Sport-scan daily brief

They used the 17th-overall pick on goalie Marek Schwarz (six NHL games) in 2004, the 30th-overall pick on Shawn Belle (20 NHL games) in 2003 and the 48th overall pick in 2002 on Alexei Shkotov (never played in the NHL).

However, those same drafts produced David Backes (second round, 2003), Lee Stempniak (fifth round, 2003) and defenseman Roman Polak (sixth round, 2004).

In 1987, the Blues drafted Keith Osborne (16 NHL games) 12th overall only to see future Hall of Famer Joe Sakic go to Quebec (later the Colorado Avalanche) three picks later.

Signability is also important when considering European players, especially those from Russia. Many get lucrative offers from the KHL, the Russian pro league, and some use that as a stepping stone to the NHL.

The team was disappointed earlier this year when one of their top forward prospects, 2008 draft pick Jori Lehtera from Finland, passed on the Blues' offer to come to North America this season and instead signed with a KHL team.

"There' a lot of different factors when you draft players from overseas," Armstrong said. "Sometimes when you talk to them, you can see that in his personality and his commitment that he's already made up his mind that he wants to come over and play.

"You meet with these kids and try to talk to everybody and do a background search."

Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 06.30.2013

683082 Tampa Bay Lightning

Top-five draft picks in Lightning history

By Erik Erlendsson | Tribune Staff

Published: June 30, 2013

The The Lightning hold the No. 3 overall pick in today's NHL entry draft, marking the 10th time in franchise history Tampa Bay has held a top-five pick. Seven times the team used its pick to select a player - in 1999, Tampa Bay traded the No. 1 overall pick and in 2002, Tampa Bay traded the No. 4 pick to Philadelphia. Here is a look at the players the Lightning chose in the top five:

Year Player Pick Pos.

2009 Victor Hedman No. 2 Defenseman

Comment: Hedman continues to improve his overall game as a top-two defenseman, showing marked gains in each of his first four seasons. The 23-year-old, under contract until the 2015-16 season, has 16 goals and 89 points in 258 games.

2008 Steven Stamkos No. 1 Center

Comment: Stamkos is one of the game's top scorers and a two-time Richard Trophy winner as the league's goals leader. No other player has scored more goals than the 185 Stamkos has during the past four seasons. The 23-year-old is under contract through the 2014-15 season.

2003 Alex Svitov No. 3 Center

Comment: The big, two-way center never panned out for the Lightning - or any other team. Tampa Bay traded him to Columbus for Darryl Sydor in 2004. He is currently in his native Russia, playing the last six seasons with Salavat Yulaev in the Kontinental Hockey League.

1998 Vinny Lecavalier No. 1 Center

Comment: Lecavalier played his entire career with Tampa Bay before being bought out on Thursday and is the franchise leader with 383 goals. While not the 50-goal scorer he was while winning the Richard Trophy in 2006-07, the former team captain is a consistent 25-goal, 75-point threat, and his defensive game has improved.

1995 Daymond Langkow No. 5 Center

Comment: After four up-and-down seasons with the Lightning, which included a suspension for failing to accept a minor-league assignment, Langkow was traded to the Flyers. After scoring 27 goals in four seasons with Tampa Bay, he went on to score 270 goals in 1,090 career NHL games.

1993 Chris Gratton No. 3 Center

Comment: Gratton never lived up to his power-forward potential, but he played three stints with the Lightning. He first left the team as a free agent after four seasons. He returned in a trade with the Flyers in 1998 and served as Tampa Bay's captain for the 1999-2000 season. But in March 2000 he was traded to Buffalo. After subsequent stops in Phoenix and Florida, Gratton was traded back to the Lightning in 2007. He was off to a good start in 2007-08, but a hip injury marked the beginning of the end of his career. He retired with a respectable 214 goals in 1,092 career games while playing for seven teams.

1992 Roman Hamrlik No. 1 Defenseman

Comment: An offensive defenseman, Hamrlik was the first draft pick in franchise history. He played five-plus seasons with Tampa Bay before being traded to Edmonton. After 20 seasons and seven teams, he's still active during an NHL career that has spanned 1,395 games, the most by any active player.

