Lightning gamble on Kulebiakin: a Russian winger for the long haul
Tampa Bay moved up in the second round to land a 73-point QMJHL scorer bound for UMass, betting on upside over immediate need.
The Tampa Bay Lightning traded up in the second round of the 2026 NHL Draft, sending picks 58 and 133 to the Edmonton Oilers to land the 52nd overall selection, which they used on Russian winger Oleg Kulebiakin of the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads. Kulebiakin, an 18-year-old St. Petersburg native, posted 29 goals and 44 assists for 73 points in 64 games last season, tying for 17th in QMJHL scoring.
