The Tampa Bay Lightning’s prospect pool is still on the lean side, but it isn’t empty. That’s the story at No. 25 in the 2026 NHL Pipeline Rankings: a thin system with a few players who genuinely pop at the top.
Sam O’Reilly leads the way, and he’s the kind of forward who gives a farm system some real substance. Tampa Bay’s 2024 first-rounder has already made a strong impression with a game built on competitiveness, direct offense and enough skill to keep defenses honest. Right behind him is Conor Geekie, a big center with real offensive ability, even if the skating and consistency still leave work to be done.
The Lightning’s 2026 NHL Draft grade comes in at C-, and their 2025 ranking was 28, so there’s at least some movement in the right direction. Given how little draft capital they’ve had over a long run of contention, this is a system that could be in a lot rougher shape.
O’Reilly, born March 30, 2006, is listed at 6-foot-2 and 184 pounds, shoots right, and was drafted No. 32 in 2024. He’s graded as a bubble top and middle-of-the-lineup player.
The report on him is as strong as it gets for a prospect in this range: he was the best player in the OHL regular season, playoffs and Memorial Cup. He brings a hard edge, works the net-front, and can play through contact.
His skating is NHL average, as are his puck skills and hockey sense, but the compete is high-end. He projects as a second-line center who can be used in a variety of situations.
Geekie, born May 5, 2004, checks in at 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, shoots left, and was taken No. 11 in 2022. He spent most of the year in the AHL and was one of the better forwards there.
His appeal is obvious: size, hands, creativity and a big one-timer that can beat goalies from distance. He can make difficult plays to teammates and isn’t afraid to use his frame.
The concern is just as clear, though - his effort can drift, he lives on the perimeter too often for someone that big, and the skating remains a problem. He’s projected as a third-line center.
The next name in the chain is Benjamin Rautiainen, a 20-year-old who was the best player in Liiga last season. Born June 12, 2005, he’s 6-foot-0, 174 pounds, shoots left, and was drafted No. 108 in 2025.
Rautiainen is listed as a middle-of-the-lineup player, and his calling card is playmaking. He’s a good skater with very good hands, strong offensive creativity and above-NHL-average hockey sense and compete.
He doesn’t play a heavy game, but he makes smart decisions and creates offense in the right areas. The projection here is a middle-six winger.
Tampa Bay also has some depth on the back end. Tomáš Královič, born Aug. 28, 2005, is a 6-foot-3, 202-pound right-shot defenseman drafted No. 90 in 2026.
He’s taken a big step in his fourth draft-eligible season, becoming a top defenseman in the Slovak league. His mobility stands out for a player his size, and he can jump into the attack like an NHL defenseman.
He uses his reach, feet and physicality well to make stops, and while his puck game is only average at best, he’s become more consistent as a passer. That gives him a path to NHL games.
Jan Goličič is the other blue-line name worth watching. Born June 30, 2006, he’s massive at 6-foot-5 and 203 pounds, shoots left, and was drafted No. 118 in 2024.
He’s described as an NHL prospect with poor skating, below-NHL-average puck skills, and NHL-average hockey sense and compete. Even so, there’s intrigue because he’s such a large defenseman and can help at both ends.
He makes a good first touch with the puck and competes hard enough, but the skating is the hurdle that will determine how far this goes.
Noah Steen adds another layer of depth up front. Born Aug. 16, 2004, he’s 6-foot-1, 187 pounds, shoots left, and went No. 199 in 2024.
The report credits him with real progress after being a seventh-round pick. He’s a fast, competitive winger who can play both ways and make enough skilled plays to matter.
His hockey sense is below NHL average, but the compete is above average, and he has a chance to become a bottom-six forward.
In goal, the Lightning have Stepan Shurygin. Born Aug. 26, 2007, he’s 6-foot-4 and 207 pounds, catches left, and was drafted No. 186 in 2026.
His numbers in the OHL weren’t great, but the context matters: he played behind a Saginaw team that gave up a lot of grade-A chances. Shurygin is a big goalie who moves well enough for his size, reads the game aggressively and doesn’t waste motion.
He projects as someone who has a chance to be an NHL backup.
In Other News...
Kucherov Just Added Another Reminder Of His Place In Tampa Bay
Nikita Kucherov keeps finding ways to remind everyone where he stands in the leagues pecking order, and the latest one came from the video game world. EA Sports NHL 27 has him rated as the top right winger with a 97 overall mark, continuing a run that has made the Lightning star the standard at his position in the game.
It is the third straight year Kucherov has been given that distinction, which fits neatly with the way his actual season went. He followed a Hart Trophy win for the NHLs most valuable player in 2025-26 with 44 goals and 86 assists, another reminder that his reputation in Tampa Bay is built on more than name recognition. [Read more 🡒]