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Lightning Wraps 2026 Draft, Adds Three Prospects

6/28/2026

Summary

Lightning Drafts

Tampa Bay Lightning completed the 2026 NHL Draft by selecting Max Vilen (218th overall), Tomas Kralovic (90th), and Stepan Shurygin (186th).
Shurygin posted a 24-27-7 record with 1,704 saves and a .888 save percentage in 59 OHL games.
Kralovic recorded six goals, 31 points, 71 penalty minutes and a +17 rating in 52 games for HC Slovan Bratislava.
The Lightning’s 2026 Development Camp begins Monday, with the new draftees reporting.

Summary

Rangers Draft

The Rangers drafted nine players, emphasizing speed and high-ceiling skill rather than size.
Director John Lilley said the draft unexpectedly produced five left-handed defensemen, allowing later trades of surplus blueliners.
New York acquired forward Pavel Dorofeyev from Vegas and signed him to a large extension.
Goaltender Danai Shaiikov, a KHL Avangard product drafted in the CHL import, is praised for athleticism and seen as goaltender Igor Shesterkin’s heir.

History

Historical Context

On June 18 1992 the NHL held an expansion draft in Montreal to stock the new Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators. Tampa, guided by GM Phil Esposito, chose defense-first, picking Roman Hamrlik and building a roster that earned 53 points—more than the combined totals of the other 1992-93 expansion clubs. The franchise’s early reliance on international defense talent underpins its 2026 selections of Max Vilen, Tomas Kralovic and Danai Shaiikov.

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Lightning Drafts

Tampa Bay Lightning completed the 2026 NHL Draft by selecting Max Vilen (218th overall), Tomas Kralovic (90th), and Stepan Shurygin (186th).
Shurygin posted a 24-27-7 record with 1,704 saves and a .888 save percentage in 59 OHL games.
Kralovic recorded six goals, 31 points, 71 penalty minutes and a +17 rating in 52 games for HC Slovan Bratislava.
The Lightning’s 2026 Development Camp begins Monday, with the new draftees reporting.

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