Really impressive how the franchise turned around after Vinik bought the team and Yzerman was brought in. I hope all Lightning fans feel very lucky because the amount of success they had in a relatively short period is more than many franchises ever get to experience. Still something left in the tank too.
It’s not all luck. Living in a state with no income-tax, in a city that is world-renowned,especially for cold-weather natives. Tampa has just got it all man.
@@Hockeistguyalive We sit in the middle of the worlds Amusement park central, and several world renowned beaches. We have direct flights to three different European cities. I said what I meant
As someone who lives in Tampa and goes to games at the Ice Palace (I refuse to call it anything else), yes the games are sell out games, and there’s usually a couple hundred people outside in Thunder Alley during every home game, and some more just down the street at Armature Works. There are more “Go Bolts” banners on buildings and businesses throughout Tampa than Buccaneers banners. Because of Vinik and the success of the team, we have opened up more ice hockey rinks in the Tampa Bay Area than there was 10-15 years ago, and even some parks have opened outdoor floor hockey/roller hockey rinks, and we actually have high school ice hockey teams, and the University of South Florida (USF) and University of Tampa (UT) both have ice hockey teams. When my family moved here in 1994, you were lucky to find any hockey arena or programs. To say the impact the Lightning have had on area is enormous is an understatement.
Even despite the lost this year, they now have been to 5 cup finals and still won the majority of them which puts them in the upper tier of Franchises with the New Jersey Devils who also have the same record in the finals.
Its insane how good the lightning have been since 2015. I was in middle school when they’re played the blackhawks. Now im almost finished up with college. What a crazy run it has been
@@masonwright7700 yeah, after breaking Tyler Johnson's hand on a slash - and Ben Bishop tearing his groin. Even with their top 2 players being a shell of themselves it went 6.
@@masonwright7700 yeah, that's what happens when the other team breaks the hand of your best goal scorer - and your all-world goalie is playing with a torn groin. Obviously Bishop's injury isn't on the Blackhawks, but the slash was. In any case that was the same Lightning core that went on to win the cup in back to back years, and make three straight cup appearances years later. Also, just so you know, stupid, a decade is 10-years. Just to clear that up for you.
@@scrotumscratcher2474 I'm with you though lol, they have an amazing core and the best goalie in the world. They should be competitive team for a while to come.
As usual, Palat gets no respect. Even if he’s gone next season, surely he’s contributed enough to get #18 retired. Also, #21, how ya leave that off the list?
Im a big Lightning fan from Florida, I've watched 90% of regular season games and every single playoff game since 2014. I was lucky enough to be at game 5 of the finals last year and man, it was all I could ask for. That cup, that year, and that squad will be my most cherished hockey memory for the rest of my life probably. Im gonna be some old fart in like 2065 at the game staring up at the rafters during warmups like I served in a war
Thank you for acknowledging how exceptionally challenging the bubble playoffs were. It's frustrating to see so many say it's not a real cup, even though the situation all teams in the playoffs were put in added to the difficulty of the run.
So every time the Lightning made the playoffs from 2011 on they at least make it to the conference final except for the presidents cup season sweep. 11,15,16,18,20,21,22. That is pretty sick.
We also got swept by Montreal in 2014. Bishop did a belly-flop and injured himself right before the playoffs started. We would've lost that one with Bishop, but it wouldn't have been nearly as bad.
This run tampa is on is very patriotesque and there's something very Belichick-ian about jon cooper... you don't always win the championship, but the more you knock on the door the better your chances are to win it.. the main pieces and the recipe is there, it's just a matter of filling in the roster with role players... Tampa is set up for another couple years of serious cup contention and I would expect nothing less
THIS. Games 2 and 3 were blowout wins for each team, you can cancel those out. Every other game was a 1 goal game and 2 of those went to OT (both won by the Avs) Lightning were right there step for step with the Avs and if the Lightning got just a few breaks/bounces it could’ve easily been Lightning in 6. I do think the Avs were the better team with that being said
Tampa was dumb to let it go to ot. You can't go to ot when you're a defensive team against an ULTRA offensive team. The hockey gods shake their heads at that
They should stay an NHL powerhouse too for the foreseeable future. Tampa is a free agent destination because of geography as well as a huge tax advantage for these players. Not that they can afford big FAs over the next few years, but after the Stamkos/Kuch/Vasy/Hedman/Point era officially ends years down the road. As long as they keep drafting and developing talent the way they do, they may never need to dip into the FA market.
For the "1st Goal" by Kontos you forgot to mention he scored 4 that night. I was there and the small barn (Expo Hall) with around 11,000 seats at the state fairgrounds was rocking.
Bolts fan since the beginning in 1992. There are two eras of the TBL, "Pre-Vinik Era" and "Vinik Era". People are ignorant when they think it's just the beneficial tax situation that has made a difference. The real factors: the ownership of Vinik, great GMs and drafting (thank you Stevie Y!), strong farm system, consistency behind the bench, Stammer wearing the C, a generational goalie in Vasy who has been incredibly durable, and a true CORE of players who have been together the past 5 years (Stammer, Vasy, Heddy, Killer, Palat, Kuch, McDonagh, Point, Cirelli, Gourde, TJ & Sergi). I realize some have been in longer or left last year, but that group is still mostly in-tact. They lost Goody, Coleman, Gourde and TJ this year and STILL fell only 2 wins shy of a 3-peat. As other have commented, I fully agree that we are a lucky fan base. The Lightning franchise is arguably the best in NHL and all of North American sports. It's been a heck of a ride since 2015. If Tyler Johnson doesn't break his wrist in the 2015 playoffs, the Bolts might have 4 cups instead of 3 because that Triplets line was amazing! In regards to Hockey Guy's comment about the age of The Ice Palace (AKA Amalie Arena), I would love for him to visit Tampa next season and come to a game! The arena is top-noth and Vinik has spent $$$ making sure it is a great place to watch a hockey game. Eventually it will need to be replaced, but not any time soon.
