It feels like Christmas morning, but the presents are not going to be unwrapped until around 3 P.M. EDT when the 2013 NHL Draft finally gets underway at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
As it stands right now, the Tampa Bay Lightning are scheduled to make six selections at the draft. While that’s encouraging in a deep draft, it’s not all good news: It’s been highly publicized that Tampa Bay selects 3rd overall this afternoon. Their next drraft pick will be 33rd overall in the 2nd round. After that, the Lightning will not select again until the 5th round (#124).
Suffice it to say, you will likely hear about Tampa Bay trading up for more selections in rounds 3 and 4… But there is also the chance the organization stands pat, confident in the depth it already has in the developmental system.
I’m betting on the former, though: Steve Yzerman may acquire more picks in those middle rounds.
Below i sthe listing of the Lightning’s current draft selections:
1 3rd
2 33rd
5 124th
6 154th
7 184th
7 186th (from Carolina)