Tampa Tribune LOADED: 06.30.2013

683083 Tampa Bay Lightning

Impact player on the way for Lightning

By Erik Erlendsson | Tribune Staff

Published: June 30, 2013

NEWARK, N.J. - Franchises adapt and evolve. Players come and go.

But the transformation of a team can take place with one move, one right selection on draft day.

The Lightning have that chance this afternoon when the 2013 NHL Entry Draft takes place at Prudential Center.

While each draft has its own personality, strengths and weaknesses, there is one consensus heading into today - holding the No. 3 pick gives Tampa Bay the chance to reshape the roster with a franchise player.

"You are going to get a player that can potentially impact your franchise for the next decade,'' NHL director of scouting Don Marr said of holding a top-three pick this season.

Tampa Bay has been here before in previous drafts and is holding a top-five pick for the 10th time in franchise history after making seven previous selections.

There have been varying degrees of success with those picks: Vinny Lecavalier, Roman Hamrlik, Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman made substantial and positive impacts. But Alex Svitov, Daymond Langkow and Chris Gratton did not have the same sort of impression on the franchise.

Of those seven selections, Lecavalier, Hamrlik, Stamkos and Hedman were taken with a top-two pick. Svitov and Gratton were selected with the third pick and Langkow was a fifth overall selection.

There are no guarantees that Tampa Bay's selection - assuming it holds on to the pick - will turn into a star player or help turn the Lightning into a perennial playoff contender.

But the potential is there.

"This draft is very strong at the top,'' Lightning director of scouting Al Murray said. "If you have a pick in the top five, you might be getting a star player who can really help carry your team to another level.

"We are going to get one of those guys and hopefully that guy can come in and have that kind of impact on our organization. ... Lots of impact players in this draft and you don't get that every year.''

This year's draft class is already drawing comparisons to the 2003 draft that produced Eric Staal, Nathan Horton, Thomas Vanek, Ryan Suter, Dion Phaneuf, Jeff Carter, Dustin Brown, Zach Parise, Ryan Getzlaf, Mike Richards and Corey Perry, among others.

Marr believes there is the potential for some of the top players in this year's draft to have an even bigger impact on the league than the class of 2003.

In particular, playmaking winger Jonathan Drouin out of Halifax has drawn some heavy comparisons.

"A lot of older scouts in the business have told me, and I agree with them, I think Joe Sakic is a good comparison,'' Marr said. "(Drouin) has the potential to be a Hall of Fame player.''

With Drouin's ability to make plays, find seams and set up teammates in the offensive zone, the potential of him playing alongside center Steven Stamkos could prove a dynamic combination.

"Oh for sure, (Drouin) would set him up all night and day, all day long,'' Marr said. "Anyone that gets to play alongside Jonathan Drouin really appreciates him, and there will be guys who want to play with him.

"Everyone talks about playing on the third line, but you may have some of those first- and second-liners wanting to play with him because he will feed him the puck.''

There is the same potential impact, albeit in a different manner, with players such as defenseman Seth Jones, center Nathan MacKinnon, center Aleksander Barkov or winger Valeri Nichuskin.

And with the Lightning holding a top-five pick, one of them has the potential to help steer Tampa Bay back in the right direction.

"We are hopeful in that top five that you will be getting a player that will play for you for 15 to 18 years and be a real good player for you,'' Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said. "And I think if you go back and analyze the drafts every year, there are very few that really kind of turn a franchise around.

"Everybody picking that high, we are all hoping we get one of those couple of guys. Real impact players are hard to get, so it's important, and there is a little bit of luck involved, but you can really set yourself up for a long, long time.''

Rumor of the day

The days leading up to the draft are as rumor-filled as the days leading up to the trade deadline.

One of the biggest rumors Saturday had Tampa Bay showing interest in acquiring Boston winger Tyler Seguin. The third-year pro was the second overall pick in 2010 and will begin a six-year, $34.5 million contract next season that carries a $5.75 million salary cap hit.

In three seasons with the Bruins, Seguin has 56 goals and 121 points in 203 games.

Draft party

The Lightning are hosting a draft party from 2-5 p.m. today at Champps at International Plaza.