2 Cups, 4 Finals, 6 Conference Finals in 8 years. Simply amazing. I don't know when or if we will see so many long runs in playoffs again in short period of time or even what was the last time a team did so well? Oilers in 80s?
The last 2 similar runs would have to be the early 2010s Blackhawks with 3 cups, 3 finals, and 5 conference finals in 7 years and the 90s Red Wings with 3 cups, 4 finals and 5 conference finals in 8 years. So ya some pretty elite company
@@RIPJimmyA7X Oh yes, thanks for that. I've just listened to Julien Brisebois press conference and he said that since 1967 only for teams played in 4 Finals in 8 years, Canadiens in 70s, Islanders and Oilers in 80s and Red Wings coached by Bowman in 90s/00s. That's incredible, especially for a franchise that hasn't played 30th season yet.
@@kapo2012fb if I recall, every team had the same opportunity to win the so called "pandemic cups". How bad was every other team then, if they couldn't even win those *Cups?
The Lightning played in two other venues before Amalie Arena. They started in the Expo Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds, then they played in the Thunderdome (Which is currently Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays), then they got the Ice Palace/Amalie Arena.
NJ Devils fan here. Upon the creation of The Lightning, The Devils beat the pulp out of them every single time they played, home or away, for years upon years. In 1995 coming off the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals overtime game 7 loss to NYR , NJ was floundering & was bottom middle of the road at best midway through the lockout shortened season. I was front row for the first game Tampa Bay ever beat NJ & it was in the Meadowlands. I literally ran into Mike Peluso leaving the building right after gametime who was completely dejected. Yet as upset as was he took the time to say hello to me & my friends. He signed autographs and told us how he saw us during warm-ups & during the game going crazy. Next game was a road game in Boston, and out of the blue 4th liner Mike Peluso came out wearing the "A" on his jersey that next day. Whatever happened in the locker room after that Tampa loss galvanized the entire NJ team & from that loss forward they pulled together , snuck into the playoffs , then totally dominated enroute to their first Stanley Cup Championship. I have always said, that if NJ hadn't lost that home game to the then lowly Lightning , that 1995 Cup run might as well never have happened. I never forgot that & then later on to see former Devil Dave Andreychuk raise the Cup as the Lightning Captain sure brought a smile to my face.
Awards History : Art Ross: Martin St. Louis (2004/2013) + Nikita Kucherov (2019) Bill Masterton: John Cullen (1999) Calder: None Conn Smythe: Brad Richards (2004) + Victor Hedman (2020) + Andrei Vasilevskiy (2021) Frank J. Selke: None Hart Memorial: Martin St. Louis (2004) + Nikita Kucherov (2019) Jack Adams: John Tortorella (2004) James Norris: Victor Hedman (2018) King Clancy Memorial: Vincent Lecavalier (2008) Lady Bing: Brad Richards (2004) + Martin St. Louis (2010/2011/2013) Lester B. Pearson/Ted Lindsay: Martin St. Louis (2004) + Nikita Kucherov (2019) Maurice "Rocket" Richard: Vincent Lecavalier (2007) + Steven Stamkos (2010/2012) Vezina: Andrei Vasilevskiy (2019) William M. Jennings: None
My family have been fans since the beginning. My uncle still has his ticket from the game against the Blackhawks and I have a picture from when I was three meeting Dave Anderchuck
I feel that this roster has 1 more cup win left in them, especially after the loss to the Avalanche. They just need some more speed on the wing and a faster defender to replace Bogosian The Tampa Bay Lightning will be back
Hey THG, does the Bolts has to win next years Stanley to be consider officially a dynasty? For me this team has been dominating the NHL since 2015/2016 and with the last 3 yrs alone should be a no brainer.. what’s your thoughts?
You need to win 3 cups to be a dynasty. I don't really agree it has to be next year, but if they made the final again, and lost, then the following year won it, then that's 5 final appearances in a row and that's a dynasty. But they need one more in the very near future. Otherwise they're just a great team, short of the all-time elite however.
Hey Shannon, I'd love if you did a team history on some historical teams, whether they've went defunct or relocated. It'd be cool to see some deep dives into why some older teams moved ( i.e. the original jets ) or some of the more significant early teams such as the Montreal Maroons.
“I’d be a liar to say I wasn’t using this for publicity,” Esposito said at the time. “But I don’t care if she is a woman. If there were a horse with skates and it could stop a puck, I’d put it in there.”
Great video Shannon. One (minor) thing that would have made the video a little better: On the All Time Leaders list, you should have put an asterisks next to active players, so that we would know which numbers have a chance of going up.
You should have posted that they are the only NHL team to have a female goaltender. She only played preseason and then was sent down and yes, it was probably a publicity stunt. But she played in the NHL.
“I’d be a liar to say I wasn’t using this for publicity,” Esposito said at the time. “But I don’t care if she is a woman. If there were a horse with skates and it could stop a puck, I’d put it in there.”
