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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: Tony DeAngelo #77 of the Philadelphia Flyers controls the puck against the Washington Capitals in the second period of the preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center on September 28, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: Tony DeAngelo #77 of the Philadelphia Flyers controls the puck against the Washington Capitals in the second period of the preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center on September 28, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1st Round — Tony DeAngelo

Draft year: 2014
Career stats: 340GP | 45G | 154A | 199P

DeAngelo’s time in the Lightning organization did not last long as questions about his character and defensive ability clouded his future. He spent one season with AHL Syracuse — which was successful offensively as he scored 43 points in 69 games, but his -18 rating was tied for worst on the team — before being traded to the Arizona Coyotes during the 2016 draft for a second-round draft pick that would subsequently be used on Libor Hájek.

These same issues would persist at successive stops, with the character troubles becoming most apparent in a mix-up with then New York Rangers teammate Alexandar Georgiev. Teammates had to step in, and DeAngelo’s 4-season tenure with the Rangers was over.

A one-year stint with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2022 helped rebuild DeAngelo’s reputation as he scored 51 points in 64 games with a +30 rating.

He signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers before this past season. And now, entering the final year of that deal, there has not been any talk of character issues — perhaps a result of now playing for John Tortorella — but his +/- rating regressed to -30 as the team as a whole struggled.

Looking ahead, DeAngelo’s usage is the highest it has ever been, and his offensive talent is unquestionable, but it is hard to see him ever fully getting a handle over the defensive troubles that have plagued his career. If he stays out of trouble, he looks set to be the Lightning’s top first-round pick from 2013-22.

Honorable mention: Jonathan Drouin (2013)

Drouin’s rise to stardom in Tampa was electric as he scored 95 points in 164 games before the age of 23. But after a trade request, and an ensuing back-and-forth between his agent and GM Steve Yzerman, Drouin was sent to Montreal for Mikhail Sergachev.

With the Canadiens, he initially matched his previous scoring numbers, but has largely not lived up to expectations in Montreal. Having admittedly worked through anxiety and insomnia health troubles, the potential is still there for Drouin to find his early career form under Habs head coach Martin St. Louis as he is only 28 years old.

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