Cole Koepke is in a very interesting spot as he settles into #4 in our Top 25 Under 25. The only players above him are the bonafide NHLers, and those directly below him are either the ones close to the league or are young prospects with the most value. That makes Koepke “best of the rest,” a title the Lightning themselves are hoping he hits because there is an open job for the last forward spot in the lineup. We’re betting that he comes through.
The Player
Name: Cole Koepke
Position: Left Wing
Age: 24
2022-23 Team: Syracuse Crunch
Last Year’s Rank: #12
Readers’ Rank: #8
Writers’ Rank: #4
Final Rank: #4
Koepke was drafted in the sixth round in 2018 by the Lightning, and at the age of 24 is in his last year of eligibility in our list.