Thank you, Shannon, for not being like the trolls who try to discredit TB’s Cup win in 2020. Like you, I believe it was harder to win that Cup than under normal circumstances. Where I disagree with you, I consider TBL - or at least their core - a dynasty already. An unmatched 7-year run in the cap era. If not a dynasty, then the best team/core in the salary cap era. Their accomplishments and success since 2015 is the best 5- to 10-year run in the cap era.
@@88Oleksiy the team changed very little from 2019-2020. The two cup winning teams was 95% Yzerman dna. The 4 straight losses to Columbus was not the fault of a GM but the players and coaching not adjusting to Tort’s powerful forechecking strategy.
We have had some bad years too. 4 seasons of 50 plus losses. I hope we get a 3rd cup in 5 or 6 years to match Blackhawks. Even if they don't, they should still be considered a dynasty
I want to agree, but I think 3 is a dynasty honestly. The team can still compete for another 1-2 years realistically, so we'll see if they can pull it off.
@@Wayf4rer eh 3 finals In a row is enough. Especially when you figure out the bolts pushed the avs to 6 with a nearly broken team (injuries) and the fact that they played 4 different 50 win teams. Without point as well. Also they can still win next year and still earn their “dynasty” title. But let’s be frank they are everything but called a dynasty rn. Also helps that’s their cores locked up for 5 more years give or take a few contacts ending sooner then others
@@Wayf4rer those dynasty standards were established when there was no salary cap. Look at what Tampa has accomplished since the cap was in place. The only other team that comes close is the Penguins. They have back-to-back, but they have only won a single round since then.
@@denegra I know I know, I guess I'm just kind of a purist in that sense. For me the established criteria is 3 within a period of six years given that's what Chicago was able to do.
Despite the loss I still couldn't be prouder of our Bolts! Other than the game 2 loss (which was 100% due to the altitude) they battled hard every game and only lost by slim margins despite going up against a highly skilled, younger, and better rested team.
@Victor Vigna That's so funny! So I was born in CO and have family there but grew up in and still live in Tampa. I'm also big into hiking and backpacking and yes, after a bit I also 100% feel the altitude there whenever I visit. It can actually get pretty bad even though I'm in decent shape.
@@masonwright7700 Quit being hyper-sensitive. I didn't make excuses simply stated facts. No b****ing about the officiating or some other non-sense. And none of it is to say the Avs really suck and we would have won if blah blah blah. At the end of the day we were outplayed and beaten by a highly skilled, younger, and better rested team. If you think that's making excuses and worth griping at over the internet you need get away from your keyboard and get some fresh air.
@@masonwright7700 quit being insensitive. You’re showing your intelligence if you don’t think altitude affects breathing. It’s almost as if you don’t even know what affects your body. I recommend going to school more often.
I think it's because Columbus gets a lot of unearned hate from the NHL community. "They lost to who!?" Disrespectful beyond belief. Columbus had an amazing roster that year.
I don't think they get back next year with all the wear and tear over the last three runs. I wouldn't mind if they saved some picks next year instead of going 'all in' and then got set for another run for a fresher team in 2023-2024.
They really dont need much to be back either, just speed in the depth department. -Keep Palat for 1-2 more years -Resign Nick Paul -Acquire a fast winger -Replace Bogosian with a younger, faster defencemen Drops: Killorn, Bogosian
@@XDarkBrotherhoodHD I fully agree with the breakdown you have. Bogosians great but we need more speed as you’ve said and by god killorn shit the bed this year. Toss them both resign Paul and palat and get an extra d man for cheap that wants to be part of a dynasty.
@@scrotumscratcher2474 it wouldn’t be that difficult to offer players we need low contracts with a “dynasty clause”. Also dropping Killorn and Bogosian would get us 5.1 million in cap space, we might not even need depth on Defence if Cal Foote is ready to hold the spot
Who’s to say they don’t at least win one more with this crew to. Vasy had a weaker season by his standards, and simply put right now there might not be a more pissed team in hockey then the Lightning. The east is full of young teams and most likely Colorado awaits any challengers yet Tampa could do it. I just want to see Nick Paul get a ring, that would be nice.
they just didnt have enough on their depth to beat the avs, losing point didnt help either and they were struggling without him. he's been the reason why they won 2 cups. i mean he's been the biggest impact player that tampa ever had and he's a 7th round pick. talent doesnt always come from the top 5.
In my mind TB was a pretty boring team early on, I remember I liked Puppa's name a lot. It was pretty exciting when TB drafted Vinny and of course, Khabby was quite an attraction the 04 cup run. Speaking of 04, I believe TB fans see a lot of Fedotenko in Avs Nichushkin who came up big in important games deep into their respectively runs. I got a lot of good memories following Vasilevskiy, Hedman and Stamkos from juniors all the way up til today. It's not a team I cheer for in general but has a lot of players I do like. After a decade this rich will play-off appearances it's easy to rule TB out if next year doesn't go well. My question is how long Stamkos and Hedman can be top performers and have TB found any hidden Palats, Points, Kucherovs in the draft the past 2-3 years so they can miraculously recover from the inevitable aging and loss of players they will eventually have? I think replacing Hedman in a few years will be the toughest challenge. I don't expect them to be back in the finals next year, I think playing so many play-off games over 3 years (going back 7-8 years for many of them) will take it's toll. I can only see them go far if Vasilevskiy turn on the cheat codes like he did vs NYI in 2021 and never let go of a single game. It's a lot to ask.