Team broadcasters Rick Peckham, Bobby Taylor and Dave Mishkin will be on hand for a special edition of "Lightning Hockey Night" that will air from 3-5 p.m. on 1250 AM. Former Lightning all-star Brian Bradley also will be present.

Fans in Lightning attire will receive a 10 percent discount on food and beverage, while season-ticket holders wearing their jerseys or who present their STM card will receive a 15 percent discount.

There will also be giveaways and raffle prizes.

Tampa Tribune LOADED: 06.30.2013

683084 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lecavalier meeting with several teams

Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer

Saturday, June 29, 2013 4:30am

Vinny Lecavalier cannot sign with a new team until Friday, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. But with the buyout of his contract, the former Lightning star is free to negotiate with any team except Tampa Bay.

Lecavalier, 33, and his camp met in New York on Saturday with the Stars, Flyers, Blues, Ducks, Maple Leafs and Canadiens, and will meet with the Red Wings and Flames today, Canadian media reported.

"We're trying to move the process forward as quickly as possible," Lecavalier's agent, Kent Hughes, told the Tampa Bay Times. "We haven't set a definitive timetable."

Up to 15 teams are said to have shown interest in Lecavalier, including the Sharks and Panthers. Lecavalier hoped to have a list of teams in which he is seriously interested by this morning, to help teams with their draft-day strategies, reports said.

Lecavalier, whose $32.667 million buyout is the richest in league history, has not spoken publicly since Thursday's buyout announcement.

Asked how his client is handling the realization his 14-season career with the Lightning is over, Hughes said, "It's been a whirlwind. First, dealing with the media and then trying to figure out in short order what his future has in store. So, I don't know how much time he's had to sit back and think about it."

Bruins: Wing Nathan Horton told the team he wants a new beginning and will become an unrestricted free agent Friday, reports said.

Canucks: General manager Mike Gillis said teams have inquired about trading for goaltender Cory Schneider, the latest twist in Vancouver's year-long saga of what to do about its goalie situation. For months the team has been trying to get rid of Roberto Luongo, 34, who has nine years left on a deal with an annual salary cap charge of $5.33 million, but the deal has been hard to trade because of the money and the haul the team wants in return. Luongo also has been the subject of buyout speculation.

All-rookie team: As voted by Professional Hockey Writers' Association, the members are forwards Jonathan Huberdeau (Panthers), Brendan Gallagher (Canadiens) and Brandon Saad (Blackhawks); defensemen Jonas Brodin (Wild) and Justin Schultz (Oilers); and goalie Jake Allen (Blues).

Olympics: As expected, the Penguins' Dan Bylsma was named by USA Hockey as coach of the team for next year's Games at Sochi, Russia. Bylsma, 42, has no international coaching experience; he said he would rely on the advice of Americans who had coached at that level before.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.30.2013

683085 Tampa Bay Lightning

No bad options in draft for Lightning at No. 3

Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer

Saturday, June 29, 2013 6:31pm

NEWARK, N.J. — Jonathan Drouin said exactly what he likely was coached to say when asked what he anticipates from today's NHL draft at the Prudential Center.

"It's been a long process," he said. "A lot of hype. I just want to be in a great organization."

But when pressed about perhaps being taken by the Lightning with the No. 3 overall pick and maybe one day playing on a line with Steven Stamkos, the left wing perked up.

"For sure," he said. "Tampa is a team I really like. They have a lot of young prospects. They have a really good team, so, obviously, I'd like to go to Tampa."

If things play out as many expect, Drouin, 18 — the MVP of the junior Quebec league last season and whom Al Murray, the Lightning's director of amateur scouting, called "as good a play-maker as there is in the draft" — might be Tampa Bay's choice.

Then again, the Lightning, desperate for an impact center after the buyout of Vinny Lecavalier, could go with Finland's Aleksander Barkov, who some believe is most NHL ready.

On the other hand, there are scenarios in which defenseman Seth Jones, ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the No. 1 North American skater, might fall to No. 3. If so, he would merit serious consideration.

The point is, Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said, "regardless of who goes one and two, we get a really good prospect."

Yzerman is comfortable enough with his options, he said, that he doesn't feel a need to trade up or down.

