Tampa Bay Lightning: The Organization's 'Franchise Four'

The Tampa Bay Lightning organization has had many great players wear the team’s uniform. Which players would be apart of the “Franchise Four”?

Mount Rushmore, located in Pennington County, South Dakota is one of America’s most popular tourist attractions. The beautiful carvings on the side of the mountain brings in an average of over two million people to the area annually.

The granite carvings help symbolize over 130 years of American history, and the four faces that were carved into the mountainside represent some of the countries greatest presidents and leaders that helped make the United States of America the greatest country in the world.

Though the Tampa Bay Lightning organization has not been around for 130 years like Mount Rushmore (23 to be exact) there have been many great players that have proudly worn the teams sweater during their careers and helped grow Lightning hockey into what it is today.

However, the Mount Rushmore of Tampa Bay Lightning hockey must include only the greatest players in team history, and just like the four men carved into the Mountain in South Dakota, each must have played a significant role in building the franchise to its current state.

Now, the franchise four will be made up of current and former players that were with the organization during their playing career. This means that founder and NHL Hall of Fame inductee Phil Esposito would not be apart of this list. However, I think we all would agree in saying that Espo is probably the most important person in the organization due to his ability to win over former NHL President Gil Stein and bring NHL hockey to Tampa Bay.

With that said, let’s start from the very beginning; all the way back in the year 1992 when the franchise was born. Let’s be honest, most of the organization’s greatest players did not start with the team until after the year 2000, but that does not mean we can not give some of the organization’s top players from the 1990’s a shout out as well.

We begin with the teams first draft selection in the 1992 NHL draft, Roman Hamrlik, who was selected with the first overall pick of that years draft. He spent six seasons with the team before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers. “The Hammer,” as many liked to call him due to the tremendous impact he made when hitting opponents into the boards, played just under 400 games in Tampa Bay while tallying 185 points.

He was the teams power play quarterback and one of the organization’s first star players. Though he will not crack the team’s franchise four, Hamrlik was a solid player for the team and will always be remembered as the organization’s first ever draft selection.

The team’s first star netminder Daren Puppa should also be given some recognition for what he did in the mid to late 1990’s. After being selected by the team in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft, Puppa helped lead the Lightning to their first ever trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the 1995-96 season.

Unfortunately, due to his chronic back issues, Puppa would only play 50 more games with the team following that historic season in 1995-96. He finished his career in Tampa Bay with a 2.68 GAA and .905 SV% and ranks as the second best goaltender in team history behind only Stanley Cup winning goalie Nikolai Khabibulin.

Moving on to the first overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Vincent Lecavalier is undoubtedly one of the best players to ever play with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Since the day he was drafted, Lecavalier showed the potential of becoming one of the leagues best players. Vinny played in 1100 games with the organization scoring 446 goals and 926 points while in Tampa Bay (including playoffs).

A two-time captain, Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner, and Stanley Cup Champion, Lecavalier had a fantastic 15-year run with the team before being bought out from the rest of his 11-year, $85 million dollar and signing with the Philadelphia Flyers. As much as he did for the team on the ice, he also made a huge impact off the ice with his charity work.

If you ever find yourself at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida make your way up to the seventh floor. There you will find the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.

Crazy thing is most of the children being treated on that floor probably have no idea who Vinny Lecavalier is, but it is because of the millions of dollars that he contributed and continues to contribute to the effort that these kids have the chance to one day beat their disease and live happy, healthy lives. Even though he does not play for the Lightning anymore, he is still dedicated to his charity work in the Tampa area.

One spot down, three left to go in the organization’s franchise four. How about another player from the 1998 class? Brad Richards was selected in the third round of the 1998 entry draft with the suggestion to management from his former junior hockey teammate and close friend Vinny Lecavalier. He was one of the key pieces to the team’s success in the early 2000’s.

Dec 5, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; New York Rangers center

Brad Richards

(19) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Richards began his NHL career with the Bolts during the 2000-2001 season and quickly showed off the offensive skill that made him one of the most feared scorers in the QMJHL.