I agree. Leafs fans Including myself are waiting for way too long since their last Stanley Cup win. Leafs will win the Stanley Cup next year, fair and square
leafs miss the playoffs by 2points, matthews leaves that off season. Toronto slowly moves back into the basement over the next 4years, will check back come may 2023
Ok Lucas .... what the hell are you smoking.... Dubas has put the Leafs into a salary cap hell.. the big 4 eating over 40% of the cap ... no starting goaltender and let's not forget about Mrazek ... if they make it past round 1 Leaf fans will be dancing in the streets ... but winning the Cup ... not a chance
I do not consider the 2 cup victories as true Cup wins and both need asterix on them.. the first one was in a bubble and was far from normal and the 2nd one was covid effective.. Where most teams were tested for covid and sat out players because TB was in Florida they were never tested and Bettman stepped in when they went to cities requiring tests...so not a true back to back no matter how you look at it....
I guarantee that if your favorite team had won, your opinion would be completely different. Go cry to your politicians if your mad about testing protocols costing your hockey team success. RIDICULOUS!
What a dumb comment, you realize that what Tampa did was during the time of the salary cap right? During a time that you have to win 16 games to take the championship compared to the early days with a much smaller group of teams. Tampa's GM had to juggle expansion and free agency, things pre-cap GM's could just throw $ at.
@@thebikewatcher9819 did not cost my team as we missed the playoffs this year just that there should have been no way they got away without testing..some teams when they played Florida and TB back to back were hit hard with covid cause Florida is ran by an idiot... the league rules need to be uniform throughout the league.
@@schumdav and yes they used a loophole to allow Kutherov and Stamcs to sit out the whole season and then all of a sudden when playoffs came around they slipped them in as no salary cap in playoffs..I know it was legal just not fair...and when they tried to close this loophole Bettman and owners would not close it...
Ondrej Palat is the very definition of a steal of a pick. Unreal how late he was drafted and how good he is. Insane scouting.
Really impressive how the franchise turned around after Vinik bought the team and Yzerman was brought in. I hope all Lightning fans feel very lucky because the amount of success they had in a relatively short period is more than many franchises ever get to experience. Still something left in the tank too.
It’s not all luck.
Living in a state with no income-tax, in a city that is world-renowned,especially for cold-weather natives.
Tampa has just got it all man.
@@congresssux9766 world renowned …. 😆 You need to see more of the world bud.
@@Hockeistguyalive
We sit in the middle of the worlds Amusement park central, and several world renowned beaches.
We have direct flights to three different European cities.
I said what I meant
@@congresssux9766 couldn't have said it better myself
Florida trash
miami the only lit place... lame asses live on the west coast of Florida.. like Tampa lame as hell
As someone who lives in Tampa and goes to games at the Ice Palace (I refuse to call it anything else), yes the games are sell out games, and there’s usually a couple hundred people outside in Thunder Alley during every home game, and some more just down the street at Armature Works. There are more “Go Bolts” banners on buildings and businesses throughout Tampa than Buccaneers banners. Because of Vinik and the success of the team, we have opened up more ice hockey rinks in the Tampa Bay Area than there was 10-15 years ago, and even some parks have opened outdoor floor hockey/roller hockey rinks, and we actually have high school ice hockey teams, and the University of South Florida (USF) and University of Tampa (UT) both have ice hockey teams. When my family moved here in 1994, you were lucky to find any hockey arena or programs. To say the impact the Lightning have had on area is enormous is an understatement.
Even despite the lost this year, they now have been to 5 cup finals and still won the majority of them which puts them in the upper tier of Franchises with the New Jersey Devils who also have the same record in the finals.
Lightning is the best southern team in nfl history Atleast 21st century
@@ArgentineFootballfan1978 *nhl
@@ArgentineFootballfan1978 for now. Carolina Hurricanes are coming, and are 1-1 in SCF without this roster being a factor
Its insane how good the lightning have been since 2015. I was in middle school when they’re played the blackhawks. Now im almost finished up with college. What a crazy run it has been
Blackhawks beat them in 6 too
@@masonwright7700 yeah, after breaking Tyler Johnson's hand on a slash - and Ben Bishop tearing his groin. Even with their top 2 players being a shell of themselves it went 6.
@@rodmunch69 stop making excuses
@@rodmunch69 you got shutout on Chicago's home ice to win the cup lmao
@@masonwright7700 yeah, that's what happens when the other team breaks the hand of your best goal scorer - and your all-world goalie is playing with a torn groin. Obviously Bishop's injury isn't on the Blackhawks, but the slash was. In any case that was the same Lightning core that went on to win the cup in back to back years, and make three straight cup appearances years later. Also, just so you know, stupid, a decade is 10-years. Just to clear that up for you.
Safe to say there will likely never be another player who will wear the #91, #86, #88, or #77 for Tampa Bay ever again.
With this batch and this run, they're likely going to lose a good handful of numbers to the rafters.
@@scrotumscratcher2474 I think they're saying that the core will get their numbers retired, not that they won't stay together or remain competitive.
@@Kmartsmart didnt really notice that lmao. ill just delete it
@@scrotumscratcher2474 I'm with you though lol, they have an amazing core and the best goalie in the world. They should be competitive team for a while to come.
As usual, Palat gets no respect. Even if he’s gone next season, surely he’s contributed enough to get #18 retired.
Also, #21, how ya leave that off the list?
