Tampa Bay Lightning: Top Ten Lightning Prospects

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Mar 26, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on against the Nashville Predators during the third period at Amalie Arena. The Predators won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Lightning organization has one of the deepest pools of young talented prospects in the NHL. Which players will crack our top ten?

We have seen it time and time again with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization. Players are drafted, developed in-house, and brought up through the ranks to one day become a solid NHL player for the team. Whether it be past names such as Ondrej Palat, Cedric Paquette, and Tyler Johnson or names from todays crop, each and every one of these players took the proper steps to advance their development and prepare themselves for the next level.

The Lightning have the seventh best pool of prospects according to hockeysfuture.com.

There is no doubt the team lost many of its top prospects such as Johnson, Palat, and Jonathan Drouin to graduation, but still ranking seventh on the list behind team’s like the Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres who are in the process of rebuilding for the future is pretty impressive.

The next wave of Tampa Bay Lightning prospects has a mixture of both skillful wingers and young puck moving defenseman that will look to be apart of the team’s group of blue liners for many years to come.

From first round selections with high expectations to late round gems crafted into top-notch talent, here are your top ten prospects in the Lightning system.

Next: Number Ten: Jonathan Marchessault

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Apr 11, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Jonathan Marchessault (42) is congratulated after he scored against the Boston Bruins during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Coming in at number ten in our top ten Tampa Bay Lightning prospects list is dynamic scoring forward Jonathan Marchessault.

Jonathan Marchessault continues to follow a trend that the Tampa Bay Lightning organization has set when it comes to the success of developing undersized players.

Standing at only 5’9 163 lbs, Marchessault is far from the prototypical NHL size most team’s are looking for. He has proven time and time again that he will not let his size stop him from becoming a full-time NHL player.

Jonathan Marchessault is a 24-year-old forward from Cap-Roughe, QC, Canada. His main position throughout his career has been center, but over the years he has adapted to playing the wing since joining the Lightning organization.

Despite having a fantastic junior career, Marchessault went undrafted. He later signed his first professional contract with the New York Rangers AHL affiliate, the Connecticut Whale, in June of 2011. He led the team with 64 points in 76 games.

Marchessault left the Rangers organization when he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets before the 2012-13 season. He would start with the team’s AHL affiliate in Springfield helping the Falcons reach the Calder Cup playoffs.

Marchessault also got his first taste of NHL action that season as he was called up to the NHL roster and played two games with the Blue Jackets during the season.

On March 5th, 2014, Columbus sent Marchessault along with forward Dalton Smith to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Dana Tyrell and defenseman Matt Taormina. Marchessault would continue to provide offense for the team’s AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch after he was traded putting up 15 points in 21 games.

The next season, Marchessault would help lead an offensively challenged Crunch team to the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs before being swept by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Marchessault got his first look in a Lightning uniform late in the 2014-15 season when forward Jonathan Drouin went down with an illness. He helped the team defeat the Boston Bruins in the final game of the regular season by scoring his first National Hockey League goal when he rocketed a shot past Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask.

He would later play for the Lightning in the team’s second round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Montreal Canadians when forward Ryan Callahan was sidelined with an emergency appendectomy.

As for this upcoming season, with Marchessault resigned to a one-year, two-way contract, the team must sneak the 24-year-old through waivers in order for him to play for the Crunch again next season. With the team’s forward depth as strong as it is, there will probably not be any room for Marchessault on the NHL roster when the team breaks training camp.

If the team can sneak Marchessault through waivers, he will once again be a great offensive weapon for the Syracuse Crunch and continue to develop his overall game so he may one day become a full-time NHL player.

Next: Number Nine: Matthew Spencer

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Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; General view of team executives on the arena floor in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Coming in at number nine in our rankings is highly skilled puck moving defenseman Matthew Spencer.

When the Tampa Bay Lightning selected defenseman Matthew Spencer with the 44th overall selection in the 2015 NHL draft I got very excited. The 6’2 188 lb defenseman is a two-way defenseman that logs heavy minutes on the ice. His team has also been a recent place where Tampa Bay Lightning prospects have been coming in waves including Dominik Masin, Jonne Tammela, and Slater Koekkoek.

