Boom or Bust, Bolts 2013 Draft Review

[Jets GM]

Cole Cassels
Position: C
Drafted: 4th/96th overall
Potential: 2nd Line Centre to AHL Forward
2014 Destination: OHL
Report: Cassels's is the first in a long line of home run swings by the Lighting this draft. With no picks until the fourth round, the Lighting chose Cassels's with their first pick. A playmaker with good skating ability and faceoffs, Cassels's needs to develop his offensive game to go along with an already mature defensive awareness. He'll need to find another level in order to become a contributor at the NHL level.

Cole Ully
Position: LW
Drafted: 5th/122nd overall
Potential: Top Six Winger to AHL Forward
2014 Destination: Norfolk Admirals (AHL)
Report: Ully is unlike the typical Lightning player; small, with speed and soft hands. Teams shied away from Ully on draft day; Ully was projected to go in the 3rd to 4th rounds. However, Ully has quickly created a buzz around him at Lighting development camp. One scout was said to believe Ully will graduate straight to the pro ranks after impressing the Lightning brass.

Tim Bender
Position: D
Drafted: 5th/129th overall
Potential: NHL Defensemen/PP Specialist to AHL Defensemen
2014 Destination: EUR (Germany)
Report: Bender is an offensive minded d-men that has become a leader for Team Germany at international competitions. Whether his game will translate to the gritty North American style of hockey remains to be seen, he is undersized at 6'0 for a defensemen. Nevertheless, his skating ability and physical fitness is at an elite level. If he can shore up his defensive game, Bender has a shot to find himself a roster spot one day.

Nolan De Jong
Position: D
Drafted: 5th/150th overall
Potential: NHL Defensemen to AHL Depth
2014 Destination: WHL
Report: With the last selection of the 5th round, the "Jong Show" took it's talents to the Sunshine State. De Jong is a consistent two-way defensemen with average size. He has a shot to make a career in the NHL, but it's believed he'll need to elevate his game during the next year or two to show he has the skill set to be an real NHL contributor.

Alexander Mokshantsev
Position: LW
Drafted: 6th/164th overall
Potential: Bottom Six Forward to AHL Depth
2014 Destination: RUS
Report: Alexander "Mokha" Mokshantsev is one of the more peculiar prospects selected by the Lightning. Standing 6'1, Mokha has the physical game of a tested NHL veteran. However, the rest of his skills leave much to be desired. He's a born leader, surviving a tough upbringing in Russia. Whether Mokha makes a permanent trip out West will rest on his ability to control his emotions and lift the rest of his overall game to match his hitting attribute.

Connor Rankin
Position: LW
Drafted: 7th/194th overall
Potential: Top Six Forward to 13th Forward
2014 Destination: Norfolk (AHL)
Report: After the media had gone home and teams were packing up their belongings, Connor Rankin was selected 194th overall. While there was little hoopla or hope for the Lighting's last selection in the 2013 entry draft, someone forgot to tell Rankin. Sources are saying Ranking has been one of, if not thee, top prospect at Lightning camp so far. He's already earn a pro contract, and word is that he'll find himself in the AHL rather then on a flight home to his junior team. A hard shot, and the ability to develop physically means Rankin has a chance to be a real contributor at the NHL level.