After a long break between picks, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected center Aiden Foster with the 127 pick of the 2025 NHL Draft. The 6’2″, 183 lbs. forward recorded 11 goals, 9 assists, and a whopping 136 penalty minutes with the Prince George Cougers of the WHL last season.
If you think the Lightning need to add some [grit/sandpaper/toughness/truculence] to the organization, this is your guy. Foster shows up ready to hit and doesn’t mind going into scrums to separate opponents from the puck. While a renowned dropper of the gloves, Foster also uses that physicality to establish a tough forecheck. The big question as he develops will be if he can get his skating to the point where it’s not a liability at the NHL level. He’s never going to be a big point producer, but he could turn into the type of player that raises the level of the game with a strong forecheck or a big hit along the boards.
He is not devoid of skill, players can’t make it in hockey these days by being completely one-dimensional (unless that dimension is putting the puck in the net),
From Elite Prospects:
“This season, Foster steadily improved his puck game, which largely started with his physicality. He started initiating contact early, cutting off back pressure, and trying to take the puck to the net. Down low, he used the threat of the hit to pick up the puck and spin it back out into the slot for a chance. There are occasional moments of deception and creativity, too, limited by his handling skill and lack of acceleration.
While Foster’s skill level, agility, and stride still have a lot of work before they’re ready for the professional ranks, his steady growth with possession suggests he could become a bigger scorer in a year or two, and potentially push for a depth role in the long term.”
