The Tampa Bay Lightning have convinced another prospect to join the organization, signing Dmitry Semykin to a three-year entry-level contract. Semykin has spent the last three seasons in Russia’s MHL with the SKA St. Petersburg organization.
Semykin, 20, was nabbed by the Lightning at the end of the third round of the 2018 draft, but was actually ranked as the 25th-best international skater by NHL Central Scouting. While he never did make it all the way up to the KHL, the Lightning have obviously seen enough development to reward him with an NHL contract.
The 6’2″ defenseman had 24 points in 44 MHL games this season and brings a history of physicality and toughness to the organization as well. You can bet he’ll start in the minor leagues and try to continue to develop, but there are few organizations with as strong of a track record in the middle or late rounds.