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Comparing the Lightning Core to Ottawa’s Prospects

By Jack Baines

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 28: The Tampa Bay Lightning pose for their team photo with the Stanley Cup following the series-winning victory over the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on September 28, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 28: The Tampa Bay Lightning pose for their team photo with the Stanley Cup following the series-winning victory over the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on September 28, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Tampa Bay Lightning, Brayden Point (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning, Brayden Point (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Brayden Point

Acquired: Drafted 79th overall in 2014

Even more so than Kucherov, Point was overlooked in his draft year. For point, there were concerns about his size and if he could ever translate his eye-popping junior numbers to the NHL. Point proved the doubters wrong with 32 goals in his sophomore year and then 41 the year after. With captain Steven Stamkos out for almost the entire playoffs, Point more than capably took over the first-line centre role, notching 14 goals and 33 points while becoming a top Conn Smythe contender, only to lose to teammate Victor Hedman.

Comparable: Drake Batherson, Drafted 121st overall in 2017

Not only did Batherson have to wait until the 4th round to hear his name called in 2017, but this was actually his second year of eligibility for the draft after being passed over completely in 2016. Like Formenton and Kucherov, Batherson probably won’t end up matching Point’s lofty offensive numbers and with just two years between them he’s already lagging behind the Cup champion’s pace, but Batherson has the chance to develop into a top-line player after the Sens scooped him up in the middle rounds of the draft.

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