{"id":130268,"date":"2022-06-30T13:30:46","date_gmt":"2022-06-30T17:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=130268"},"modified":"2022-06-30T13:28:52","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T17:28:52","slug":"tampa-bay-lightning-draft-seven-round-mock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/06\/30\/tampa-bay-lightning-draft-seven-round-mock\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay Lightning Draft: Seven-Round Mock"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2022 NHL Draft is fast approaching. They elected to keep their first-round draft selection for the first time in what seems like forever. But that hasn\u2019t held them back before, Nikita Kucherov<\/a> and Brayden Point<\/a> were both second-round choices so there is always talent to be found throughout the draft. With the draft fast approaching, who is a Tampa Bay Lightning draft fit?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Lightning Draft Fits: Seven-Round Mock Draft<\/b><\/h2>\n

After looking at forward fits, defensemen fits and goalie fits, it\u2019s time for a Lightning-specific seven-round mock draft. Before we get into that, if you haven\u2019t yet, listed below are all the \u201cdraft fit\u201d articles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

QMJHL Fits: Forwards<\/a> and Defence<\/a><\/p>\n

OHL Fits: Forwards<\/a> and Defence<\/a><\/p>\n

WHL Fits: Forwards<\/a> and Defence<\/a><\/p>\n

USHL Fits: Forwards<\/a> and Defence<\/a><\/p>\n

Russian League Fits: Forwards<\/a> and Defence<\/a><\/p>\n

US High School Fits: Forwards<\/a><\/p>\n

Finnish League Fits: Forwards<\/a><\/p>\n

Forwards-Only Mock Draft<\/a><\/p>\n

Defence-Only Mock Draft<\/a><\/p>\n

Lightning Goalie Draft Fits<\/a><\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Lightning Draft Trade: Pick #31 and #169 To Arizona Coyotes For Pick #34 and #67<\/b><\/h3>\n

With the inability to trade players in Draft Prospects Hockey\u2019s mock draft simulator, it was a pick swap. The Coyotes have\u2026 plenty of draft picks, which is an understatement. They can, and likely will trade up if the opportunity presents itself. For the Lightning, with how bare their prospect cupboard has become, along with no second or third-round picks after their first, they should trade back. Not to mention, this class is built in a way that trading back and raking in more picks is the smarter move.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Had there been an opportunity for a player to be involved, Alex Killorn<\/a> may have been thrown in. Killorn is likely on the trade block as the Lightning look to keep Ondrej Palat<\/a> and Nick Paul<\/a> after their respective performances in the playoffs. Had Killorn been thrown in, the trade likely would have been: Pick 31 and Alex Killorn to the Coyotes for picks 34 and 43.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

34th Overall: Tampa Bay Lightning Draft Lane Hutson, Left Defence, USNTDP<\/b><\/h3>\n

With their first pick after trading back, the Lightning take, arguably, the largest swing of the draft. Selecting the undersized Hutson may draw criticisms from many, but the sheer level of talent is tantalizing. If Hutson was about three or four inches taller, he\u2019d be a top-15 or even a top-10 pick. This past season, Hutson scored 10 goals and 53 assists for 63 points in 60 games with the USNTDP, including 32 points in 27 games against USHL competition. He is committed to Boston University for the 2023-24 season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutson is an outstanding defenseman, and it starts with his elite skating ability. While he does need to work on his acceleration to truly be elite at the NHL level, his speed, four-way mobility and stride mechanics are all excellent. Offensively, he needs work on his shot but features high-end IQ and vision via his playmaking ability. He has immense confidence, and he\u2019s willing and able to jump up in the play and stickhandle around opponents to create space for himself and his teammates. <\/span><\/p>\n

Transitionally, he is one of the best defenders in the class amongst those who were tracked. And perhaps the most underrated part of his game, due to his size, is his defensive zone play. While he likely won\u2019t be as effective moving up the ranks, he more than held his own with the NTDP team. He has the work ethic and IQ to translate his defensive game to be at least average if he can bulk up and grow a bit more. Hutson has elite upside if all things go smoothly in his development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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NEW! @scouching<\/a> breaks down Lane Hutson USNDP<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s been a little while since we profiled an undersized defenseman, and we\u2019ve saved one of the best for last in Lane Hutson of the USA\u2019s Under-18 NTDP team. And hoooooo boy is this a fun little player”https:\/\/t.co\/4HSXmkz6k7<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/MIdGmkyyJv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 McKeen’s Hockey (@mckeenshockey) June 23, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n