27. Tampa Bay Lightning – Patrick Puistola (LW, Tappara, SM-Liiga)
The Lightning had arguably the most disappointing end to the season of any NHL team.
A season that saw them win the President’s Trophy by a landslide, only to be swept in the first round by the wildcard Columbus Blue Jackets. Yeah, it was that bad.
After selecting a solid defensive prospect in 2017 in Cal Foote, the Lightning went last year without a first round pick and now have a chance to add another big name to their prospect pool. And I have them taking a bold pick at 27th overall this year.
I know I’ve sounded like a broken record talking about prospects being ranked all over the place, but Patrick Puistola might have the widest range in terms of where he could go.
He’s been ranked as high as 19th overall and as low as 73rd overall, so he could go anywhere between the first round and the third round.
The 6’0 left winger spent this season playing in all of Finland’s three major leagues, spending most of it with Tappara’s J20 team where he registered 22 points in 25 games.
He could be a potentially high reward pick should the Bolts grab him at 27th overall.