Tampa Bay’s system is thin, but the Lightning have done a decent job outside the first round, picking several players who have chances to make it. Despite their very limited pick capital, this system isn’t a disaster.

2024 ranking: 32

2025 NHL Draft grade: C+

Player Ranking

1. Conor Geekie, C

May 5, 2004 | 6-foot-4 | 207 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 11 in 2022
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Geekie was up and down in the NHL to start the season with Tampa Bay, but was very good when they sent him to the AHL. He’s only 20 and very talented, so I’m not too worried about some bumps as a rookie pro. Geekie is an exciting prospect because he’s a big center with very good offensive skills. He has great in-tight hands, makes tough plays to his teammates and has a big one-timer that can score from a distance. Geekie doesn’t shy from using his big body, either. I think his overall effort level can waver, though. His skating has also long been an issue, and the NHL pace will be a problem for him. He will need to bring his A-game more consistently, but I think he works hard enough and has shown progress in that area over the years to where he could be a top-six forward, and potentially a second-line center.

2. Ethan Czata, C

May 29, 2007 | 6-foot-1 |174 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 56 in 2025
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end

Analysis: Czata’s game developed well this season, becoming an important part of Niagara’s team. He isn’t going to land on many highlight reels, but he does a lot of things NHL teams will covet as a good-sized center who skates well and plays very hard. Czata shows no hesitancy to engage in physical play. He lands a lot of hits and drives the net consistently to generate offense. He has some touch with the puck, but doesn’t have much creativity or vision. He projects as a bottom-six forward who could be a fourth-line center.

3. Sam O’Reilly, C

March 30, 2006 | 6-foot-1 | 190 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 32 in 2024
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: O’Reilly was an important center for London, playing on both special teams. He competes hard, creates a lot of offense at the net front and has physicality. He’s a solid skater who can transition pucks and can skate at the top level. O’Reilly has quality skill and vision, and tries to create offense in a direct, translateable way. I wouldn’t call his puck play a true standout part of his game, though. London was a deep offensive team this year, and O’Reilly didn’t get the prime power-play minutes, which he likely will next season and will thus have a better chance to showcase his skill. Currently, he projects as a bottom-six forward or a fourth-line center.

4. Klavs Veinbergs, C

March 27, 2003 | 6-foot-3 | 198 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 224 in 2022
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Veinbergs hasn’t posted major scoring numbers, but the tools he has are very interesting for the NHL. He’s a big center who moves quite well and has a lot of physicality in his game. He can be quite overpowering at the college level and has clear NHL-level athleticism. The question about his game is his level of offense. In the past, I haven’t bought that he has enough skill for the NHL, and it’s still probably on the bubble, but this year he displayed enough touch and offensive IQ to make me think he could be a bottom-six forward.

5. Niko Huuhtanen, RW

June 26, 2003 | 6-foot-3 | 198 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 224 in 2021
Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Huuhtanen was one of the top scorers in Liiga last season. He wasn’t quite as effective in the AHL, but his toolkit is still interesting for the NHL level. He’s a big winger with good hands and a great shot. He can finish plays and do so from range. Huuhtanen is also quite physical, and can get under opponents’ skins. His skating is heavy for the NHL, though, and I don’t think he’s an amazing playmaker. He projects as a useful depth forward for an organization.

Has a chance to play*

Ethan Gauthier is a hardworking winger with good hands, speed and vision. The offense he displayed in the QMJHL isn’t as top-end as once envisioned, but he has enough skill to potentially be a bottom-six winger who kills penalties.

Dylan Duke, LW

March 4, 2003 | 5-foot-10 | 176 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 126 in 2021

Ethan Gauthier, RW

January 26, 2005 | 6-feet | 183 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 37 in 2023

Jan Golicic, D

June 30, 2006 | 6-foot-5 | 194 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 118 in 2024

Roman Luttsev, C

April 1, 2006 | 6-feet| 174 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 206 in 2025

Harrison Meneghin, G

September 13, 2004 | 6-foot-4 | 174 pounds | Catches left | Drafted: No. 206 in 2024

Benjamin Rautiainen, C

June 12, 2005 | 6-feet | 174 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 108 in 2025

* Listed in alphabetical order

Player eligibility: All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2025, regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are eligible. Player heights and weights are taken from the NHL.

Tool grades: Tool grades are based on a scale with six separate levels, with an eye toward how this attribute would grade in the NHL (poor, below-average, average, above-average, high-end and elite). “Average” on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is meant as a positive, not a criticism. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete for every projected NHL player are graded. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor.

Tier definitions: Tiers are meant to show roughly where in an average NHL lineup a player projects to slot in.

(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic. Photo: Mark LoMoglio / Getty Images)