Bolts by the Bay
Fansided

Top five free-agent signings in Lightning history

By Henry Yoho

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 5: Anton Stralman #6 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is congratulated on his goal Pittsburgh Penguins by teammates, including Tyler Johnson #9 and Alex Killorn #17 during the first period at the Amalie Arena on February 5, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 5: Anton Stralman #6 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is congratulated on his goal Pittsburgh Penguins by teammates, including Tyler Johnson #9 and Alex Killorn #17 during the first period at the Amalie Arena on February 5, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JUNE 9: Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Dave Andreychuk holds up the NHL Stanley Cup trophy during a victory parade June 9, 2004 in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning beat the Calgary Flames in Game 7 for the championship. (Photo by Chris Livingston/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JUNE 9: Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Dave Andreychuk holds up the NHL Stanley Cup trophy during a victory parade June 9, 2004 in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning beat the Calgary Flames in Game 7 for the championship. (Photo by Chris Livingston/Getty Images) /

Dave Andreychuk accumulated a Hall of Fame resume before coming to Tampa Bay. All that was missing was a Stanley Cup. After bouncing around with several cup contenders, Andreychuk would land in Tampa in 2001. The move came as a bit of a surprise as the Lightning were not yet considered contenders, but the signing would pay off in the long run for Andreychuk and the Lightning.

Andreychuk provided an invaluable veteran presence on a young Lightning team from the get-go. In his second season with the club, Andreychuk was named the captain as the team would make an unexpected leap forward and win the first playoff series in franchise history in 2003.

Andreychuk would go down as the NHL’s all-time leader in powerplay goals, but his greatest feat came in 2004. Andreychuk contributed his third straight 20 goal season with the Lightning in a year that saw him win the franchises’ first Stanley Cup. Andreychuk hoisted the cup first as the Lightning captain after his 22 years in the NHL. His long wait to raise Lorde Stanley is tied for the longest wait in NHL history.

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