The 1 Word That Best Describes Each of Tampa Bay Lightning's Top Stars

Each of the Tampa Bay Lightning superstars have their own distinct personality and playing style that can be adequately described using just one word. The Bolts have a well-rounded group of stars who bring a different facet to the game.

This year’s team can be summarized in one word—deep—as the Lightning are loaded with talented players to fill every spot on the roster. Within each locker room is a complex mix of personalities; here are the Lightning’s top stars described in one word.

Martin St. Louis

Strong

Martin St. Louis is the perfect embodiment of the word “strong.” Everything from his workouts to his performance on the ice displays strength. Hockey itself is a game of total body strength, and St. Louis has that down. 

Featured in this year’s Body Shot Edition of ESPN Magazine, St. Louis shows off years of hard work and perseverance. At 37, he was still able to log nearly 22 minutes (21:59) of time on ice last season. 

He even led the league in scoring last season to add another Art Ross Trophy to his already strong career.

Steven Stamkos

Precision

Steven Stamkos is a man of precision. At 23, he is one of the most prolific scorers in the game, using his renowned one-timer to find the smallest of spaces. In five seasons, Stamkos has already recorded a 60- and 50-goal season.

Coaches and players around the league give high praise for the Lightning’s top center. Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma even called Stamkos the league’s best sniper and compared him to Sidney Crosby, as noted by NHL correspondent Chris Adamski. His precision makes him worth the price of admission every night.

Victor Hedman

Smooth

Anyone that has seen Victor Hedman play knows that he is one of the smoothest skaters on the ice—even at 6’6” and 230 pounds. Hedman’s scouting report from The Hockey News prior to the 2009 NHL draft says enough about his smooth style of play.

Hedman is also improving on the offensive end and has been known to score a slick goal here and there. He logs a ton of minutes (22:39 per game last season) and will only get better with experience.

Teddy Purcell

Overlooked

Teddy Purcell is one of the more overlooked pieces on the Lightning roster. Since becoming a full-time player for the Lightning in 2010, Purcell has managed 152 points and a plus-13 rating.

Even Purcell’s story is one that is often overlooked. He played just one year of college hockey at the University of Maine before being picked up by the Los Angeles Kings after the 2007 draft.

He spent his first four seasons as a part-time player before earning a full-time job with the Lightning. With Stamkos, St. Louis and formerly Vincent Lecavalier getting a lot of talk, Purcell was often overlooked, but he has the game to come out of the shadows.

Matt Carle

Unproven 

Matt Carle was one of the big offseason pickups in 2012 snagging a six-year, $33 million contract. An eight-year veteran, Carle has yet to prove he deserves his contract with the Lightning. 

However, it seems like the second season with a new team is his best year. Carle’s career started in San Jose. In his second year, he put up 42 points after a six-point year as a rookie. A few years later he went to Philadelphia, and his second full season with the Flyers (2010-11) was another 40-point year. 

This upcoming campaign is the second full season for Carle in Tampa Bay. This might be the time that Carle proves his worth to the Bolts.