Chris Lawrence

One pick NHL.com apparently missed was the 3rd round selection of C Chris Lawrence 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 and ISS 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. 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?