BRHL2

Lightning's Prospect Depth Charts

With another 6 picks selected yesterday, here is an updated depth chart for the Tampa Bay Lightning organization. Leading the way is the back end, with 4 blue chip defensemen prospects and another 2 with high expectations. At forward, the team was only able to land 1 forward (Bourgault) in the first round, but followed it up with 3 more forward prospects (Pinelli, Martino, Meyers). With one pick left in the draft, the Bolts could be looking at another forward or goaltender.

	Goaltenders

Devon Levi	NHL Draft: 212th overall	BRHL Draft: 67th overall	Team Rank: 5th

Devon Levi has made quite a name for himself since being drafted 212th overall by the Florida Panthers. Everywhere Levi has went, he has performed at a high level. It was too bad we didn’t get to see him lace up the skates for Canada at the Olympics. If Levi was a bit bigger, he would be in the conversation for top 5 goaltenders not in the NHL. At the moment he probably hangs somewhere in the top 10.

Calle Clang	NHL Draft: 77th overall	BRHL Draft: 42nd overall	Team Rank: 11th

Clang has been surpassed by Levi in the team goalie rankings, despite being drafted higher then him in both the NHL and BRHL drafts. It was a pretty solid showing for Clang in the SHL this season despite the really slow start. He is 1 year older then Wallstedt, but put up some similar numbers. Wallstedt also beat him out as the starting goaltender in the World Juniors this year. The downside to Clang is he is stuck behind Dostal in Anaheim now that he was traded from the Penguins in the Rakell deal.

Dylan Garand	NHL Draft: 103rd overall	BRHL Draft: 89th overall	Team Rank: 15th

The third goalie taken in the 2021 BRHL draft, Garand also has ties to a top goalie prospect in this years draft. Garand beat out Cossa for time between the pipes during the cancelled WJC tournament this season. It will be interesting to see who gets the start in two months time as both Cossa and Garand will duke it out for the starters position again. Garand has an open path to backup Igor Shesterkin in the near future on the Rangers.


	Defensemen

Owen Power	NHL Draft: 1st overall	BRHL Draft: 2nd overall	Team Rank: 1st

Fresh off the 2nd overall pick, Owen Power slots in as the Lightning's top prospect. It was true that the original plan was Matty Beniers, until Joe came in and gave me a very solid offer. Power is a future #1D and will be a big part of the Sabres rebuild on the backend with Rasmus Dahlin. In his short 9 game stint in the NHL, there was a lot of good moments on offense and defense. Some work needs to be done but there is no question he becomes a top pairing NHL D.

Jake Sanderson	NHL Draft: 5th overall	BRHL Draft: 11th overall	Team Rank: 2nd

The former Lightning top prospect takes a back seat to Owen Power, but there is no doubt Sanderson is special in his own right. Expected to make the Senators this season, expect Sanderson to be their #2 defensemen by seasons end. He grades out as a top pairing D who can play PP and PK just like Power.

Justin Barron	NHL Draft: 25th overall	BRHL Draft: 25th overall	Team Rank: 6th

A recent trade to the Montreal Canadiens has officially kick started Barron's NHL journey. Barron looked really good in his short audition with the Habs before going down with an injury. It was obvious his offensive game is ahead of his defensive game right now. With some work defensively Barron could be another PP/PK guy in the future. It will be interesting to see where Barron starts next season with Guhle also expected to fight for a spot.

Scott Morrow	NHL Draft: 40th overall	BRHL Draft: 27th overall	Team Rank: 7th

Coming right behind Barron in the team rankings is newly drafted Scott Morrow. The Lightning boast 4 1st round quality defensemen to go along with young NHL regulars in Andrew Peeke and Timothy Liljegren. While Morrow most likely continues his NCAA journey next season, we could see him on the Canes blue line in 2023-2024 for a brief stint while he becomes an NHL regular in 2024-2025 once the Canes lose Skjei and Pesce on the back end.