Scouts had Spencer ranked from as high as the 20th overall pick in the draft to the top of the third round. Why such a big difference? Well, Spencer is seen differently when it comes to how scouts feel like he will develop. Will he be just a stay at home puck moving defenseman that can take the body against the wall or will he develop an offensive side to his game?

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Luckily for the Lightning, he fell to them in the middle of the first round. An organization that is in need of right-handed defenseman that can be a shut down defender and also contribute offensively. As of now, Anthony DeAngelo is the only right-handed defender in the team’s prospect pool that has this skill set. Along with his ability to defend and log a ton of minutes on the ice, he is highly regarded for his leadership both on and off the ice.

Here are some of the things I noticed in Spencer’s game when I watched him play.

“A very strong defensive defenseman, Spencer has the ability to quickly read the play in front of him before making a strong outlet pass to his forwards. He rarely makes mistakes in his own end and can take the body along the boards. He also has the ability to take the puck into the offensive zone himself if the opportunity presents itself. If he continues to develop properly, he could one day see himself as a top-4 defenseman in the NHL.”

Pretty nice praise for the Guelph, Ontario native. A right-handed defeseman who is responsible in his own end is a good get in the second round. However, there is a chance that he could develop an offensive side to his game as well.

He provides a heavy shot and excellent vision from the point, and acts as the team’s quarterback in the offensive zone and directs most of the offense on the power play.

That potential, along with his ability to defend, is the reason why he is our ninth ranked prospect in the organization.

Next: Number Eight: Matthew Peca

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May 26, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; General view of Amalie Arena during game six of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Our eighth ranked prospect Matthew Peca is entering his first full season as a pro, and will be a key contributor for the Syracuse Crunch next season.

Selected 201st overall by the Lightning in the 2001 NHL Draft, Matthew Peca is one intriguing prospect. A diminutive, undersized forward (5’8 155 lbs), Peca constantly flies around the rink and is effective on both ends of the ice.

Peca played college hockey for the Quinnipiac Bobcats and was a key player for the team over his four years in school. Always ranked as one of the team’s top scorers, Peca never scored less than 30 points in his college career. He was a point per game player in two of his four years in Quinnipiac, and was well-respected by his teammates serving as the team’s co-captain in his senior season.

While in college and his first taste of a pro with the Syracuse Crunch, here is what I saw in Peca.

“Peca’s speed and skill on the top line could make cause problems for opposing defenders. Equipped with an exceptional wrist shot, he has the ability to put the puck in the net at the NHL level. His quick hands and exceptional skating ability make him an excellent playmaker. Has the ability to play both on the penalty kill and power play.

Not bad for a smaller player who was selected with one of the last picks in the draft. Now, there are some weaknesses in Peca’s game and it may have been the reason why he fell so far in the draft.

At every level, Peca has had trouble with being moved off the puck. He is exceptional in open ice, but can get in trouble when along the boards. Defenders can overwhelm the smaller Peca and create turnovers.

Peca undoubtedly plays with his heart on his sleeve every night and is willing to go into those high traffic areas that you usually don’t see a player of his size attempt to do. He has the ability to forecheck and use his speed to avoid dangerous situations.

His skill set will allow him to be a point producing machine at the AHL level and be a fantastic depth forward to the Lightning at the NHL level. A steal in the seventh round if he can produce at the NHL level, and deserving of the eighth spot in our Top 10.

Next: Number Seven: Nikita Gusev

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Jun 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; A general view before game five of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Dynamic Russian scoring winger Nikita Gusev has still yet to make his way to North America, but the unsigned prospect still ranks seventh in our Top 10.

Want an interesting prospect to keep your eye on? Well, it doesn’t get any more interesting than Russian scoring winger Nikita Gusev. The 5’9 163 lb winger was selected by the Lightning in the seventh round (202nd overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.

Gusev has spent the last six seasons of his hockey career in his home country of Russia playing both in the MHL and KHL. Everywhere he goes he always scores a ton of points and can put on a show for spectators.

He once scored 76 points in just 34 games while playing for Krasnaya Armiya Moskva of the MHL which is absolutely insane. Could we one day see Gusev join fellow Russians Nikita Kucherov, Vladislav Namestnikov, Nikita Nesterov and Andrei Vasilevskiy as part of the team’s recent ‘Russian Invasion’?

