2022 Tampa Bay Lightning draft.
25. F Marco Kasper
103. F Reid Schaefer
153. F Beau Jelsma
169. LHD Alexander Pelevin
185. F Brody Crane
217. LHD Seamus Powell
220. RHD Josef Viliam Kmec
Was surprised at first to see that Tampa still had their 1st pick this year, then surprised to see they had 4 picks in the last 2 rounds and that I'd have to dig a bit more than I expected to have something 'presentable', even though I also expect to have some undrafted among the lot.
Also, well before each draft I take a look at the depth of the team I get and try to go accordingly, I try to follow various rankings but I also go by perceived needs, except in the 1st where I try to go BPA.
Kasper, thought he would potentially fit like a glove with Tampa if and when he develops, I don't see a huge offensive upside but rather a very well-rounded, middle-6 2-way PF down the road. Love that pick, plays hard and aggravates opponents with his relentless forechecking.
Schaefer is one of the few 'pure' powerforwards in the draft, of course needs to work on a couple of things but top-9 upside is there. Plays physical, creates space for his teammates, scored 32 goals in the regular season, plays on a good team but isn't a passenger.
Jelsma and Crane could become 2-way forwards down the road, Jelsma is great defensively and has some untapped offensive potential, he's the definition of a jack-of-all-trades and can lineup as a center or at wing with equal ease. Crane is burrowed on a stacked London Knights team but is doing his best to contribute, more physical than Jelsma but will have to produce next season.
Pelevin is a pure gamble, a high-risk/high-reward type of prospect, great skater, loves rushing the puck and has great vision, but is way too aggressive at times, takes way too many risks and is very undisciplined. Also didn't produce too much given his tools. If he works on the mental side of what he is, he could reap rewards.
Seamus Powell, brother of Lightning's own Eamon, is similar in style, a fleet-footed 2-way rearguard who plays well in his own zone, has a good 1st pass and can move the puck up ice, but will have to way more assertive in that department to get to the next levels.
Josef Viliam Kmec, hesitated quite a bit before choosing him, cause surprisingly enough, had 5 others who I thought were interesting at that point. But Kmec is a big right-handed, defensive D, very physical and pretty assertive in his own zone, could also have some untapped offensive potential, but not sure it's in his mindset, will still have to find a way to produce a bit cause even defensive dmen who doesn't put up points rarely pan out.
Overall, I like my draft, not the most skilled bunch out there, but mostly building blocks to solidify a team filled with star players, mostly in support roles. Kasper, Schaefer and Pelevin may be the only ones with more to give, with Pelevin being a very risky one. Time will tell ! (wouldn't mind one bit if our Habs did draft Kasper and/or Schaefer)
Thanks a lot to everybody involved, was a very fun draft, pace was seriously great, one of the fastest one I've seen in a long time.
Most of all, thanks to
@MarkovsKnee for that expertly hosted mock draft, you did really, really well !
www.eliteprospects.com
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Unreal!
