One pick NHL.com apparently missed was the 3rd round selection of C Chris Lawrence [4] out of Sault Ste Marie of the OHL. At 6'4" 199 lbs. Lawrence is a riddle wrapped inside a mystery wrapped inside of an enigma. Even the misreporting of his selection on the NHL and Tampabaylightning.com site should tell you how much of a question mark this player is.
At 6'4" 199 lbs. Lawrence is a big player with great hands who enjoyed the privilege of playing on a line with Flyers phenom Jeff Carter much of the season. However, both Redline Report [5] and ISS [6] slam Lawrence's work ethic and intensity leave much to be desired.
Still, here is a player with a good sized frame who skates well and won the CHL Top Prospect's game shooting accuracy skill competition. [7] He also put up 11 goals and 51 points in 68 games last season to go with 57 penalty minutes. Part of the problem may be that Lawrence is a true center who was forced to play right wing for the center Jeff Carter. Whatever the excuse, it's clear Lawrence is a project who will have to be watched closely.
His selection makes me wonder though: If you are going to select a player like Lawrence, why did you pass on another alleged sufferer of lack of intensity in Stoa to take Mihalik?