(Editor's note: Promoted from the FanPosts)

As teams in the NHL begin serious pushes and posturing for playoff spots or tee times at their nearest golf course, focus begins to shift to the annual NHL Entry Draft. Recently, NHL Central Scouting released an updated ranking of the players eligible for this year’s draft, and three draft experts from NHL.com posted their mock draft results.

About the only players who are guaranteed to not be available at the Lightning’s current position are the top two players heading into this year’s draft, Nail Yakupov (RW, Sarnia [OHL]) and Ryan Murray (D, Everett [WHL]).

This short article is caveated with the understanding the draft position of the Lightning could change drastically up or down from their current position (#7).

Here are the mock draft results:

Adam Kimelman:Mike Morreale:Steve Hoffner:

So, NHL.com’s experts believe, at their current pick will either pick Matthew Dumba (D, Red Deer [WHL]) or Filip Forsberg (LW, Leksand [SWE-2]). Here are a brief synopsis of each.

"Many ‘experts’ consider [Dumba] the highest risk/reward prospect eligible in this year’s draft class (Russian prospect notwithstanding). If a team is going to swing for the fences in this draft, selecting Matt Dumba might just be the equivalent of hitting it out of the park (or rink, as it where) in Albert Pujols style." [The Hockey Writers]

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"As a 16-year-old on Leksand’s under-20 team this past season, Forsberg led his squad in scoring with 14 goals and 29 points in 26 games, adding a plus-19 rating for good measure. His point total was also good for fifth in the league. Though he’s no relation to NHL great Peter Forsberg, Filip is a huge fan of ‘Foppa’ and still watches his videos on YouTube. With Filip’s skill, it won’t be long before he makes a name for himself in the NHL." [The Hockey News]

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Again, the Bolts’ draft position will change—potentially drastically—between now and the end of the regular (or playoff) season. Also, these are just two of many very good prospects that will be drafted in the first round this year.

To check on the other eligible, please check out the following sites:
The story of the Mock Drafts [NHL.com]
All NHL Draft-eligible players [NHL.com]