The Tampa Bay Lightning have a number of promising prospects coming through the ranks, but will the team be able to sign any of their college players? With the upcoming NHL draft and free agency period, there are many questions surrounding the Lightning’s strategy for bringing these young players into the professional leagues. In this article, we explore the potential options available to the team and what it might mean for the future of the Lightning.
The Lightning’s Impressive College Prospect Pool
The Tampa Bay Lightning have had a successful history of drafting and developing young talent. The team has been able to build a solid foundation through the draft, and it looks like the future continues to be bright for the club. The Lightning are in a fortunate position this year with several of their college prospects turning professional.
The Lightning’s College Prospects
The Lightning has a number of notable prospects who are ready to make the jump from college hockey to the professional ranks. Among these prospects are forwards Ross Colton and Alex Barre-Boulet and defenseman Cal Foote.
Ross Colton, a 24-year-old forward, had an impressive college career at the University of Vermont. The two-time all-conference selection scored 12 goals and 10 assists in 27 games in his final season. Colton is known for his quick hands and ability to finish around the net.
Alex Barre-Boulet, another forward prospect, was drafted by Tampa Bay in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He has been playing with the AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch for the past two seasons, posting impressive numbers with 56 goals and 65 assists in 134 games. Barre-Boulet has displayed impressive playmaking abilities and is known for his vision on the ice.
Cal Foote, a promising defenseman, has been highly touted by the Lightning organization. The son of former NHL player and coach Adam Foote, Cal is a natural leader on the ice. He has a strong defensive game, reads the play well, and is able to make a clean first pass out of the zone.
The Lightning’s Signing Strategy
The Lightning has a reputation for being a “Development Team,” as seen with the recent successes of Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli, and Yanni Gourde. The organization will take the necessary time to ensure their prospects are ready to make the jump to the NHL level. They will evaluate each player’s progress and comfort level in their development before making any signing decisions.
Assuming the prospects continue on their upward trajectory, it is likely that the Lightning will sign some or all of them. The 2021 expansion draft is just around the corner, and it is important for Tampa Bay to have a stable pipeline of prospects to ensure the long-term success of the organization.
Conclusion
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s prospect pool is one of the strongest in the NHL. The addition of Colton, Barre-Boulet, and Foote strengthens the already impressive system. The organization will take a patient approach and wait until the prospects are ready to make an impact at the NHL level. As long as the prospects continue to develop as expected, the Lightning will benefit greatly in the long term.