Im a big Lightning fan from Florida, I've watched 90% of regular season games and every single playoff game since 2014. I was lucky enough to be at game 5 of the finals last year and man, it was all I could ask for. That cup, that year, and that squad will be my most cherished hockey memory for the rest of my life probably. Im gonna be some old fart in like 2065 at the game staring up at the rafters during warmups like I served in a war
So you're a bandwagon rider in other words.
I’ll be there with you if I make it to 2065 lmao
Probably the best franchise in the Nhl for the last 7-10 years.
2 Cups, 4 Finals, 6 Conference Finals in 8 years ... and they're only 'probably' the best team in that time? Wow, way to take a stand Mr Hot Take.
@@rodmunch69 you can’t speak in absolutes on the internet. There will be someone who says “yeah, but”..
@@ogreman-lll-957 grow a spine.
@@rodmunch69 I try to avoid arguing with people that are willfully ignorant on youtube.
@@ogreman-lll-957 Chicago was. 3 cups last decade
Thank you for acknowledging how exceptionally challenging the bubble playoffs were. It's frustrating to see so many say it's not a real cup, even though the situation all teams in the playoffs were put in added to the difficulty of the run.
Great run by an outstanding group of guys! Can't wait for next season!⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
So every time the Lightning made the playoffs from 2011 on they at least make it to the conference final except for the presidents cup season sweep. 11,15,16,18,20,21,22. That is pretty sick.
We also got swept by Montreal in 2014. Bishop did a belly-flop and injured himself right before the playoffs started. We would've lost that one with Bishop, but it wouldn't have been nearly as bad.
This run tampa is on is very patriotesque and there's something very Belichick-ian about jon cooper... you don't always win the championship, but the more you knock on the door the better your chances are to win it.. the main pieces and the recipe is there, it's just a matter of filling in the roster with role players... Tampa is set up for another couple years of serious cup contention and I would expect nothing less
STOP IT DUDE
Psycho Vasi: I AM THE SYSTEM!
@@kapo2012fb typical NYC hater 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
Bolts fan here been religiously watching your channel the last several years
Dynasty. Legendary.
Two OT losses were the difference. Those go the lighting ways and it’s a 3rd cup. Far from decisive by Aves.
THIS. Games 2 and 3 were blowout wins for each team, you can cancel those out. Every other game was a 1 goal game and 2 of those went to OT (both won by the Avs) Lightning were right there step for step with the Avs and if the Lightning got just a few breaks/bounces it could’ve easily been Lightning in 6. I do think the Avs were the better team with that being said
Tampa was dumb to let it go to ot. You can't go to ot when you're a defensive team against an ULTRA offensive team. The hockey gods shake their heads at that
Can’t ask for a more successful 1992 expansion franchise. You have to think more success is on the way as well.
while you have Kuch, stamkos,Hedman and Vasilevsky this team can easily come back and win it next year
They should stay an NHL powerhouse too for the foreseeable future. Tampa is a free agent destination because of geography as well as a huge tax advantage for these players. Not that they can afford big FAs over the next few years, but after the Stamkos/Kuch/Vasy/Hedman/Point era officially ends years down the road. As long as they keep drafting and developing talent the way they do, they may never need to dip into the FA market.
For the "1st Goal" by Kontos you forgot to mention he scored 4 that night. I was there and the small barn (Expo Hall) with around 11,000 seats at the state fairgrounds was rocking.
That record still stands to this day. MSL tied it in a 5-4 loss to SJ IIRC. Felt so bad for him that day.
8:30 The Tampa Bay Times and St Pete Times had the naming rights for a bit too
Bolts fan since the beginning in 1992. There are two eras of the TBL, "Pre-Vinik Era" and "Vinik Era". People are ignorant when they think it's just the beneficial tax situation that has made a difference. The real factors: the ownership of Vinik, great GMs and drafting (thank you Stevie Y!), strong farm system, consistency behind the bench, Stammer wearing the C, a generational goalie in Vasy who has been incredibly durable, and a true CORE of players who have been together the past 5 years (Stammer, Vasy, Heddy, Killer, Palat, Kuch, McDonagh, Point, Cirelli, Gourde, TJ & Sergi). I realize some have been in longer or left last year, but that group is still mostly in-tact. They lost Goody, Coleman, Gourde and TJ this year and STILL fell only 2 wins shy of a 3-peat.
As other have commented, I fully agree that we are a lucky fan base. The Lightning franchise is arguably the best in NHL and all of North American sports. It's been a heck of a ride since 2015. If Tyler Johnson doesn't break his wrist in the 2015 playoffs, the Bolts might have 4 cups instead of 3 because that Triplets line was amazing!
In regards to Hockey Guy's comment about the age of The Ice Palace (AKA Amalie Arena), I would love for him to visit Tampa next season and come to a game! The arena is top-noth and Vinik has spent $$$ making sure it is a great place to watch a hockey game. Eventually it will need to be replaced, but not any time soon.
Chicago was the better team in 2015 and won 3 cups recently
@@masonwright7700 Chicago was a more experienced team in 2015. The lightning were a young developing team then.
@@flipandtwist2944 and Chicago won. Deal with it. You can't say Chicago wasn't the better team.
2 Cups, 4 Finals, 6 Conference Finals in 8 years. Simply amazing. I don't know when or if we will see so many long runs in playoffs again in short period of time or even what was the last time a team did so well? Oilers in 80s?
