After swinging for the fences on Friday night and selecting defenseman Anthony DeAngelo with the 19th overall pick, the Tampa Bay Lightning added six more players on day two of the draft.
35th Overall – Dominik Masin Masin is a 6’2… defenseman who played last season with Slavia Praha in the Czech Jr. league. In 39 games he scored two goals and added 19 assists for 21 points. TSN’s Craig Button describes Masin as a player who “helps a team win some way, some how.… That sort of compete level will fit nicely in the Lightning’s system. Masin will transition from Europe to North America this next year, as he is expected to suit up in the Canadian Hockey League.
57th Overall – Johnathan MacLeod Ranked higher than 57th by numerous scouting services, MacLeod is a 6’1… defenseman playing with the US National Team’s Development Program. Button describes him as a player with an all-around style, and notes that he can really “make an impact… on a game.
79th Overall – Brayden Point Tampa traded its 80th overall selection to move up one spot and grab undersized forward Brayden Point. Expected by some to sneak into the first round, Point has been described as a ‘steal’ since the Bolts grabbed him in the third. He scored 36 goals and 91 points this past year with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Western Hockey League. ESPN’s prospect guru Corey Pronman made this observation:
TB select Brayden Point. Not insane to think he ends up the best player from their draft class.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 28, 2014Ben Thomas is a real good pick for the Lightning. They've drafted very well.
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) June 28, 2014185th Overall – Cameron Darcy The Lightning once again traded up to get the player they wanted. An overage player, Darcy skated with Cape Breton in the QMJHL last season. He scored 35 goals and notched 82 points in 65 games. Because of his age, he will be eligible to play in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch next season should he earn a spot.
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Overall, it’s hard not to like what the Lightning did this weekend. By adding depth in the blue line prospect pool, Tampa’s farm looks like it will be solid for years to come. As I’ve said before, the future is bright.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by this weekend. I’ll be back with some July 1st coverage early next week.