Prospect Info: Tampa Bay Lightning 2013 Prospect Rankings - #7

[LightningStrikes]

2013 Lightning Prospect Rankings:

1. Jonathan Drouin (87.50%)
2. Andrey Vasilevskiy (88.37%)
3. Alex Killorn (44.19%)
4. Brett Connolly (40.91%)
5. Nikita Kucherov (51.53%)
6. Richard Panik (35.00%)


Note: In contrast to HF's and BP's criteria of eligibility both Brett Connolly and Riku Helenius are deemed eligible for our 2013 HFB prospect rankings as per our previous vote.

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[The Macho King]

Voted for Namestnikov again. Surprised TJ isn't getting more love, though.

 

[Steve Yzerman]

Surprised Koekkoek isn't dominating this poll. He's one of the organization's best prospects.

 

[bassassin]

Voted for Namestnikov again. Surprised TJ isn't getting more love, though.

Voted vladdy too. Imo tj's lack of love is his upside. I mean all those above him have massive potential, while tj is safer, but not on the same level.

 

[MattM92]

Voting Vladdy for the 3rd time in a row or something like that. Really high on him, think he'll be a very good 2nd line C in 5 years

 

[Caser]

Namestnikov, add Gusev.

 

[zeykshade]

I'm by no means an expert, but TJ's outside ceiling is #2 Center and that's pushing it imo. I would love to be wrong. Namestnikov projects as 2C much more easily than TJ, even with TJ's production in the AHL. TJ is a better 2 way player currently though and 3C is much more readily available to him with time on the PK as well.

 

[Stammer Time*]

I love how close these polls are. Means we have not just top prospects but a lot of depth.

 

[The Macho King]

I'm by no means an expert, but TJ's outside ceiling is #2 Center and that's pushing it imo. I would love to be wrong. Namestnikov projects as 2C much more easily than TJ, even with TJ's production in the AHL. TJ is a better 2 way player currently though and 3C is much more readily available to him with time on the PK as well.

Oh I agree, it's just a question of pro-readiness v. potential.

 

[Steve Yzerman]

How do we decide if it's a tie?

 

[Pontius Palat]

I voted Gudas. He's already been slotted by some to be on our second pair and wouldn't look too out of place there. His physicality is as beastly as his beard and he's the type of player that wins championships. He's only 23 and defensemen peak older than forwards, so I think he's a keeper. He's also a perfect organizational fit and boasts a top 3 beard leaguewide, which just adds gravy to the cake.

 

[zeykshade]

Gudas is ready to take the next step, but he's not ready for top 4 ice imo. His decision making regarding going for the big hit or putting himself between the net and the man isn't quite there. That's expected though. Typically takes 250-300 games in the NHL before Defensemen "get" it.

 

[Stammer Time*]

How do we decide if it's a tie?

Runoff?

 

[The Wyzerhood]

Runoff?

A cliff?

 

[The Macho King]

Runoff?

This.

 

[The Macho King]

Also, how awesome is it that with our #7 prospect we're choosing between two well-developing first round picks? These guys in other markets would be hyped to heaven... and we have them at #7 and #8. It feels good to have such an excellent prospect pool.

 

[LightningStrikes]

How do we decide if it's a tie?

We had a runoff in 2011 for example.

Edit: It was two actually:
#19: Matthew Peca vs. Scott Jackson
#20: Scott Jackson vs. Ondrej Palat

 

[Felonious Python]

A cliff?

I've always wanted it to come down to a game of chicken.

 

[newham89]

We had a runoff in 2011 for example.

Edit: It was two actually:
#19: Matthew Peca vs. Scott Jackson
#20: Scott Jackson vs. Ondrej Palat

Poor Scott Jackson. Can't catch a break

 

[LightningStrikes]

Speaking of Jackson: According to hockeydb.com he didn't play the whole year. I know he was let go by us after his contract expired but is he still injured?

 

[Felonious Python]

Speaking of Jackson: According to hockeydb.com he didn't play the whole year. I know he was let go by us after his contract expired but is he still injured?

That's a really good question. Elite Prospects has him categorized him as retired, but I can't find a formal announcement on that.

 

[Stammer Time*]

We had a runoff in 2011 for example.

Edit: It was two actually:
#19: Matthew Peca vs. Scott Jackson
#20: Scott Jackson vs. Ondrej Palat

I feel so bad now for voting Jackson over Palat

 

[The Wyzerhood]

I've always wanted it to come down to a game of chicken.

It'd be the easiest way to eliminate the competition. The prospect to survive wins the tiebreaker.

 

[Steve Yzerman]

Koekkoek is finally getting some love.

 

[TBLbrian]

I enjoy that we have legit competition for most of these spots