My name is Matt Butler and I will be the official ChatSports writer for the Tampa Bay Lightning. For my first article, I thought it would be good to take a look back at the top ten Lightning players of all-time.
1. Vincent Lecavalier, C, 1998-Present
Lecavalier has been the face of the Lightning since being drafted first overall in 1998. He leads the franchise in games played (934), goals (351), and points (793). He was also a driving force behind the 2004 Lightning team that won the Stanley Cup.
2. Martin St. Louis, RW, 2000-Present
St. Louis is right on Lecavalier’s tail for best Lightning player of all time. He’s been the better weapon out of the two in the past few years and ranks second in games played (785), goals (294), points (758), plus/minus (+22), and is first in assists (464). The undersized right winger has won the Stanley Cup (2004), Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP), Art Ross Memorial Trophy (season points leader), and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (most gentlemanly player) twice.
3. Brad Richards, C, 2000-2008
Richards has been an outstanding player in his NHL career. A Cup winner in 2004, Conn Smyth winner (Playoff MVP) in 2004, Richards is a highly skilled forward with the ability to take over a game entirely.
4. Steven Stamkos, Center, 2008-Present
21-year-old Steven Stamkos may very well be the best player in the NHL right now. His shot is flat out incredible and his breakaway speed is unreal. Along with Martin St. Louis, the Lightning’s top line is the most feared around the entire league. In the past two seasons, Stamkos has 96 goals and 90 assists for a total of 186 points.
5. Nikolai Khabibulin, G, 2000-2004
Khabibulin was undoubtedly the best goalie ever to suit up for the Lightning. His play during the 2004 playoffs was something to marvel at. “The Bulin Wall” leads the franchise in just about every statistical category despite his short tenure.
6. Vinny Prospal, LW, 2001-2009
Prospal is a very solid contributor at the NHL level. Though he has since departed to Columbus, Prospal has the talent to contribute on any club’s top line.
7. Dan Boyle, D, 2001-2008
The highest scoring defenseman in Lightning history is Dan Boyle with 253 points in 394 games. Boyle was an offensive dynamo along Tampa’s blueline and was instrumental in bringing home the Cup in 2004.
8. Freddy Modin, LW, 1999-2006
Modin was a great sniper for the Lightning, contributing consistently during his 445 games for Tampa. He accumulated 145 goals and 286 points in those games.
9. Chris Gratton, C, 1993-1997, 1998-2000, 2007-09
In three separate stints in Tampa, Gratton has solidified his place among the toughest players ever to wear a Bolts uniform. He collected eight 100+ PIM seasons over his NHL career and has accumulated 1,638 total.
10. Pavel Kubina, D, 1997-2006, 2010-2011
Now back with the Lightning, Kubina is the franchise leading defenseman in games played (610), goals (69), and PIM’s (725). He’s been a stalwart on D in Tampa’s Stanley Cup win in 2004.
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