ESPN.com names Jonathan Drouin and Andrei Vasilevskiy top prospects

Sep 19, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin (27) protects the puck from Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson (52) at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-USA TODAY Sports

The future of the Tampa Bay Lightning sure is bright.

ESPN.com’s Corey Pronman has released his top 100 prospects and it’s topped by the Lightning’s 2013 first round choice Jonathan Drouin of the Halifax Mooseheads.

Here’s what Pronman had to say about Drouin:

"“After the Lightning elected to not keep him on the NHL roster for 2013-14, Drouin had another elite season in the QMJHL, torching the league in terms of point production. He led the QMJHL playoffs in points (41 in 16 games) despite Halifax not advancing to the final round. His skill level and hockey sense are both off the charts, he’s a very elusive skater and he has the ability to create a scoring chance at will. When you combine all of his offensive elements (all of which are high-end), Drouin is the clear best forward prospect outside the NHL. He converted to center this season, showing pretty effective play in the defensive zone, which was previously a weakness. With a good summer from a physical development standpoint, he should be a player to watch for next year’s Calder Trophy.”"

Drouin is expected to be on the Lightning’s opening night roster when the season gets underway on October 9. Over the last two seasons with the Moose, Drouin has accumulated 213 points in just 95 games.

Drouin wasn’t the only Lightning skater in Pronman’s top 100. Vladislav Namestikov (no.65), Adam Erne (no.70), Slater Koekkoek (no.80) and Brayden Point (no.87) were also named.

Vasilevskiy has played the last two seasons in the KHL with Salavat. However, he signed an entry-level contract to come to North America earlier this year and is expected to play for the Lightning’s AHL affiliate Syracuse this upcoming season.

Pronman, who listed Vasilevskiy as his number one goalie prospect, had this to say about the Russian.

"“I’m not exaggerating when I say this: Vasilevskiy is one of the best goalie prospects of the past 20 years. He’s a special player who has excelled if not dominated at just about every level and major event he’s participated in during the past five years, including the KHL playoffs. Vasilevskiy has good size — 6-foot-3, 201 pounds — elite athleticism, and a high hockey IQ and technical refinement you don’t typically see in a goalie of his age (20).”"