Tampa Bay Lightning Top Ten Players of the Decade

The Tampa Bay Lightning had their most successful decade in franchise history, qualifying for the post-season four times and raising the Stanley Cup in 2004.

As a perpetually bad team, Tampa Bay has had some quality players come through its doors, players that eventually turned a laughingstock into a champion.

These are the best players of the 2000s to wear the crest of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

10. Fredrik Modin, LW, 1999-2006

As the Lightning looked to turn around a moribund franchise, the hulking Swede, Fredrik Modin, was a big part of the transformation.

Joining Tampa Bay via a trade, Modin's potent and powerful slapshot became the sole source of scoring for many of the Bolts first few seasons of the 2000s.

Scoring 20 or more goals in four of his six seasons in Tampa Bay, Modin remains one of the most prolific goal scorers in Lightning history.

Modin's tenure with Tampa Bay ended in 2006, when he was traded to Columbus for Marc Denis.

9. Ruslan Fedotenko, LW, 2002-'07

Acquired in a controversial trade for the Lightning's first overall draft choice, Ruslan Fedotenko became one of the key contributors to the Lightning's Stanley Cup winning team.

You could always count on Feds for 15 to 16 goals a season, but Fedotenko will best be remembered for scoring the only two goals in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, giving the Bolts the scoring they needed to pull off the victory.

Fedotenko scored 12 goals during that playoff run.

8. Steven Stamkos, C, 2008-Present

While Pittsburgh may have "The Next One", Tampa Bay's version of the next generation is epitomized in Steven Stamkos.

After being drafted 1st overall in the 2008 Entry Draft, Stamkos took a little while to adjust to playing with grown men, only managing a handful of goals in his first fifty games.

Once the light came on for the youngster, goal lights everywhere began to follow. He finished with 23 goals in his rookie campaign and in just 36 games this season, already has 21 goals.

Today, Stamkos' speed, hands, and vicious shot sends fear into opposing goalies.

7. Vaclav (Vinny) Prospal, Fwd, 2001-03, 2005-08, 2008-09

Vincent Lecavalier's favorite linemate, Vaclav (Vinny) Prospal was a member of the Lightning's MVP line(Marty, Vinny, Prospal).

A prolific point producer, Prospal topped 70 points twice in his scattered stints with the Lightning.

6. Dan Boyle, Def, 2002-08

Acquired in the middle of the 2001 season from the rival Florida Panthers, Dan Boyle wasn't thought to be much of a defenseman.

That was until the Lightning made Boyle the point of their powerplay.

Boyle blossomed into the most prolific scoring defensemen in Lightning history, scoring 50 or more points in three of his six seasons in Tampa Bay.

Boyle was traded away in a controversial deal that saw two defensive prospects come to the Lightning in an obvious salary dumping deal.

The Boyle trade, along with other deals, would lead to a fractured relationship between the franchise and Stanley Cup winning coach John Tortorella, ultimately resulting in his dismissal.

5. Dave Andreychuk, LW, 2001-06

When the Lightning acquired Dave Andreychuk during free agency in 2001, they had no idea that they had just acquired a player who would change the culture of losing in Tampa Bay.

Suddenly, the players were held accountable for their play. There was renewed respect for the team crest and no one walked over that crest in the Tampa Bay locker room.

It was Andreychuk's leadership that became invaluable during the Lightning's rise to Stanley Cup champions.

The future Hall-of-Famer also contributed with his tenacious play in front of opposing nets, pitching in secondary scoring, contributing 20 plus goals a season his first three years in Tampa Bay.

4. Brad Richards, C, 2000-08

Acquired in the 3rd round of the "Vinny Draft", Brad Richards burst onto the scene, stealing the spotlight from the more heralded Lecavalier early in their respective careers.

Richards scored at least 60 points in each season he played in Tampa Bay, with his zenith of 91 points in 2005.

Richards was a force in the post season as well, winning the Conn Smythe trophy for most valuable player in the playoffs during the 2004 cup run.

Richards was dealt away in a controversial deadline deal that brought Tampa Bay netminder Mike Smith and Forward Jeff Halpern.

3. Nikolai Khabibulin, G, 2001-04

Acquired late in the 2000 season, the "Bulin Wall" set the standard for goaltending in Tampa Bay.

Khabibulin won 24 of Tampa Bay's 27 victories in 2001 and would be the backbone of a Lightning team that made the playoffs two consecutive years, culminating in a 2004 Stanley Cup.

Khabibulin remains tops in the franchise for victories, shutouts, save percentage, and goals against average.

2. Martin St. Louis, RW, 2000-Present

After washing out in Calgary, scoring only four goals, Martin St. Louis was signed by Tampa Bay after a try out and invited to camp.

Little did the Lightning know that they had just acquired one of the greatest players in franchise history.

Mighty Mouse Marty was placed on a top line and suddenly showed a scoring touch, scoring 18 goals in his first season and 16 in his second before getting injured in the middle of the year.

St. Louis came back with a force, topping 30 goals four times in five years, including leading the NHL in points in 2003.

St. Louis has been to five NHL All-star games, won the Hart Trophy (League MVP), Pearson Award (MVP chosen by the NHLPA), and the Art Ross trophy (most points scored).

1. Vincent Lecavalier, C, 1998-Present

When he was drafted by the Lightning first overall in the 1998 Entry Draft, Vincent Lecavalier was called "The Michael Jordan of Hockey" by the country bumpkin owner of the team, Art Williams (who promptly sold the club a year later).

With the pressure of hopes and aspirations of franchise riding on his shoulders, Lecavalier hasn't disappointed.

Vinny has scored 20 or more goals in nine straight seasons, with his career best 52 coming in 2006.

Vinny holds the team record for games played, goals, assists, points, powerplay goals and game winning goals.

The face of the franchise, Vincent Lecavalier may be slowing down a bit after a Hall-of-Fame caliber career, but he remains one of the best players in the world and the greatest Lightning player of the decade.