Name: Max Vilen
Drafted: Seventh Round, 218th overall
Bio: 19-years-old, left shot, Hammarlov, Sweden, 6’3″, 209 lbs.
Position: Defenseman
2025-26 Team: Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
With their final pick of the draft, the Lightning went back to the overage market and drafted the soon-to-be 20-year-old Max Vilen from Moncton. In his third trip through the draft process, the Swedish defender finally found a home with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
A big guy with decent mobility, Vilen tracks more as a potential offensive defender than a shut-down one. He moves well up the ice and has the instincts needed to set up forwards with his passes. While the thought process is there, too many times the execution isn’t. Still, there is a lot to like about a 6’3″ blueliner that can get the puck from his end of the ice through the neutral zone.
Due to his age, he could be one of the first players from the Lightning’s 2026 draft class to turn professional as it could come this spring once Moncton’s season is over. The Wildcats had a good postseason last year and Vilen was a big part, putting up 12 points (3 goals, 9 assists) in 21 games from the blueline.
While he has the skating ability to carry the puck out of his own zone, there are some concerns about the quickness of his feet in his own zone. Being able to move laterally against smaller, quicker forwards has been an issue in front of the net and on puck retrievals.
The skills are there for him to be a solid depth piece, but he will really have to level up his game to be a regular in the NHL.