Lightning take defenseman Roman Schmidt with top pick

With no picks among the first 95 in this weekend’s NHL draft, the Lightning were more spectator than participant.

Having previously traded their first and second-round selections (as well as their fourth-round selection), their first pick didn’t come until No. 96 overall.

Nearly 3-1/2 hours into the draft’s second day Saturday, the Lightning made their first selection, drafting defenseman Roman Schmidt with the final pick of the third round.

Schmidt, 18, is listed at 6-feet-6, 209 pounds. He spent the past two years with the U.S. National Team developmental program. He committed to play at Boston University but will play the upcoming season with Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League.

Schmidt was ranked the 58th-best prospect among North American skaters by NHL central scouting, the 65th-best prospect by TSN’s Bob McKenzie and 85th by The Hockey News.

Despite their lack of early-round picks, the Lightning have drafted and developed treasures throughout the later rounds. Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli and Alex Killorn were third-rounders, Ross Colton and Mathieu Joseph were taken in the fourth, while Ondrej Palat was unearthed in the seventh.

The Lightning traded their first-round pick at the deadline in a three-team trade that brought veteran defenseman David Savard from Columbus. Because the Lightning were strapped by the salary cap, it cost them a first- and fourth-round selection to get Detroit and Columbus to take on most of Savard’s salary.

Tampa Bay traded its second-round pick during the 2020 draft to move up to select center Jack Finley 57th overall in the second round.

The Lightning’s fourth-round pick, traded to Detroit in the Savard deal, was used by Red Wings (and former Lightning) general manager Steve Yzerman to trade up to No. 38 in a swap with Vegas. The Red Wings used the pick to select defenseman Shai Buium.

The Lightning’s next pick comes in the fifth round (160th overall). They also choose at No. 192 in the sixth round and have three seventh-round selections (196, 211 and 224).

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