Watching Gusev play in both international tournaments and KHL league action, here is my take on his impressive offensive skill set.

“Gusev is just flat-out fun to watch. He has so much skill and uses his excellent speed to fly around the ice. He can zoom around defenders in the neutral zone and easily trick out the opposing goaltender for an easy breakaway goal. He isn’t really a playmaker on the ice, but has good vision and will get his assists.”

However, one thing does concern me about his play.

With all the skill and speed Gusev has offensively, he just does not make an effort defensively. Once the puck is in possession of the opposition, he will stop moving his feet and stay out of the play. This is something that just cannot continue to happen if he wants to have a successful career in North America.

That will not fly with the Tampa Bay Lightning, especially with Jon Cooper behind the bench. Gusev will need to put as much effort into his defensive game as he does when on the offensive if he wants to see time in the NHL.

Speaking of flying, that is exactly what concerns the Lightning about the Russian scorer. He is a flight risk to go back to the KHL if he ever does come over to North America and will probably request a one-way deal and guaranteed NHL ice time to come over. Question is, are the Lightning willing to do that?

Gusev is 23 years old and has a ton of experience playing with men over in Russia. If he ever does come over to the states and plays with the Lightning, he is going to be a dynamic scoring winger that will be worth the price of admission.

Who knows, Gusev could possibly be apart of the team’s future plans after his KHL contract runs out after the 2015-16 season. With possible salary cap trouble up ahead, Gusev may have the chance to get an NHL contract and contribute right away to a team that could soon be losing some key pieces.

Oh, and here is a video of Gusev in the KHL All-Star game showing off his skill set.

Next: Number Six: Mitchell Stephens

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Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2015 second round pick Mitchell Stephens finds himself as the sixth best prospect in our Top 10.

After sending their first round pick to the New York Islanders, the Tampa Bay Lightning used the first of two picks they got back in the trade to take Saginaw Spirit forward Mitchell Stephens.

“If people want to get an impression of what Mitchell Stephens looks like, think Ryan Callahan. We’re not saying Mitchell Stephens is the next Ryan Callahan, but he’s the same size, he works just as hard and can play either wing, can move up and down the lineup.”- Al Murray

You want leadership and a player that can play in all situations? Look no further than Mitchell Stephens.

His worth ethic is off the charts and his leadership is something his teammates have raved about.

Stephens really stepped up his play in his second year with the Spirit scoring 22 goals and 26 assists to help the Spirit. However, it was his performance in the world U-18 championships that really excited teams. Stephens captained Team Canada to a bronze medal scoring 10 points in seven games.

When I watched Stephens play, I really liked what he brought to his team.

“Stephens doesn’t let his small stature drive him away from going to hard areas of the ice and physically battling and coming away with the puck. After he has the puck, his ability to make the perfect pass to his linemates and get the rush going offensively always seemed to stand out on tape. He then uses his speed to get into the offensive zone and if not defended correctly his sneaky accurate wrist shot that seems to fool a lot of goalies and becomes a dangerous weapon.”

However, there is more to like about his game than just what he does offensively.

Another thing that really stood out to me on tape was his willingness to relentlessly pressure the opposing puck carrier. He has a high motor and a no quit attitude that makes him well-respected by his teammates. He just plays the game the right way.

Stephens will most likely return to Saginaw and continue to develop his overall game. Though we may not see the 18-year-old forward in a Lightning uniform for some time, there is a chance Stephens could be a quality top-9 centerman or winger that will bring both leadership and grit to the team as well as the ability to chip in offensively.

Next: Number Five: Adam Erne

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Sep 18, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Adam Erne (46) scores the final goal of the shootout to win the game against the St. Louis Blues for the Lightning at the Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

Our fifth ranked prospect Adam Erne is ready to make a splash in the Lightning organization as he enters his first years as a pro.

Forward Adam Erne is ready to begin his pro career. After spending the last four seasons playing for the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL, the former second round selection in the 2013 NHL Draft is ready to make a name for himself.

After falling out of the first round, the Lightning got a steal in Erne when they selected him with the 33rd pick of the draft. A highly skilled power forward, the North Brandford, Connecticut native has all the tools needed to be a successful player at the NHL level.