Brock Faber	NHL Draft: 45th overall	BRHL Draft: 43rd overall	Team Rank: 9th

I was thrilled to land Faber at the draft last season and still am excited to see what he becomes. He got invited to the Olympic Games this year for team USA and managed an assist in his 4 games there. The Univ. of Minnesota has a knack for putting good college defensemen out there so I believe we may see Faber on the NHL blue line of the Kings very soon. Tops out as a 2nd pairing defensemen.

Emil Andrae	NHL Draft: 54th overall	BRHL Draft: 83rd overall	Team Rank: 14th

Andrae was one of my favorite picks from last seasons draft, where I felt like I landed a lot of potential steals in Dufour, Desnoyers and Berard. Going 83rd overall was a surprise to me as I had him much higher on my list. I felt like his draft stock may have taken a bit of a hit this year as he didn't suit up for any SHL games. Next season will be a big one for him as he should be a full time roster player for HV71. Tops out as a third pairing D with some PP upside.


	Wingers

Nicholas Robertson	NHL Draft: 53rd overall	BRHL Draft: 23rd overall	Team Rank: 3rd

Robertson got in 10 games with the Leafs last season, posting only 1 goal. Injuries have plagued his development up to this point, but his AHL production has been great with 16 goals in 28 games. I believe next season he will stick with the Leafs full time and we will really get to see what kind of potential he has. I expect a middle 6 scoring winger with PP time.

Xavier Bourgault	NHL Draft: 22nd overall	BRHL Draft: 18th overall	Team Rank: 4th

A recent draft pick, Bourgault will most likely be the most promising forward on this list. The Oilers have done well in the draft the last few seasons despite skipping over Wallstedt. Bourgault is a great complimentary piece who needs to play with skilled players to truly show his offensive capabilities. Where better then Edmonton to showcase this. I'd be surprised if he made the Oilers out of camp, his most likely destination next season is the AHL as he will be eligible to play there. No reason to go back to the Q to dominate again.

Noel Gunler	NHL Draft: 41st overall	BRHL Draft: 32nd overall	Team Rank: 8th

Gunler got a bigger role in the SHL this season and his production increased because of it. He finished 4th on his team in scoring and 2nd in goals. Overall Brynas was the 2nd worst offensive team in the league, so his numbers were pretty solid considering. His transition to the AHL was pretty decent as well with 5 points in 11 games. A natural sniper, Gunler has loads of potential, but needs to work on his skating if has going to have a long career.

William Dufour	NHL Draft: 152nd overall	BRHL Draft: 139th overall	Team Rank: 12th

My favorite draft pick from last seasons draft. Originally when I made the pick in the 5th round, I was liking the potential of another fellow Q player in Elliott Desnoyers a bit better. Desnoyers was taken the round before Dufour was. Since then, I believe Dufour has flipped the script a bit and now becomes my favorite late round pick from the draft. He had a monster season in the Q with 116 points in 66 games and finished 2nd overall behind a younger Joshua Roy. Dufours 56 goals also beat out first rounder Zachary Bolduc. With the Islanders NHL prospect system in shambles, expect Dufour to get a short in the near future.

Brandon Coe	NHL Draft: 98th overall	BRHL Draft: 91st overall	Team Rank: 13th

Another draft riser from last season. Coe has looked really good for the Battalion this season finishing with 101 points in 62 games. Coe finished 5th in league scoring behind Wyatt Johnston, Rory Kerins, Lucas Edmonds and Luke Evangelista. Expect Coe to get a full time spot in the AHL next season for the Barracuda, as well as some NHL games every so often. I like Coe's future as a great 3rd line player with the ability to move up to the 2nd on short stretches.

Ayrton Martino	NHL Draft: 73rd overall	BRHL Draft: 61st overall	Team Rank: 16th

There are no questions about Martino's offensive game. He's a great playmaker first and foremost with great speed and hockey IQ. He has a high energy motor and can play up and down the lineup. It's too early to say what he can become, but I expect him to make big strides in the NCAA next season.

