Tampa Bay’s abundance of smaller, talented forwards doesn’t look to be running out any time soon. Nikita Kucherov (5’11â€) also entered that conversation last season, racking up 29 goals and 65 points in his second NHL campaign.
But there’s one other potential member of this elite group that has yet to enter the NHL fray.
Brayden Point — who was drafted by the Lightning in the third round (79th overall) in the 2014 Entry Draft – has been making waves this offseason due to his performance at Hockey Canada’s recent Summer Showcase.
The 5’10†Point joined 39 other Canadian hopefuls at the camp as all vied for a spot on Canada’s 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship squad.
Point made quite an impact. While all eyes were on recent top-five draft picks Dylan Strome and Mitchell Marner, it was Point who reigned as the offensive king, racking up eight points (three goals, five assists) in only two games. His total was twice as much as the next highest scorer at the camp, and his three goals tied Strome for the most of any participant as well — and Point played one less game than Strome.
So super excited about him, but it would really help im to go to the AHL this year.. To bad he isn't allowed to, he has not that much to prove in junors anymore.
Watched him tonight.
He scored 4 goals (1 en) 1 assist.
Guy is amazing.
In 16 games he's scored 17 games. He has a lot of skill and to be honest he plays big. I could tell he was a bit shorter but that wasn't stopping him from going to the net.
Just an amazing October by him
Not a Tampa fan but I thought I'd mention this guy looks sick and I see him as a future nhler
O and he wins faceoffs well.
Highlights of the game for those interested.
I'll also chime in as a neutral fan. Point has been one of my favorite WHL players since he first came onto the scene as a 15 year old. In the Warriors playoff run (and sadly, Point's only WHL playoff run), Point put up 10 points in 14 games. He played a real catalyst that playoffs, and caught my eye. Even though he was 15, it was clear that Point was a very special player. The fact that he kept standing out, even though I was scouting other players always sticks with me. After that, I knew there was a special player in the league.
I always thought in his draft year he should have been a 1st round pick. But teams have such a worry about size. However point is such a talented player. He's a spark plug out there who can score. He's also so strong at both ends of the ice, a real leader out there. He's also one of the best centers on the dot in the league. Now when I watch him, with a stronger supporting class, it's clear he's become one of the best players in the league. I think he'll be either the Captain, or alternate captain for Canada at the WJ too. He'll make a name for himself there, I'm sure of it.
Exciting prospect you guys have.
“Obviously not the biggest guy, but he plays the game the right way,” Stamkos said. “He’s got a lot of poise and a lot of skill, from the brief time that we saw him in exhibition games. I think he’s a guy who can look up to a guy like (5-foot-9) Tyler Johnson and see the success that he’s been able to have at this level, and he’s a going to be good player.”
High praise.
And then there’s this …
“I would even go as far as to say he’s probably a lot better than I was at that age,” said the 25-year-old Johnson, an undersized centre who was never drafted despite putting up impressive numbers with the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs.
“His feet are always moving. His hands are moving. He’s working for his teammates, and that’s a thing that is really tough to learn when you’re younger. So for him to already have that, I think that says a lot about his character and how much he’s driven to be a great player. And he obviously has the tools and the skills to be able to achieve it.”
Can he replace stamkos ?
Once Cally comes back who else can we send down?
Won't have to send anyone down. Cally is not on the IR. With the way Vladdy and Brown have been under performing, can always rotate them in the press box while Point keeps a spot.
I would love to see a line of Point - Flip - Callahan. Would be good for everyone on that line, Cally and Flip will have a guy who can actually finish and make plays, and Point will learn a strong two way defensive game skating with those two. Vladdy has just not been strong enough this season so far.
Won't have to send anyone down. Cally is not on the IR. With the way Vladdy and Brown have been under performing, can always rotate them in the press box while Point keeps a spot.
I would love to see a line of Point - Flip - Callahan. Would be good for everyone on that line, Cally and Flip will have a guy who can actually finish and make plays, and Point will learn a strong two way defensive game skating with those two. Vladdy has just not been strong enough this season so far.
I'll give you Vladdy, but a JT Brown at his career best was still less productive than an injured Ryan Callahan at his worst last season. Just sayin. Right now the only players that Cally will not replace are Flip and Boyle, everyone else is up in the air right now, and I do hope Point stays. Right now Brown or Vladdy may be the ones to sit if they continue on this path.