Fansided

Martin St. Louis retires, leaves behind amazing career

By Matt Verderame

Mar 2, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Martin St. Louis (26) controls the puck against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Lightning 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Martin St. Louis (26) controls the puck against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Lightning 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis (26) comes down on an empty Winnipeg net during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Tampa Bay wins 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis (26) comes down on an empty Winnipeg net during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Tampa Bay wins 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /

With Tampa Bay, the pieces around St. Louis were initially minimal with the notable exception of Vincent LeCavalier. The duo became one of the most potent in NHL history, with LeCavalier racking up 411 goals and 931 points in his ongoing career. Watching them play represented the perfect contrast. LeCavalier was a big, rugged forward who wasn’t shy about dropping the gloves, famously fighting former Flames captain Jarome Iginla in the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. Meanwhile, St. Louis would dart around undetected, only to finish the play with a beautiful shot from the circle.

After notching 18 and 16 goals respectively in his first two seasons in Tampa Bay, St. Louis exploded onto the scene in 2002-03, scoring 33 goals and totaling 70 points. The Lightning were able to reach the second round of the playoffs before losing to the eventual Stanley Cup-champion New Jersey Devils in five games. The season would prove as a springboard for both St. Louis and the Lightning.

In 2004, St. Louis amassed 38 goals and 94 points, helping Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup Final where it faced the diminutive forward’s former team, Calgary. In the final, St. Louis led the charge along with LeCavalier and forward Brad Richards, beating the Flames at the Saddledome in Game 6 with an overtime goal before clinching the Cup on home ice in Game 7. For the playoffs, St. Louis scored 24 points in 23 games.

Throughout his 12+ seasons with Tampa Bay, St. Louis scored at least 25 goals 10 times while eclipsing 80 points on six occasions. He was the model of consistency throughout a decade before being dealt at the 2014 trade deadline to the New York Rangers as part of the Ryan Callahan deal.

St. Louis provided veteran leadership and a much-needed offensive spark in the postseason, scoring 15 points in 25 games before the Rangers were eliminated in the Final against the Los Angeles Kings.

Ultimately, St. Louis’ career ended with a solid 2014-15 campaign featuring 21 goals and 51 points, along with a +12 rating. However, by the time the playoffs rolled around, the 40-year-old had endured enough. His fresh legs and sharp shot were gone, resulting in one goal through 19 games.

Next: The legacy

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