That said, the Bruins, whose first pick is No. 60, want to move up and were rumored to have engaged Yzerman in talks for speedy right wing Tyler Seguin. How much traction the talks had was unclear. There also have been plenty of rumblings Yzerman is willing to part with left wing Ryan Malone. Tampa Bay also has a deep well of prospects with which to deal. (For more on the Seguin rumors, go to tampabay.com/blogs/lightning.)

Otherwise, what Tampa Bay does is dependent on what happens with the Avalanche at No. 1 and Panthers at No. 2. Colorado has indicated it will take right wing Nathan MacKinnon. Reports point to Florida taking Jones.

If it plays out that way, Tampa Bay might be deciding between Drouin, who last season had 41 goals and 105 points in 49 games for Halifax, and Barkov, whose 48 points last season were second for Tappara and a record for a 17-year-old in Finland's elite league.

A separated shoulder sustained in the first round of the playoffs is not expected to affect Barkov's status.

"He's big, and he's a very good skater," Murray said of the 6-foot-2, 202-pounder he compared to San Jose's Joe Thornton. "He doesn't run all over the place. He's not the first guy in on hits, but he's very conscious of his defensive positioning."

As for Drouin, "he will set (Stamkos) up night and day, all day long," said Don Marr, the director of NHL Central Scouting. "Anyone who gets to play next to Drouin really appreciates him. Everybody talks about the kid playing on the third line, but he may have some of those first- and second-liners wanting to play with him."

The Lightning certainly will need another playmaker once Marty St. Louis, who turned 38 this month, calls it quits, and Drouin on Saturday met with Tampa Bay.

There still is plenty of time for intrigue. Trade chatter heated up for the Avalanche on Saturday.

"And I have no idea what Florida is thinking right now," Yzerman said. "I know (GM Dale Tallon) has considered moving back to four (from No. 2), so that could change things if Nashville were able to move up (from No. 4). We could potentially have to make a decision."

One that, it seems, will provide a good outcome.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@tampabay.com.

Top of the list

The Lightning likely will choose one of these players with the No. 3 overall draft pick today.

Aleksander Barkov

AGE: 17

HT/WT: 6-2; 205

Need to know: Ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the No. 1 European skater. … Second on Tappara (Finland) with 48 points on 21 goals, 27 assists.

Jonathan Drouin

AGE: 18

POS: LW

Need to know: The junior Quebec league's MVP with 41 goals and 105 points in 49 games for Halifax.

Seth Jones

AGE: 18

HT/WT: 6-4; 205

Need to know: Ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the No. 1 North American skater. … Led the junior Western league at plus-46 and with 56 points on 14 goals, 42 assists in 61 games for Portland.

Nathan MacKinnon

AGE: 17

POS: C

Need to know: MVP of the Memorial Cup (the Canadian junior championship) with a tournament-best seven goals, 13 points in 13 games for winner Halifax.

Valeri Nichushkin

AGE: 18

HT/WT: 6-4; 202

Need to know: Had four goals, seven points in six games for Russia at the 2013 under-18 world championship. … A poor NHL combine hurt his status.

Draft details

Makeup: All seven rounds are today

Lightning picks: First round (third overall), second (33rd), fifth (124th), sixth (154th), seventh (184th and 186th)

Lightning watch party: 2-5 p.m., Champps Americana Sports Bar, International Plaza, Tampa

Draft order

First round

1. Colorado

2. Florida

3. Tampa Bay

4. Nashville

5. Carolina

6. Calgary

7. Edmonton

8. Buffalo

9. New Jersey

10. Dallas

11. Philadelphia

12. Phoenix

13. Winnipeg

14. Columbus

15. N.Y. Islanders

16. Buffalo (from Minnesota)

17. Ottawa

18. Detroit

19. Columbus (from N.Y. Rangers)

20. San Jose

21. Toronto

22. Calgary (from St. Louis)

23. Washington

24. Vancouver

25. Montreal

26. Anaheim

27. Columbus (from Los Angeles)

28. Calgary (from Pittsburgh)

29. Dallas (from Boston)

30. Chicago

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.30.2013

683086 Tampa Bay Lightning

As rumors swirl ahead of draft Lightning said to have interest in Bruins' Tyler Seguin

Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer

Saturday, June 29, 2013 3:49pm

The rumor mill kicked into high gear on Saturday and the Lightning had a prime place at the table as there was speculation it had interest in speedy Bruins right wing Tyler Seguin.

