Fansided

Tampa Bay Lightning Name Steven Stamkos as New Captain

By Tasha St. Pierre

Oct 26, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) passes the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) passes the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 26, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) passes the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) passes the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

When one era comes to an end, a new one must begin. So is the story in Tampa Bay tonight. Now that former captain Martin St. Louis has made his departure for the New York Rangers, the Lightning is left in need of new leadership. Just before the Lightning took the ice tonight to go head-to-head with the Buffalo Sabres, the organization announced that center Steven Stamkos would be the new captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This makes Stamkos the 10th captain in Tampa Bay Lightning franchise history.

Before being sidelined on November 11th with a fractured tibia incurred while the Lightning faced off with the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden in Boston, the Lightning center was on track to lead the NHL in all things scoring. In 17 games, he had already scored 14 goals and 9 assists for a total of 23 points to accompany a plus-11 rating.

Here is a look at Stamkos as he leads the rest of the team down the tunnel and onto the ice tonight with the new letter on his jersey.

This will mark the beginning of a new era in Tampa Bay. If Stamkos can pick back up right where he left off, there is a good chance that we will see the Bolts in the post season this year.

What do you think of the Lightning’s decision to name Steven Stamkos as their new captain? What kind of impact do you think Stamkos’ return is going to have on the team? Sound off in the comments below and let us know what you think.

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