It’s hard to know exactly what you’re getting in any draft in any sport, but especially one in which you often wait years for a player to even reach the NHL.

With the 2019 NHL draft nearing (Friday and Saturday), we take a look at the Lightning’s draft history, selecting the five best and five worst picks over 26 years. First up, the good news …

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Best Lightning draft picks

Nikita Kucherov

Second round, 58th overall in 2011

The Lightning expected Kucherov to be good.