The basis for this rumor: Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman and Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli were seen speaking at the Jersey City hotel that is headquarters for both organizations ahead of Sunday’s draft in Newark N.J.

Of course, as one report noted, perhaps they were just making dinner plans. Still, Canada's RDS television network reported the Lightning was "one of many teams in the mix."

That said, it was unclear if the talks really had any traction, but they apparently were instigated by Boston’s wish to move up in the draft. The Bruins first pick is No. 60. Their first-round pick (No. 29) went to the Stars in the Jaromir Jagr deal.

The Lightning has the No. 3 overall pick. There also have been plenty of rumblings Yzerman wouldn’t mind parting with left wing Ryan Malone. Tampa Bay also has a deep well of prospects at forward with which to deal.

Yzerman has said he feels no need to move up or down because of the high quality prospects available at the top of the draft. On the other hand, for a team looking to get faster and younger and add an immediate impact player, Seguin might be an attractive asset.

Seguin, 21, had 16 goals, 32 points and was plus-23 in 48 games last season. The No. 2 overall pick of 2010 has 56 goals, 121 points in 203 career games. But he is expensive with five years left on a six-year, $34.5 million contract that pays $5.5 million next season.

The Lightning, thanks to its buyout of Vinny Lecavalier’s contract, has about $9 million of salary cap space.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.30.2013

683087 Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL draft: Maple Leafs have plenty of possible picks at No. 21

By: Kevin McGran Sports reporter, Published on Sat Jun 29 2013

In the first round of Sunday’s NHL draft (TSN, 3 p.m.), the Maple Leafs pick 21st overall (barring a trade). Leafs GM Dave Nonis promises to take the best player available, regardless of position, in the first round. Here’s a look at some players who might be available at No. 21.

C Peter Lodge, Saginaw Spirit

Lodge is rated the 21st-best North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He had 28 goals and 39 assists in 64 games for the Spirit, a substantial jump from his rookie season (eight goals, four assists in 45 games). He represented the United States at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, getting two assists in four games. His parents moved from Pennsylvania to Toronto so he could play for the Toronto Titans of the GTHL.

C Bo Horvat, London Knights

Horvat, ranked 15th among North American skaters, scored a league-leading 16 goals in 21 games during the 2013 Ontario Hockey League playoffs, including the game-winning goal in Game 7 of the OHL championship with 0.1 seconds left in regulation. The six-foot, physical centre was named the most valuable player of the OHL playoffs. In 2012-13, Horvat had 33 goals and 28 assists in 67 regular-season games. He represented Canada at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka tournament with four points in five games for the gold-medal team.

C Max Domi, London Knights

Domi is the 19th-ranked skater in North America, according to NHL Central Scouting. His stock seems to be rising the closer we get to the draft. A slick playmaker, the five-foot-nine Domi led the Knights and finished second overall in playoff scoring with 32 points (11G, 21A) in 21 games. Domi also tied for eighth in regular-season scoring with 87 points (39G, 48A) in 64 games. He’s a Type 1 diabetic and celiac, which may scare a few teams. The Leafs drafted his father, Tie, 27th overall in 1988.

LW Kerby Rychel, Windsor Spitfires

Speaking of sons of former Leafs, Rychel is ranked 17th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Warren Rychel’s kid led the Spitfires by scoring 40 goals for the second consecutive season and finished in a tie for eighth in the OHL with 87 points in 68 games. Rychel won bronze with Team Canada at the 2012 under-18 world championship, tying for the team lead in goals (5), and won gold as an alternate captain at the 2011 Hlinka tournament.

F Frederik Gauthier, Rimouski Oceanic

Gauthier is ranked seventh among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, but one respected mock draft — by TSN — has him dropping down.

He ranked fourth among first-year players in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 60 points (22G, 28A) in 62 games during the 2012-13 season. He also led all first-year players in faceoff winning percentage (46.6 per cent). He helped Team Canada earn gold at the 2013 under-18 world championship with a goal and three assists in seven games. All three assists came during playoff games.