The Tampa Bay Lightning have had a historic offseason with the biggest move being Steven Stamkos leaving the Lightning to join the Nashville Predators as they look to improve on a successful first season under sophomore general manager Barry Trotz. For the first time in ten years, the Lightning are in search of a new captain to help lead the team to their third Stanley Cup in six seasons.
With Stamkos' departure, fans have speculated on who would wear the "C" coming into the 2024-25 season. While there is a clear front-runner for the captaincy, there's still a list of players who could bring the type of leadership that Stamkos brought to the team that led them to two Stanley Cups and four Stanley Cup finals during his time as captain.
1. Victor Hedman
Victor Hedman is the most obvious choice for the next captain of the Lightning. Not only is Hedman the longest-tenured member of the Lightning, but he's also the best defenseman in Lightning history. He was right by Stamkos' side as he evolved into one of the best captains in the league. With his time as an alternate captain and the fan's love for him since the day he was drafted, Hedman is the clearcut favorite to become the eleventh player in Lightning history to wear the "C".
If Hedman is chosen as captain, he'll become the seventeenth Swedish captain in NHL history as well as the second in Lightning history, joining Mikael Renberg who captained from 1997-1998.
2. Ryan McDonagh
Ryan McDonagh may not seem like an obvious choice for captain of the Lightning after just being traded back this offseason from the Nashville Predators, but with his experience as captain of the New York Rangers from 2014-2018, he gives the Lightning his experience as a former captain of an original six team, a feat that not many hold. On top of that, McDonagh played a key role in the Lightning's two cup wins in 2020 and 2021 and is arguably the most underrated defensive defenseman during his time in the league.
If McDonagh is named captain, he'll become the ninth active American captain in the league as well as the first-ever American captain in Lightning history.
3. Brayden Point
Brayden Point may not seem like a better option than current alternate captain Nikita Kucherov, but many Lightning fans agree that Point should be the future captain of the Lightning, whether that starts now or it starts after Hedman retires. With his playoff experience, having Stamkos as a mentor and teacher, as well as being right in his prime, Point would make for a great young captain who can lead the team for the next eight years. While Kucherov isn't a bad option as captain, he doesn't have the leadership skills that Point has and will produce over time.
If Point is named captain, he would become the only player to be drafted by the Lightning outside of the first round to be named captain.
Honorable Mentions:
Nikita Kucherov: While Nikita Kucherov could make for a good captain, many fans believe that he lacks the leadership that a captain like Hedman or Point could bring to the team. If Kucherov were to be named captain, he would be the first-ever Russian player to be captain of the team.
Brandon Hagel: Despite only being on the team for a little over two seasons, Brandon Hagel has proven to be not just a future star, but a future leader to this Lightning group. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Hagel wear the "A" within the next couple of seasons.
Jake Guentzel: With years of experience with Sidney Crosby as his captain, Jake Guentzel has learned a lot from arguably the best captain to ever play the game. Despite being the new guy in town, Guentzel can bring what he learned from Crosby and lead the Lightning to yet another Stanley Cup.
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