Sounds Like Stamkos for Tampa

The Tampa Bay Lightning had a 48.8-percent chance of winning the NHL Draft Lottery; yet given the year they've had, GM Jay Feaster told the St. Pete Times that there was "no way in hell" the Bolts would snag the top pick. Reverse psychology appears to work on Lady Luck, as the Lightning were announced tonight as owners of the top pick in the draft this June in Ottawa.

The prize of the draft class is Steve Stamkos from the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League -- a center whose two-way game has scouts drooling. Times beat writer Damian Cristodero quotes Dave Andreychuk, who represented Tampa Bay at the lottery and seems to indicate the Bolts are ready to make Stamkos the Malkin to Vinny's Sidney up the middle. It sure doesn't sound like Tampa is looking for a mini-Lindros deal to fill some of its considerable holes:

"As an organization we're very happy. We have a kid who is going to be a superstar. We're excited. We're really looking forward to that."

Check out more draft coverage from the NHL and more on Stamkos in our coverage of the phenom last year. TSN polled some scouts before the lottery and found Stamkos was still atop their draft boards; New York native and Peterborough Pete defenseman Zach Bogosian was No. 2. That pick belongs to the Los Angeles Kings; Rich Hammond of Inside the Kings is running a poll to see which player Kings fans would like to see taken second overall. Bogosian trails offensive defenseman Drew Doughty in the early voting.

UPDATE: Hammond has some late comments from Kings GM Dean Lombardi, who seems to be influenced by a certain franchise in Anaheim when it comes to building a champion with quality defensemen.