Bolts by the Bay
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Tampa Bay Lightning’s top draft picks of each round the past decade

By Stephen Parrino

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 13: Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning looks to pass in the second period during a game against the Seattle Kraken at Amalie Arena on December 13, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 13: Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning looks to pass in the second period during a game against the Seattle Kraken at Amalie Arena on December 13, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – JULY 07: Ross Colton #79 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with the Stanley Cup following the victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game Five of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Amalie Arena on July 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Canadiens 1-0 to take the series four games to one. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JULY 07: Ross Colton #79 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with the Stanley Cup following the victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game Five of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Amalie Arena on July 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Canadiens 1-0 to take the series four games to one. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

4th Round — Ross Colton

Draft year: 2016
Career stats: 190GP | 47G | 36A | 83P

The fourth round is where we find Colton, our first draftee to have been a member of the Lightning’s run of Stanley Cup appearances from 2020-22. From bursting onto the scene with a goal in his NHL debut, to scoring the series-winning goal in 2021 Final, Colton’s presence has been felt in his relatively short career to-date.

As of now though, Colton’s future with the franchise is up in the air as the Lightning are navigating their remaining limited salary cap space with Alex Killorn, Tanner Jeannot, and Colton all unsigned. Colton’s name in particular has been rumored in trade talks to make salary cap room so that one of the others can fit for next season.

Should the Lightning part with Colton, it would be a major blow to their third line. But Colton will still have made an impact in his time with the team, with more to come wherever his next destination may be.

Honorable mention: Mathieu Joseph (2015)

In his four seasons with the Lightning, Joseph became a fan favorite as his high speed, high effort style of play was infectious to watch. Perhaps his biggest achievement with the team was filling in for an injured Killorn in the 2021 Final, helping to secure the team’s back-to-back championship title. Ultimately, his time in Tampa would come to an end at the 2022 trade deadline when he was included in the Nick Paul trade with the Ottawa Senators.

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