Simon Holmstrom	NHL Draft: 23rd overall	BRHL Draft: 55th overall	Team Rank: 18th

One of the fallers in the BRHL's 2020 draft. Holmstrom's draft stock has taken a hit the last few seasons. It wasn't until his performance in the AHL last season that I decided to pay more attention to him. At one point I figured I'd write him off as I had other prospects I liked better, but he took a big step this season finishing 3rd on his team in scoring while being called upon in all situations. Expectations have been tempered since draft day, but Holmstrom plays a good enough two way game that it can land him as a good bottom 6 winger in the NHL as soon as next season.

Brett Berard	NHL Draft: 134th overall	BRHL Draft: 90th overall	Team Rank: 19th

Berard has been a nice story this season for Providence College. He ended up leading the team in scoring, making the WJC team and playing a big role in the shortened campaign. I expect to see him back on the team in August. Despite his size, he is a tough to play against winger with some feistiness. He should be back in the NCAA next season one last time before he gets a contract with the Rangers. Middle 6 upside is what I expect.

Yegor Sokolov	NHL Draft: 61st overall	BRHL Draft: 56th overall	Team Rank: 20th

Sokolov got his first taste of the NHL this season playing in 8 games for the Ottawa Senators. Despite not putting up any points, he showed the ability to play in a nice checking role for the team. At 6ft4, Sokolov has an NHL future, but it will most likely be in a bottom 6 role. Needs to work on his play off the puck, but the offensive skills are there for a big man.

Elliot Desnoyers	NHL Draft: 135th overall	BRHL Draft: 110th overall	Team Rank: 23rd

Rounding out the top 10 wingers is another solid late pick from the last draft. Desnoyers had another strong campaign in the Q and made the WJC team because of it. His start to the season was better then his finish, but he still put up 88 points in 61 games. His game isn't even about offense though as Desnoyers excels in the defensive aspect of the game, which is why he was selected to Team Canada. He should become a solid 3rd line winger for the Philadelphia Flyers soon. Expect to see him playing on the Phantoms next season as he makes his push for the NHL.


	Centermen

Francesco Pinelli	NHL Draft: 42nd overall	BRHL Draft: 33rd overall	Team Rank: 10th

Pinelli is your prototypical two way centermen, in the mold of a Philip Danualt. I believe the Kings saw a potential 2nd line centermen when they drafted him and signed Danault in the offseason. Pinelli signed an ELC with the Kings this month and it'll be interesting to see where he ends up next season. I don't believe he is eligible for the AHL, and the Kings are deep at C right now. It could be another season in the OHL for Pinelli before he gets a real taste of NHL action.

Adam Beckman	NHL Draft: 75th overall	BRHL Draft: 38th overall	Team Rank: 17th

I really pushed for Beckman in the 2020 BRHL draft, drafting him quite early. I liked what I saw in his game with the Spokane Chiefs when he put up 48 goals in 63 games. Since then, he's progressed quite slowly, but did get a shot at NHL action with Minnesota, posting 1 assist in 3 games. While Beckman is listed as a C here, his shot in the NHL may have to come on the wing. While I'm not as excited as I once was, I do believe he still has a shot as a middle 6 winger with 20 goal potential. I am just really hoping it comes at the C position.

Ben Meyers	NHL Draft: never	BRHL Draft: 65th overall	Team Rank: 22nd

A free agent signing from the Colorado Avalanche this season, Meyers is a defensively responsible player who has had quite the season. He got some games at the Olympics this year where he looked really good. He got some action in the NHL as well suiting up for 5 games with the Colorado Avalanche. He should be a lock to play a 4th line role with the Avalanche next season.

Jean-Luc Foudy	NHL Draft: 75th overall	BRHL Draft: 58th overall	Team Rank: 25th

At only 20 years old, Foudy has played in 99 AHL games already. This past season in the AHL was a step back from when he was a 19 year old, but he finished strong in the playoffs. Expect Foudy to be back with the Colorado Eagles for another full season before the Avalanche potentially look at him as a bottom 6 centermen in the future.