Lightning select D Max Vilén with 218th overall pick in 2026 NHL Draft

With their final pick of the day, Tampa Bay adds a defenseman

2026 Draft Graphics _ Pick 218 _ Vilen _ 16x9
By Benjamin Pierce
TampaBayLightning.com

The Tampa Bay Lightning closed their 2026 NHL Draft by selecting defenseman Max Vilén with the 218th overall pick.

Tampa Bay’s seventh-round pick spent the 2025-26 season playing in the QMJHL, scoring three goals and 27 points in 54 games between the Saint John Sea Dogs and Moncton Wildcats.

The 19-year-old left-shooting defender from Hammarlöv, Sweden racked up 25 penalty minutes and was plus-2.

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