after being hit by Arbor.

2nd round, 55th overall - Noah Warren - NHL drafted - 2nd round, 42nd overall, 2022

The Quebec native is massive, 6.05”, 216 lbs as an 18 year old.  Can skate very well for the size that he is, and this past year, started to add some offensive to his game with 29 points in 62 games.  With his size, you would expect him to be crushing opposing players, which is exactly what he does, but he does this without putting his team or himself in a poor position to continue defending.  A future pairing of Warren and Xhekaj would absolutely meet Brian Burke’s need for truculence!

2nd round, 56th overall - Seamus Casey - NHL draft - 2nd round, 46th overall, 2022

Basically the complete opposite of the last two picks in Warren and Xhekaj, a small, fast and skilled defenseman that will always be judged on his size and how that potentially will hinder his chances of being a top 4 defenseman in the NHL.  But the skill and speed is undeniable, which is why it is worth taking a shot on such a defensemen.  Moving to MIchigan to play for the Wolverines, Casey will be given the opportunity to bulk up and spend a lot of time in the gym to put himself in better position to compete with the bigger bodies in the NCAA and in Pro eventually.  

2nd round, 61st overall - Matyas Sapovaliv - NHL draft - 2nd round, 48th overall, 2022

The Czech native had a successful first year in North America for the Saginaw Spirit.  Scoring 52 points in 68 games, the big center showed that his game can translate to the smaller ice which is always a concern when players move to NA to play.  Matyas has a big frame to compete with bigger players but will need to improve his speed and balance and his ability to react and make plays at a fasty pace.  All things that can be improved with the right development team.  

3rd round, 77st overall, Matthew Poitras - NHL draft - 2nd round, 54th overall, 2022

A slight center who played on a young Guelph Storm in the OHL, put up reasonable numbers with 50 points in 68 games.  Weighing only 170 lbs, he clearly will need to put on some weight in order to compete against the big boys in the pro’s when he gets there.  Shows good overall offensive skills, passing is more of his specialty.  With the number of players Tampa has selected lately, they can afford to give him the time needed to develop.

3rd round, 86th overall, Jordan Dumais - NHL draft - 3rd round, 96th overall, 2022

Skating could be the ultimate hold back for Jordan who shows elite skills with his hands but needs to pick up his pace of play for his skills to translate to the next level.  Loads of potential but needs time to develop a few areas of his game before he is ready.  109 points in only 68 games is impressive but it won’t be as easy for him when he moves on from the QMJHL.

3rd round, 87th overall, Miko Matikka - 3rd round, 67th overall, 2022

3rd round, 91st overall, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki - 3rd round, 73rd overall, 2022

4th round, 109th overall, Ben Mcdonald - 3rd round, 91st overall, 2022

4th round, 122nd overall, Quinn Finley - 3rd round, 78th overall, 2022

4th round, 123rd overall, Jakub Dobes - 5th round, 136th overall, 2020

5th round, 128th overall, Miguel Tourigney - 7th round, 216th overall, 2022

5th round, 129th overall, Blake Biondi - 4th round, 109th overall, 2020

These last 7 picks are made up of some players that had dropped in the EHE draft as well as some players that had been drafted into the NHL in 2020.  Dobes and Biondi were both drafted by Montreal in 2020.  Dobes had a fantastic year at Ohio State in the NCAA and will look to repeat his performance this year before potentially turning pro.  Biondi had a good year at the University of Minnesota-Duluth scoring 28 points in 42 games.  Biondi showed his scoring ability by jumping up to 17 goals on the year, up from 2 the previous year.

This draft has provided much needed depth and star potential to the prospect pool of the Tampa Bay Lighting.  Only time will tell now if the choices made were the right ones!