OTTAWA — Steven Stamkos has never been to Tampa Bay. That's very likely to change soon and, boy, will hockey fans know who the 18-year-old from Toronto is.

Barring a knock-your-socks off trade, which is unlikely, Stamkos will be selected by the Lightning with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft on Friday night. It's a decision general manager Jay Feaster refers to as "idiot proof," while noting he already has the player penciled as the team's second-line center next season.

So sure have the Lightning been they'll select the NHL Central Scouting's top-ranked prospect that the team has already unveiled a marketing campaign, titled, "Seen Stamkos," which has included billboards, posters and even a Web site devoted to the player.

"That was pretty funny, one of my buddies showed me that site," Stamkos said Thursday. "It's a great honor that they think so highly of me. And hopefully everything works out and I end up in Tampa."

That's the plan, which Feaster refers to as "the worst-kept secret," while adding: "I think he's special. I don't think they come around all that often."

Listed at just under 6 feet and 176 pounds, Stamkos is a skilled two-way player with exceptional speed, who produced 197 points (100 goals, 97 assists) in 124 games with Sarnia of the Ontario Hockey League over two seasons.

Central Scouting director E.J. McGuire compares the 18-year-old to a young Joe Sakic.

"He's far and away the guy who will play next year in the league," McGuire said. "He'll be exciting. And he'll fulfill the prophecy that he'll bring people out of the seats."

What happens after the Lightning pick, though, is anyone's guess, as trade rumors have dominated the days leading up to the two-day draft in Ottawa.

Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi said it's 50-50 as to whether he'll keep or trade the No. 2 pick.

Atlanta has the No. 3 selection, which GM Don Waddell intends to keep to land one of several highly touted prospect defensemen. St. Louis picks fourth, followed by the New York Islanders.

One reason for all the speculation is in part due to numerous teams eager to move into the top 10 to get a chance at a draft class considered by NHL Central Scouting officials to be among the deepest in recent memory.