Lightning: NHL Draft Begins Tonight
By James Yarcho
Even though the Tampa Bay Lightning don’t have a first round pick due to the trades for Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow, the NHL Draft still gets underway tonight with the first round. Beginning tomorrow at 11:30 a.m., the draft will continue where the Lightning have eight picks throughout the day beginning with the last pick in the second round.
Rumors are flying about potential trades the Lightning could make and Tyler Johnson is the top candidate to be dealt. Julien BriseBois asked him if he would be willing to give the team a list of teams he’s be willing to go to to help facilitate a deal and he has apparently complied.
The other players in danger of being moved are Alex Killorn, Ryan McDonagh, and Yanni Gourde in order to provide cap relief and if the players – outside Killorn – are willing to waive their no trade clauses. The Lightning reportedly have four untouchables – Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Victor Hedman, and Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Tyler Johnson has given the Tampa Bay Lightning several teams to work with in the quest for trade. Sources say the list includes a mix of teams league wide. Good communication between Lightning GM, Julien BriseBois and the Johnson camp.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 6, 2020
Cup champs TB have let it be known to other teams they aim to be aggressive in offloading 💰. How aggressive? Hearing teams have been told only four Bolts are unavailable/untouchable: Vasilevskiy; Hedman; Point; Kucherov. Presumably, RFAs Cirelli, Sergachev and Cernak, too.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 6, 2020
The Lightning are trying to get a 1st-round pick as part of a deal for Johnson or Killorn. So far, I'm hearing teams have balked. Do those talks escalate closer to the start of Round 1 tonight? Will the price drop? We'll see.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) October 6, 2020
The Lightning probably won’t get a first round pick in this draft without a surprise deal after the draft is underway but that’s not to say they won’t get one at all by dealing some of these players. Killorn’s draft value has never been higher, though it still may not garner a first rounder.
NHL Draft Information
What: NHL Draft Round One
When: October 6
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV Broadcast: NBCSN, SN, TVAS
Radio Broadcast: SiriusXM NHL Radio
Lightning Picks: None
Round 2-7
What: NHL Draft Rounds Two through Seven
When: October 7
Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
TV Broadcast: NHLN, SN
Radio Broadcast: SiriusXM NHL Radio
Lightning Picks: 62, 85 (From Phi, via SJ), 93, 94 (From Det), 124, 157 (From Ott), 186, 217