Predicting The 2024 Tampa Bay Lightning Draft Class

The NHL draft is almost here! And in honor of that, why not join the mock draft mania to guess who might be joining the Tampa Bay Lightning?

The Lightning do not have a pick early, but will have five picks in this year’s draft (picks #128, #149, #181, #195 and #206). We will be picking a player who can be selected in each draft slot. This will based on the NHL’s prospect rankings. 

Pick #128: Caeden Herrington

Position: Defenseman
Current team: Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
Rank: 120th
Age: 18
Height: 6’2” 
Weight: 189   

A University of Vermont commit, Herrington has been described as a promising young defenseman who is great at limiting available space and a great shot creator. In 16 USHL games, he put up 1 goal and three assists. He also recorded 7 goals and 42 assists in 29 games in his final high school season.

Pick #149: Brendan McMorrow

Position: Left Wing
Current team: University of Denver (NCAA)
Rank: 147th
Age: 18
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 175

One of Denver’s newest signings, McMorrow has been praised for his ability to pass the puck, his ability to set up one-timers, his ability to create possessions and his speed. In his final USHL season, he had 16 points in 27 games. He also played for the US National U18 team, with which he recorded 22 points in 61 games. 

Pick #181: Nathan Free

Position: Right Wing
Current team: Penn State (NCAA)
Rank: 185th
Age: 17
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 153

A young kid with a lot of time left to truly develop his game, Free has been described as a player who uses his smaller size to his advantage. He’s fast and known to be a playmaker. He will start playing for Penn State next season. This past year he played in the BCHL and he recorded 10 goals and 11 assists in 20 games.

Pick #195: Connor MacPherson

Position: Right Wing
Current team: University Of New Hampshire (NCAA)
Rank: 195th
Age: 19
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 173

MacPherson’s strengths are reportedly his shot, his one-timer, his speed, his forechecking and puck retrieval. Before signing with New Hampshire, he put up 42 points in 54 games in the BCHL. 

Pick #206: Seth Fryer

Position: Defenseman  
Current team: Victoria Royals (WHL)
Rank: 206th
Age: 17
Height: 6’6” 
Weight: 197

Fryer has been praised by scouts for his passing, his ability to handle forecheckers, his speed and his ability to trick defenders with constant fake-shot-into-a-pass plays. He played in 57 games for the Royals last season and he put up seven points.