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Up Next: Vincent Lecavalier |
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History was made last Friday night at the Amalie Arena when Martin St. Louis became the first player to have his number retired in the 24-year history of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although there are various opinions about St. Louis and the way he left the organization, no one can argue the greatness he demonstrated on the ice and the impact he had on the franchise.
Now that there is one number up in the rafters at the Amalie Arena, we should expect at least one more to join it in the not so distant future. The Lightning will be celebrating 25 years as an NHL franchise next season and one would have to imagine that another jersey gets retired then.
To me, there truly is no debate as to whose number will hang next to number 26 above the ice next season. It has to be the former first-overall pick of the 1998 NHL Draft, Vincent Lecavalier.
For everything the Lightning accomplished while St. Louis played, including winning the Stanley Cup, none of that would have happened without Lecavalier on the bench as well. Lecavalier devoted 14 years to the Tampa Bay franchise, serving as one of the team's true difference makers throughout the entirety of his tenure.
In almost every Lightning career statistic that is not led by St. Louis, Lecavalier sits on top. He has played the most games for the Bolts (1037), scored the most goals (383), and is second in total points with 874.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a relatively new franchise in the National Hockey League, celebrating their 25th birthday next season. Their Mount Rushmore is in the process of being created as former players will begin to see their jerseys retired by the team they dedicated their lives to.
There is no denying that Vincent Lecavalier deserves the same honor Martin St. Louis received just a week ago and it should come next year.
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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