I have been able to watch Erne a lot since he was drafted both with the Remparts, international competition with Team USA and his short stint with the Syracuse Crunch. Here is my take on the 6’1 211 lb left winger.

“Erne’s mix of hockey sense, physical ability and good hockey tools makes him one of the organizations top prospects. He is equipped with a hard shot and soft hands that make him a great finisher around the net. If he learns to play with max effort on a nightly basis, Erne would be another player on the Lightning that opposing coaches will lose sleep at night trying to plan for.”

Need something else to be excited about? Erne isn’t afraid to mix it up with the opposition.

Now, he’s no Bokondji Imama when it comes to dropping the gloves, but it is still an element of Erne’s game that makes more fun to watch.

Erne will more than likely begin the 2015-16 season in Syracuse to continue developing his overall game, but don’t be surprised if the 20-year-old forward makes his NHL debut in a Lightning sweater at some point during the season.

The future is bright for the Lightning and Adam Erne is one reason why the team will be competitive for many years to come.

Next: Number Four: Brayden Point

Another player passed over due to his size, Brayden Point continues to prove all the doubters wrong and is the number four rated prospect on our list.

Ok, I will admit, Brayden Point is probably my favorite Tampa Bay Lightning prospect. The 19-year-old Canadian born forward has the talent to be a dynamic scorer at the NHL level, and has used his talents to help both his junior team as well as Team Canada in international tournaments.

When the 2014 NHL Draft rolled around, the Lightning did not expect to see Brayden Point available in the third round. They quickly plucked the 5’10 161 lb forward off the board knowing they just got a gem of a prospect.

When I watched Brayden Point play for the first time I just could not keep my eyes off of him. Then I started taking notes. Here is what I came up with.

“Brayden Point is a fantastic hockey player. He is a dynamic puck carrier with the ability to dish out the puck to linemates and create scoring opportunities. Incredible playmaker. Above average wrist shot, vision. Hockey IQ off the charts. Incredible quickness and soft hands around the net. Tiny, but a future scoring star in the pros if he can add strength and can stay away from hard hits at pro level”

Point got his first taste of the pros in 2014-15 after his season with the Moose Jaw Warriors came to a close and scored two goals and two assists in his first eight pro games. He was a shot in the arm for a Syracuse Crunch team that desperately needed scoring, and Point gave them just that.

Point will return to Moose Jaw as he is still too young to play in the AHL full-time. He will need to bulk up and continue developing his overall game. He will once again rank among the league’s top scorers and most likely exceed the 87 points he put up in 70 games last season. Brayden Point is a star in the making ladies and gentleman, and I look forward to seeing him in a Lightning uniform in the not so distant future.

Next: Number Three: Slater Koekkoek

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(EDITORS NOTE: CAPTION CORRECTION)Mar 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Slater Koekkoek (29) skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Highly skilled defenseman Slater Koekkoek is next on our list as he continues to develop into a shutdown defenseman.

Though he has spent many hours under the knife in recent years, defenseman Slater Koekkoek continues to prove that he still has what it takes to become a quality blueliner at the NHL level. He has had surgery on the same shoulder twice, but yet he still ranks as one of the organizations top prospects.

A star in the making coming out of Canada, Koekkoek had a few rough years before getting his career back on track.

He injured his same shoulder two seasons in a row and had to have surgery on it both times. Many were worried that Koekkoek wouldn’t be able to bounce back from his injuries and would never make it to the NHL.

Koekkoek proved the doubters wrong. He has developed his game at the AHL level and made his NHL debut for the Lightning during the 2014-15 season.

He performed well, but with injured blueliners coming back Koekkoek was sent back to the team’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse to continue developing his game.

Here is some of the thoughts I had about Koekkoek and his game.

“Very good skater for a player of his size that can chip in offensively. Heavy and accurate shot from the point that can make him a possible future powerplay weapon. He has outstanding vision and makes crisp tape to tape passes to start the offensive rush. Great offensive awareness and ability to fall back and stop any sort of counterattack from occurring. Can develop into a top-2 defenseman at the NHL level if he can stay healthy and be a future heavy minute logger.”

Slater Koekkoek is a fantastic blue line prospect that can develop into a top pair defenseman at the NHL level if he can stay on the ice. He lost a bunch of development time due to his shoulder injuries, but it seems like he has caught up pretty fast in his development.

