Oleg Kulebiakin is the kind of prospect who forces your attention. The Lightning liked him enough to move up in the second round and grab him at No. 52 in the 2026 draft, and there’s already a familiar name hanging over the conversation: Nikita Kucherov.
That comparison is a big swing, and nobody’s pretending it’s a safe one. But the overlap is obvious in the way Kulebiakin sees the ice.
He’s dangerous around the half-wall, keeps his head up in the offensive zone, and seems to process the play a beat ahead of everyone else. It’s the sort of trait that jumps out fast, especially for a winger who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 179 pounds and will be 18 on October 1, 2026.
Kulebiakin’s first year in the QMJHL gave the Lightning plenty to like. He put up 73 points, scoring 29 goals and adding 44 assists, which ranked third among 17-year-olds in the league.
He also led the Halifax Mooseheads in scoring and finished 17th overall in league assists. For a debut season, that’s a strong calling card.
His production wasn’t perfectly smooth, though. He was steady enough across much of the season, posting 13 points in each of October, November, January and February, but December was a rougher stretch.
He managed six points in 10 games that month, including a run of just one point in seven games. Then he closed the year with a 12-game point streak, piling up 6 goals and 16 assists.
Now the next step is about consistency. Kulebiakin is expected back in Halifax for another season, then he’s committed to the University of Massachusetts for 2027-28. After that, the path could lead to the pros.
Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois has already pointed to the skill level that made Kulebiakin stand out. He also tied the conversation back to Kucherov with a comment that matters just as much for the player’s development as his highlight reel.
“The one thing I hope that all our players take from Nikita, if anything, is his work ethic and commitment to excellence and being the best player he can be. So, hopefully, over time here Oleg gets exposed to Nikita, and some of that rubs off of him.”
That’s the real test here. Kulebiakin’s talent got him drafted, but talent alone won’t carry him to the NHL.
Skilled playmakers can hit a wall when the competition gets faster and stronger, and the plays that worked at lower levels stop showing up. He’ll need more than touch and vision to make the leap.
There are also some clear areas to sharpen. Scouts have noted that he can play a bit on the perimeter, doesn’t always drive into the tougher areas, and can be knocked off the puck at times.
Adding strength should help. His skating is solid, but it becomes more noticeable when he’s chasing a breakaway than when he’s working back defensively.
That kind of thing isn’t unusual for a young player, and he has time to build it up.
One of the more telling notes on his game came from Elite Prospects’ Hadi Kalakeche, who wrote, “His dekes looked more pre-planned and efficient in this game; he was solving problems rather than flashing skill for the sake of it.”
That’s the kind of detail coaches love. Stickhandling for the sake of stickhandling only goes so far. Making the right move at the right time is what turns a flashy prospect into a real NHL threat.
For now, Kulebiakin looks like one of the more intriguing names in the Lightning system. His vision and playmaking are already among the best in the prospect pool, and if the rest of his game catches up, he has a real chance to work his way into Tampa Bay’s top six down the line.
The buzz around him is real, too. He was the first prospect in the group to draw a first-place vote, and his ranking varied widely across ballots, with at least one vote in almost every slot except No. 2 and No. 4.
Among the comments from voters: “Kulebyakin was a nice pick. Watched him in development camp and his shot is nice.”
“I ranked Oleg Kulebiakin as my number 1 prospect. I believe he has all the tools to be a star in the NHL.”
“Kulebyakin is another boom or bust offensive player.”
“Kulbyakin is a young prospect with a lot of potential (top 6) in my opinion. I’m curious to see how he develops.”
“Kulebyakin, if he can be 70% of the player Kuch is, all the more reason to move Kuch.”
“Kulebyakin being mentioned in the same sentence as Kucherov is enough to merit attention to his prospective future, but then you couple that with what he was able to show during the prospect camp. It’s hard not to be a little hyped over his future.”
In Other News...
Cutter Gauthier Suddenly Puts Ducks In A Tough Contract Spot
The NHLs annual pre-camp business has already turned into a reminder of how quickly the calendar moves once summer ends. During a digital meeting with all 32 head coaches and general managers, the league went over the coming season and the new collective bargaining agreement set to take effect Sept. 16, while also confirming the 2027 draft will be decentralized for a third straight year. For Tampa Bay, though, the more immediate focus is on the contract uncertainty hanging over Nikita Kucherov as training camp draws near.
Negotiations are still ongoing, and there has been no agreement yet for the Lightning forward, whose status is only becoming more notable as the season nears. The lack of clarity leaves Tampa Bay waiting on a decision that could shape its near-term plans, and the silence around the talks has only added to the intrigue around one of the teams biggest stars. [Read more 🡒]
Lightning Fans Get An Early Look At Tampa Bays Next Wave
The Lightning are giving fans a first real glimpse at the next group of prospects set to bubble up through the organization, with the club unveiling its roster and schedule for the 2026 Prospect Showcase in North Carolina. The three-day tournament runs Sept. 13-15 and brings Tampa Bay into matchups with prospect groups from the Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators, with games played in three 20-minute periods and the possibility of overtime or a shootout.
Among the names to watch are Sam OReilly and Dylan Duke, along with recent draft picks Oleg Kulebiakin, Tomas Kralovic and Benjamin Rautiainen. For a team that has spent years trying to stay competitive while keeping an eye on what comes next, these events matter because they are one of the few chances to see how quickly the organizations younger talent can start pushing for bigger opportunities. [Read more 🡒]