Tampa Bay Lightning Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore-named lists are one of, if not the biggest, crazes in all of sports conversations amongst fans and journalists alike. The Tampa Bay Lightning have had a massive amount of talent over the years, who would round out their Mount Rushmore?

Hockey fans are currently living through a Tampa Bay Lightning team that has achieved dynasty status.  They have delivered back-to-back Stanley Cups and boasting a top-5 player in the world at each position group.  Their history of fewer than 30 years has resulted in three Stanley Cup championships, four division championships, and a Presidents’ Trophy. This recent success begs the question. What current members of the Lightning would make it on a Mt. Rushmore 30 years into this franchise?

Early Years

The story of Martin St. Louis is one that General Managers dream of.  A true underdog during his time at only five feet, nine inches tall, St. Louis was often overlooked. Even with St. Louis excelling in college while playing for the University of Vermont, averaging over two points per game. Being a finalist for the Hobey Baker as college’s best player was also not impressive enough for teams in the NHL, apparently. St. Louis went undrafted out of college and was only offered a tryout by the Ottawa Senators. After earning 50 points in just 56 games for the Cleveland Lumberjacks, the Calgary Flames offered St. Louis his first contract. His stint in Calgary was not a long one, as his contract was eventually bought out, making him a free agent.

Rise To Stardom

After initially struggling in his first year in Tampa, St. Louis finished his first year strong, garnering 40 points in 78 games. This would be the year that springboarded his career, which saw him make six all-star games, two Art Ross Trophies as the NHL’s leading scorer, one Lester B. Pearson Award as the most outstanding player as chosen by his peers, one Hart Trophy as the MVP of the league, one Stanley Cup, and a berth into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Case For Mt. Rushmore

If all of the hardware earned above is not enough, here is more support for St. Louis’ bust to grace the Mt. Rushmore for the Lightning. According to hockey-reference.com, St. Louis is the all-time team leader in assists (588), points (953), goals created (352), game-winning goals (64), and total goals on-ice for (1332). His 33 playoff goals also rank him fifth in Lightning playoff history.  Martin St. Louis owns too many Lightning records to leave him off of Mt. Rushmore.

Early Years

Steven Stamkos did not experience the same barrier to entry that St. Louis went through when it came to the draft.  Selected first overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Stamkos was always expected to be a good player at the NHL level. In the 2006-2007 season, Stamkos had 92 points in just 63 games with the Sarnia Sting.  He bested that total the following year with 105 points in just 61 games. Stamkos’ ability to find the back of the net and facilitate would be skillsets that the Tampa Bay Lightning would welcome.

Rise To Stardom

It did not take long for Stamkos’s skills in the OHL to translate to the NHL. In his rookie campaign, Stamkos had 23 goals and 23 assists for 46 points. He followed that up the following year by leading the league in goals with 51. He would lead the league in goals a second time in 2011-2012, further cementing his place as a superstar. Up to this point in his career, he has won two Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies as the league’s leading scorer, been to eight all-star games, and has won two Stanley Cups, each while being the captain. He could very well add to his already impressive trophy case since he is still currently active.

The Case For Mt. Rushmore

Stamkos was named captain in 2014 and has led them to two Stanley Cups in his tenure. He leads the franchise in goals with 439 and even-strength goals, powerplay goals, and goals per game.   According to hockey reference, he creates 0.42 goals/game, which is also the top in franchise history. He will likely pass Martin St. Louis in game-winning goals, as he sits only two behind him. At 31 years old, if he finishes his career as a member of the Lightning, he could become the record holder in even more categories.

Early Years

Victor Hedman, similar to Stamkos, was drafted with high hopes at the top of the draft. His stellar career while playing juniors in Sweden was ranked amongst prospects going into the 2009 NHL draft. He ranked as the top-rated European player, as the only player he was looking up in the rankings was John Tavares. Hedman broke into the league right after being drafted, playing in 74 games. He was viewed as a rising star since breaking into the league and has fulfilled those projections since.

Rise To Stardom

After returning from the KHL after the NHL lockout in 2012-2013, Hedman broke out. His steady play was resulting in him being regarded as one of the best defensemen in the NHL.  In the 2016-2017 season, he was a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman. He would win the award in 2018 while also being a finalist in two of the next three seasons. Hedman has played in five all-star games in his career. At just 30 years of age, Hedman is in his prime and could add to his already stellar career.

The Case For Mt. Rushmore

Hedman has been a workhorse on the defensive corps, eating minutes against the opposition’s top players. This role was recognized while winning his second Stanley Cup as he was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2021 as the MVP of the playoffs. He is top 5 in franchise history in regular-season games played (816), assists (404), points (518), plus/minus (+121), and total goals on-ice for (1099).  His playoff totals rank him second in assists (69) and points (88) while averaging a franchise leading 25:03 minutes of ice time. It can be argued that Hedman has been the MVP on the Lightning over the last 10 years. As a result, Hedman’s face (and hopefully great playoff beard) would take the fourth and final spot on Mt. Rushmore.

Many great players have donned the Tampa Bay Lightning sweater over the franchise’s existence. The franchise has existed less than 30 years and has already been able to boast all-world players at their positions. That being said, there are only two other players that I strongly considered for a place on the top four of Lightning history. In order, those players are goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and Vincent Lecavalier. Vasilevskiy could find himself unseating one of the above players if he stays on his current trajectory. That was not lost on me, but as of now, he is second in most major statistical categories to Ben Bishop. At just 27, it would be more surprising if he did not end up surpassing the greats listed above than if he did. Regardless, the fact that all but one of the places consist of current players is a testament to just how great of a place this team is both currently and in the future.