One more full season in Syracuse next season and Koekkoek will be ready for full-time NHL duty come 2016-17. Expect to see him in a Lightning uniform as the first person called up if there is an injury to the defenseman on the NHL roster.

Next: Number Two: Anthony DeAngelo

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Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Anthony Deangelo puts on a team sweater after being selected as the number nineteen overall pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive defenseman Anthony DeAngelo was arguably the top defenseman in Canadian junior hockey last season and he comes in as the second best Lightning prospect on our list.

Remember when the Tampa Bay Lightning system had a need for right-handed defenseman that can score? Well, the team addressed that need when they selected talented offensive defenseman Anthony DeAngelo with the 19th overall selection of the 2014 NHL draft.

DeAngelo impressed everyone in 2014-15 when he tallied 89 points in 55 games between the Sarnia Sting and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.

Remember everyone, DeAngelo is a defenseman, not a forward. Those are video game numbers and DeAngelo did it with ease. Unbelievable.

Watching DeAngelo in his time in junior and international play, here are some notes I took about the Sewell, New Jersey native.

Terrific offensive awareness and exceptional vision and puck moving ability. Tremendous quarterback on the power play with a fantastic slap shot that will give opposing goaltender nightmares.

Like Koekkoek, he has a unique ability to get the puck through screens and defenders looking to block the shot. Smooth skater and uses stick well, especially on smaller forwards.

The offensive ability DeAngelo has from the blue line reminds me of former Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle. Someone who can lead the offensive charge on the power play and still perform well in his own end.

Now, DeAngelo still has some weaknesses in his game.

He can be caught being to fancy with the puck and turn the puck over at critical times. Can be taken off the puck by larger opponents if not positioned correctly. This could get him in trouble at the NHL level if he does not add bulk to his slim frame.

He will be a fantastic addition to the Syracuse Crunch and could possibly challenge for title of top blue line scorer in the AHL next season. He would be our number one prospect if it were not for the final name on our list.

Next: Number One: Andrei Vasilevskiy

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Dec 16, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes a save against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The top prospect in the Tampa Bay Lightning system is future star netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Andrei Vasilevskiy finally got the chance to live up to the hype he has had around him since he was selected 19th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft. Now penciled in as the team’s backup goalie behind Ben Bishop, Vasi will continue to develop into what many hope to be a future starter in Lightning land.

The 6’3 204 lb Russian goaltender started the 2014-15 season with the Syracuse Crunch. The organization expected their prized goalie prospect to spend the entire year in Syracuse and adapt to North American style of play after spending the last five seasons in Russia.

Well, that plan soon fell through and Vasi found himself between the pipes in key games for the Lightning.

When the Evgeni Nabokov retired from the NHL after a poor start to the 2014-15 season, Vasilevskiy was called up after posting a 2.45 GAA and .917 SV% after his first 25 stars in Syracuse.

The Russian netminder was quickly pushed into action and performed far above expectations. In 16 starts with the Lightning during the regular season, the Tyumen, Russia native posted a 2.36 GAA and .918 SV%. That is absolutely fantastic for a goaltender that is facing shots from NHL player for the first time.

Andrei Vasilevskiy is a fantastic goalie prospect. He’s big, covers the net well, and is technically sound in and around the crease. Quick in his crease and can see around screens pretty well for someone who didn’t see much of that back in the KHL. Calm in the net with excellent rebound control for such a young goaltender. This probably has a lot to due with his experience playing against men in Russia

He also got more and more comfortable handing the puck as the season progressed but is still a work in progress. He can be a future star in the league if he continues his development.

While Ben Bishop currently holds down the number one spot on the depth chart for the Lightning, Vasilevskiy will play more than a typical backup usually would. Bishop has an injury history and keeping him fresh for the postseason would be a plus for a team that looks to compete for a Stanley Cup.

Look for Vasilevskiy to play around 25-30 games next season to take some of the pressure off Bishop while still giving the team a great chance to win every time he’s between the pipes. Vasi is an exciting young player and fans love seeing him when he’s in net. Look for the name Andrei Vasilevskiy to be in the spotlight a lot next season and in the future as he continues to develop and one day take the reins as the team’s starter.

Next: Tampa Bay Lightning: The Organization's 'Franchise Four'

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