He did not score under 50 points in each of his seven seasons with the team, but what fans will most remember him for would be his play during the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Richards would be one of the key pieces in the teams run to a Stanley Cup championship. He scored 26 points in 23 games and brought home the Conn Smythe Trophy as the leagues playoff MVP. Though Richards was traded to the Dallas Stars in a blockbuster trade a few years later, there is no doubt he was one of the best offensive players ever to put on a Lightning sweater. Is he worthy of a spot in the Lightning franchise four? Well, that all depends of what you think of the next potential candidate on the list.

Another key piece to the 2004 Stanley Cup winning team was goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. Thanks to a contract dispute with the Phoenix (now Arizona) Coyotes, the Russian goaltender was shipped of to Tampa Bay for three players and a second round pick. After signing with the team before the 2001-02 season, Khabibulin quickly re-emerged as one of the leagues premier goaltenders.

“The Bulin Wall” was the first goaltender from Russia to ever win the Stanley Cup when he helped the Lightning defeat the Calgary Flames in seven games. Khabibulin was outstanding during the team’s playoff run posting a 1.71 GAA and .933 SV% to go along with five shutouts.

Would you include Nikolai Khabibulin in the group of the best players ever to put on a Lightning sweater? It’s hard to say due to the amount of competition he has for only four spots. Top ten? No doubt. Top 4? I think Richards just beats him out along with the two names I am about to mention.

Martin St. Louis is arguably the best player to ever play for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was an amazing player on the ice and has helped so many of the players that he skated along side that the effects are still felt today.

Nov 25, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Martin St. Louis (26) against the New York Rangers during the second period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Marty’s legacy in Tampa Bay began when he was signed by the team after being released from the Calgary Flames just before the 2000 season. Things did not go the way he planned at first, but when he took the ice to start the 2001-02 season, he began to turn the corner and show he could play in the league at a high level.

He will always be remembered for his ability to put the puck in the net, but Marty always did the little things right that made him stand out to fans and teammates. He was always in the weight room trying to get stronger, always battling in the corner for pucks and coming away with it more times than not, and had a strong influence in the locker room that made teammate respect and enjoy playing with him.

Now, we all know how his time in Tampa Bay ended, but Marty St. Louis undoubtedly finds a spot in the teams franchise four. Over his 15-years with the organization, Marty brought 110% effort to the ice every night and helped but Tampa Bay Lightning hockey on the map. Bringing home an Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, and Stanley Cup don’t hurt either, but there is no doubt Marty St. Louis is one of the franchises’ all-time great players.

Moving on to one of the teams current superstars, forward and current captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning Steven Stamkos has already found himself as one of the organization’s greatest players. The organization had finished last in the entire league at the conclusion of the 2007-08 season, and earned the first overall selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The team selected Stamkos hoping he would become the next face of the franchise. Their wish certainly did come true.

Mar 13, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center

Steven Stamkos

(91) looks on against the Florida Panthers during the first period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Known as one of the leagues most feared scorers, the two-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard winner has become one of the faces of the National Hockey League. His ability to score at such a high rate makes him fun to watch. His signature one-timer from the left circle continues to give opposing goaltender’s nightmares.

Although he is known for his ability to put the puck in the net, Stamkos prides himself on being able to be more than just a one-way player. He has always been able to score, but as the team’s first line center his responsibilities in the defensive zone are also important.

Stamkos has also increased his role as a leader in the dressing room over the last couple of seasons, and was named the tenth captain in franchise history after the team traded Marty St. Louis to the New York Rangers.

Though he is only seven years into his NHL career, Steven Stamkos is still one of the greatest players to ever wear a Lightning uniform. With 276 goal scored, Stamkos already ranks third all-time for the team lead in that category. He will be in a Lightning sweater for many years to come, and will do everything in his power to lead the team to its second Stanley Cup championship.

Well, there you have it. Your Tampa Bay Lightning franchise four will consist of Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. Four forwards that have helped grow the Tampa Bay Lightning organization into what is today. Four players that have made a lasting impression on both the city of Tampa and the National Hockey League. Your Mount Rushmore of Tampa Bay Lightning hockey, ladies and gentlemen.

Who would you include in your franchise four? Would you include former goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin? Maybe former defenseman Dan Boyle cracks your list? Let us know in the comments below.

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