Between 1998 and 2004, the Tampa Bay Lightning drafted exactly two impact NHL players. They took them in the same year and even from the same team. Both would be key pieces in the only Stanley Cup win in Bolts franchise history. This summer, both players chose to retire after enjoying illustrious careers spanning more than 1,000 games in the NHL.
Now the question is whether or not they belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The numbers are curiously similar at first glance. Lecavalier played 1,212 regular season games and posted 949 points. Richards appeared in 1,126 contests—86 fewer games played—but finished almost as strongly in total scoring with 932 points.