The last 2 similar runs would have to be the early 2010s Blackhawks with 3 cups, 3 finals, and 5 conference finals in 7 years and the 90s Red Wings with 3 cups, 4 finals and 5 conference finals in 8 years. So ya some pretty elite company
2 pandemic championship
@@RIPJimmyA7X Oh yes, thanks for that. I've just listened to Julien Brisebois press conference and he said that since 1967 only for teams played in 4 Finals in 8 years, Canadiens in 70s, Islanders and Oilers in 80s and Red Wings coached by Bowman in 90s/00s. That's incredible, especially for a franchise that hasn't played 30th season yet.
@@kapo2012fb if I recall, every team had the same opportunity to win the so called "pandemic cups". How bad was every other team then, if they couldn't even win those *Cups?
@@thebikewatcher9819 it is what it is bro... they didn't even play a full season either
The Lightning played in two other venues before Amalie Arena. They started in the Expo Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds, then they played in the Thunderdome (Which is currently Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays), then they got the Ice Palace/Amalie Arena.
Been a fan since Tampa’s inaugural season.
It has been a wild ride. They’ve made me proud nonetheless. Go Bolts.
NJ Devils fan here. Upon the creation of The Lightning, The Devils beat the pulp out of them every single time they played, home or away, for years upon years.
In 1995 coming off the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals overtime game 7 loss to NYR , NJ was floundering & was bottom middle of the road at best midway through the lockout shortened season.
I was front row for the first game Tampa Bay ever beat NJ & it was in the Meadowlands. I literally ran into Mike Peluso leaving the building right after gametime who was completely dejected. Yet as upset as was he took the time to say hello to me & my friends. He signed autographs and told us how he saw us during warm-ups & during the game going crazy.
Next game was a road game in Boston, and out of the blue 4th liner Mike Peluso came out wearing the "A" on his jersey that next day.
Whatever happened in the locker room after that Tampa loss galvanized the entire NJ team & from that loss forward they pulled together , snuck into the playoffs , then totally dominated enroute to their first Stanley Cup Championship.
I have always said, that if NJ hadn't lost that home game to the then lowly Lightning , that 1995 Cup run might as well never have happened.
I never forgot that & then later on to see former Devil Dave Andreychuk raise the Cup as the Lightning Captain sure brought a smile to my face.
Go Devils
Well expansion teams are always garbage their first several years
@@danevertt3210 extreme exception in general expansion teams are terrible at the beginning of a franchise
Go Bolts. We are still in shock over here in Tampa after the loss.
Just now noticing the Gary Bettman picture right next to your head at 0:29 LMAO I love it
Awards History :
Art Ross: Martin St. Louis (2004/2013) + Nikita Kucherov (2019)
Bill Masterton: John Cullen (1999)
Calder: None
Conn Smythe: Brad Richards (2004) + Victor Hedman (2020) + Andrei Vasilevskiy (2021)
Frank J. Selke: None
Hart Memorial: Martin St. Louis (2004) + Nikita Kucherov (2019)
Jack Adams: John Tortorella (2004)
James Norris: Victor Hedman (2018)
King Clancy Memorial: Vincent Lecavalier (2008)
Lady Bing: Brad Richards (2004) + Martin St. Louis (2010/2011/2013)
Lester B. Pearson/Ted Lindsay: Martin St. Louis (2004) + Nikita Kucherov (2019)
Maurice "Rocket" Richard: Vincent Lecavalier (2007) + Steven Stamkos (2010/2012)
Vezina: Andrei Vasilevskiy (2019)
William M. Jennings: None
Where else can you get hockey content like this? THG is simply the GOAT in hockey world.
My family have been fans since the beginning. My uncle still has his ticket from the game against the Blackhawks and I have a picture from when I was three meeting Dave Anderchuck
Would love to see a career video on Chris Kontos, seemed to have quite the interesting career seeing him bounce around all over the place
I vote Enrico Ciccone, the man who did more to fill the Thunderdome than anyone else.
I feel that this roster has 1 more cup win left in them, especially after the loss to the Avalanche. They just need some more speed on the wing and a faster defender to replace Bogosian
The Tampa Bay Lightning will be back
I feel like we left 2 on the table over the past few years
Yep, I agree, add some speed and youth and they should be cup contenders each of the next 3-4 seasons
They just needed a healthy Point. You can't lose your top playoff goal scorer for years and think that doesn't make a difference.
Your Video Timing is perfect.
I Just fired Up the Grill for my Dinner 🤤
Gotta watch and Put some Chicken Filet on.
When Tampa is healthy- they’re untouchable. The way they execute the game puts him in top-3 NHL teams of all times
Drafts well under Steve Yzerman (GM 2010-2018) and how will they do under Julien BriseBois?
Hey THG, does the Bolts has to win next years Stanley to be consider officially a dynasty? For me this team has been dominating the NHL since 2015/2016 and with the last 3 yrs alone should be a no brainer.. what’s your thoughts?
the Hockey Hall of Fame is the body who crowns official dynasties. By their definition, yes Tampa must win the 2023 Stanley Cup to get on the list.
You need to win 3 cups to be a dynasty. I don't really agree it has to be next year, but if they made the final again, and lost, then the following year won it, then that's 5 final appearances in a row and that's a dynasty. But they need one more in the very near future. Otherwise they're just a great team, short of the all-time elite however.
Hey Shannon, I'd love if you did a team history on some historical teams, whether they've went defunct or relocated. It'd be cool to see some deep dives into why some older teams moved ( i.e. the original jets ) or some of the more significant early teams such as the Montreal Maroons.
