Brayden Point: Prospect Profile for Tampa Bay Lightning's 3rd-Round Pick

Player: Brayden Point

Drafted By: Tampa Bay Lightning (79th overall)

Position: Center

Final Central Scouting Ranking: No. 31 North American skater

Height/Weight: 5'10", 160 lbs

DOB: March 13, 1996 (18 years old)

Most Recent Affiliation: WHL, Moose Jaw Warriors

Background

Brayden Point is a fast-skating and elusive forward who has proven that he can put the puck in the net on a consistent basis. When it comes to scoring and putting points on the board, Point is one of the most productive junior players in this draft. He has scored 148 points over the last two seasons and is a good leader who was named an assistant captain for Canada at last year's Under-18 World Championships.

Full Scouting Report

While Point has a small frame, he is the kind of player who shows his determination every time he steps on the ice. He is going to find a way to make a play and is not going to back off when confronted with a bigger defender.

At 160 pounds, he is not going to win every battle. Point knows that, and he is going to use his speed and moves to get the job done the majority of the time. However, he is not afraid to go into the dirty areas if he is going to retrieve the puck or pick up a chance to score a goal.

Overall, Point has excellent offensive skills, and he should be able to score at key moments when he can work himself into the productive areas between the circles. He has a quick and dangerous shot. 

NHL Central scouting director Dan Marr likes the fire that Point brings to the ice. "What makes him stand out is that he's one of those guys who won't be denied," Marr said. "He has that competitive factor where he can go out there, make a difference and make it at a quick pace."

NHL Player Comparison

Put another 20 pounds on Point, and he will remind you of Phoenix Coyotes center Mike Ribeiro. Like Ribeiro, Point appears to be overmatched when confronted with bigger players. However, he is not going to let size differential stop him.

Point is smart, clever and shifty, and those are all characteristics that Ribeiro has used to become an effective NHL scorer. Ribeiro has twice exceeded a point-per-game pace in his NHL career.

NHL Timetable

Give Point at least two more years of development before he reaches the NHL. He can sharpen his skills while bulking up and getting stronger. No matter how quick and agile a player is, he's going to get hit by powerful guys in the NHL. Point needs to build his body up in order to take such hits.

Top-End Potential

He is a smart and creative player, so there's no reason to think that Point can't carve out a niche for himself in the NHL. He might be able to make a name for himself on the power play because he is quick, shifty and smart. He's a solid passer who could be a second-line center at some point in his career.