I missed these type of videos
Weird that Lecavalier is the only player to play 1000 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning
Thg probably contacted Uline and asked
“gimme the biggest board you have”
“Sir our largest is..”
“Yes”
“I’d be a liar to say I wasn’t using this for publicity,” Esposito said at the time. “But I don’t care if she is a woman. If there were a horse with skates and it could stop a puck, I’d put it in there.”
Great video Shannon. One (minor) thing that would have made the video a little better: On the All Time Leaders list, you should have put an asterisks next to active players, so that we would know which numbers have a chance of going up.
The South’s first Hockey Dynasty!
Hall of fame for lots of these guys
You should have posted that they are the only NHL team to have a female goaltender. She only played preseason and then was sent down and yes, it was probably a publicity stunt. But she played in the NHL.
“I’d be a liar to say I wasn’t using this for publicity,” Esposito said at the time. “But I don’t care if she is a woman. If there were a horse with skates and it could stop a puck, I’d put it in there.”
Thank you, Shannon, for not being like the trolls who try to discredit TB’s Cup win in 2020. Like you, I believe it was harder to win that Cup than under normal circumstances.
Where I disagree with you, I consider TBL - or at least their core - a dynasty already. An unmatched 7-year run in the cap era. If not a dynasty, then the best team/core in the salary cap era. Their accomplishments and success since 2015 is the best 5- to 10-year run in the cap era.
Chicago was better
Thank you Yzerman, thank God we have him back in Detroit now
Even though Yzerma built a good team I tampa, he never wan a cup and additions that bresboise made made the Champs
@@88Oleksiy the team changed very little from 2019-2020. The two cup winning teams was 95% Yzerman dna. The 4 straight losses to Columbus was not the fault of a GM but the players and coaching not adjusting to Tort’s powerful forechecking strategy.
4:19 please make the cut off for Detroit 1997, we’ve been terrible during the existence of this channel, please help me out. Thanks.
We have had some bad years too. 4 seasons of 50 plus losses. I hope we get a 3rd cup in 5 or 6 years to match Blackhawks. Even if they don't, they should still be considered a dynasty
You see Stamkos hit the ref with the puck? They did not handle the loss well
I think that Tampa has already checked all the boxes for a Dynasty under the salary cap era.
I want to agree, but I think 3 is a dynasty honestly. The team can still compete for another 1-2 years realistically, so we'll see if they can pull it off.
@@Wayf4rer eh 3 finals In a row is enough. Especially when you figure out the bolts pushed the avs to 6 with a nearly broken team (injuries) and the fact that they played 4 different 50 win teams. Without point as well. Also they can still win next year and still earn their “dynasty” title. But let’s be frank they are everything but called a dynasty rn. Also helps that’s their cores locked up for 5 more years give or take a few contacts ending sooner then others
@@Wayf4rer those dynasty standards were established when there was no salary cap. Look at what Tampa has accomplished since the cap was in place. The only other team that comes close is the Penguins. They have back-to-back, but they have only won a single round since then.
@@denegra I know I know, I guess I'm just kind of a purist in that sense. For me the established criteria is 3 within a period of six years given that's what Chicago was able to do.
@@denegra Chicago won 3 cups in 6 years recently.
Very proud of the tampa bay lightning, what theyve done probably wong be matched for a while
go bolts!⚡️⚡️⚡️
Despite the loss I still couldn't be prouder of our Bolts! Other than the game 2 loss (which was 100% due to the altitude) they battled hard every game and only lost by slim margins despite going up against a highly skilled, younger, and better rested team.
Think of how games one and four may have been different if the Bolts had a functioning power play.
@Victor Vigna That's so funny! So I was born in CO and have family there but grew up in and still live in Tampa. I'm also big into hiking and backpacking and yes, after a bit I also 100% feel the altitude there whenever I visit. It can actually get pretty bad even though I'm in decent shape.
@@danielk9475 stop making excuses
@@masonwright7700 Quit being hyper-sensitive. I didn't make excuses simply stated facts. No b****ing about the officiating or some other non-sense. And none of it is to say the Avs really suck and we would have won if blah blah blah. At the end of the day we were outplayed and beaten by a highly skilled, younger, and better rested team. If you think that's making excuses and worth griping at over the internet you need get away from your keyboard and get some fresh air.
@@masonwright7700 quit being insensitive. You’re showing your intelligence if you don’t think altitude affects breathing. It’s almost as if you don’t even know what affects your body. I recommend going to school more often.
I think it's because Columbus gets a lot of unearned hate from the NHL community. "They lost to who!?" Disrespectful beyond belief. Columbus had an amazing roster that year.
Let’s go Bolts!!! Rest up and get healthy, we have unfinished business
I don't think they get back next year with all the wear and tear over the last three runs. I wouldn't mind if they saved some picks next year instead of going 'all in' and then got set for another run for a fresher team in 2023-2024.
Never clicked so fast on video.
Tampa gonna work magic again
just like the Terminator, the Bolts will be back!!!!!
Bolts dynasty ⚡️⚡️⚡️
First team in the salary cap era to play in three straight Cup finals. Winning two of them just makes it that much more significant.
Shannon shrunk 😂 That is a HUGE board 🤣
Game one was stolen from TB by the refs because of the cheap tripping call 5 on3 goal. They needed that game. They could have won the Stanley Cup!!!
Go bolts cant wait for next year
That’s a giant whiteboard!
Wanted the 3 peat more than anything. This will bum me out for a while
All hail Yzerman and the complete opposite to Barry Melrose!! 😆
Let's Fuckin GO LIGHTNING!!!!
If point was not injured, maybe would have won the cup too this year
If anyone thinks they’re done , you’re wrongly mistaken 😂 Bolts will be back stronger than ever. Believe that.
If any team ever will be back, it will be The Bolts bro.
They really dont need much to be back either, just speed in the depth department.
-Keep Palat for 1-2 more years
-Resign Nick Paul
-Acquire a fast winger
-Replace Bogosian with a younger, faster defencemen
Drops: Killorn, Bogosian
@Victor Vigna the loss to the Avalanche retroactively extends the Bolts opportunity at a dynasty, they now have 2 seasons to pull it off
@@XDarkBrotherhoodHD I fully agree with the breakdown you have. Bogosians great but we need more speed as you’ve said and by god killorn shit the bed this year. Toss them both resign Paul and palat and get an extra d man for cheap that wants to be part of a dynasty.
@@scrotumscratcher2474 it wouldn’t be that difficult to offer players we need low contracts with a “dynasty clause”.
Also dropping Killorn and Bogosian would get us 5.1 million in cap space, we might not even need depth on Defence if Cal Foote is ready to hold the spot
Who’s to say they don’t at least win one more with this crew to. Vasy had a weaker season by his standards, and simply put right now there might not be a more pissed team in hockey then the Lightning. The east is full of young teams and most likely Colorado awaits any challengers yet Tampa could do it.
I just want to see Nick Paul get a ring, that would be nice.
Go Bolts!!! ⚡⚡⚡
they just didnt have enough on their depth to beat the avs, losing point didnt help either and they were struggling without him. he's been the reason why they won 2 cups. i mean he's been the biggest impact player that tampa ever had and he's a 7th round pick. talent doesnt always come from the top 5.
Gotta win another championship in the next 3-4 years or nobody will remember these
The fans will. Who cares if anyone else remembers or not?
Their coach already said they are going to keep almost all their players. They will win again next year you know.
They lost this year
@@masonwright7700 Game 7 is tonight Mason, didn't you hear?
@@masonwright7700 damn man you really have a knack for showing your incredibly low IQ huh? Read the post again. But slower this time
In my mind TB was a pretty boring team early on, I remember I liked Puppa's name a lot. It was pretty exciting when TB drafted Vinny and of course, Khabby was quite an attraction the 04 cup run. Speaking of 04, I believe TB fans see a lot of Fedotenko in Avs Nichushkin who came up big in important games deep into their respectively runs. I got a lot of good memories following Vasilevskiy, Hedman and Stamkos from juniors all the way up til today. It's not a team I cheer for in general but has a lot of players I do like.
After a decade this rich will play-off appearances it's easy to rule TB out if next year doesn't go well. My question is how long Stamkos and Hedman can be top performers and have TB found any hidden Palats, Points, Kucherovs in the draft the past 2-3 years so they can miraculously recover from the inevitable aging and loss of players they will eventually have? I think replacing Hedman in a few years will be the toughest challenge.
I don't expect them to be back in the finals next year, I think playing so many play-off games over 3 years (going back 7-8 years for many of them) will take it's toll. I can only see them go far if Vasilevskiy turn on the cheat codes like he did vs NYI in 2021 and never let go of a single game. It's a lot to ask.
Maybe a break layoff year then they return to the playoffs
They should retire Brad Richards' number 19.
I prefer the 2004 tampa
You need bigger logos, Shannon...
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
⚡️😁❤⚡️
Most disrespected champion in NHL history.
(By casuals and salty fans)
Bolts won back to back covid cup didn't count as Stanley cup.
The history of Tampa’s Covid Cups
And?
Yea they never won in 2004, not sure where you are getting your facts. #itwasin
Leafs win the Cup next year
I believe this but why say it on a Tampa video, bro? This is why everyone hates us.
I agree. Leafs fans Including myself are waiting for way too long since their last Stanley Cup win. Leafs will win the Stanley Cup next year, fair and square
@@keeshandave8603 No, they won't. And you can come find this comment if I am proven wrong. But I don't think they even make it past the first round
leafs miss the playoffs by 2points, matthews leaves that off season. Toronto slowly moves back into the basement over the next 4years, will check back come may 2023
Ok Lucas .... what the hell are you smoking.... Dubas has put the Leafs into a salary cap hell.. the big 4 eating over 40% of the cap ... no starting goaltender and let's not forget about Mrazek ... if they make it past round 1 Leaf fans will be dancing in the streets ... but winning the Cup ... not a chance
I do not consider the 2 cup victories as true Cup wins and both need asterix on them.. the first one was in a bubble and was far from normal and the 2nd one was covid effective.. Where most teams were tested for covid and sat out players because TB was in Florida they were never tested and Bettman stepped in when they went to cities requiring tests...so not a true back to back no matter how you look at it....
Whatever
I guarantee that if your favorite team had won, your opinion would be completely different. Go cry to your politicians if your mad about testing protocols costing your hockey team success. RIDICULOUS!
What a dumb comment, you realize that what Tampa did was during the time of the salary cap right? During a time that you have to win 16 games to take the championship compared to the early days with a much smaller group of teams. Tampa's GM had to juggle expansion and free agency, things pre-cap GM's could just throw $ at.
@@thebikewatcher9819 did not cost my team as we missed the playoffs this year just that there should have been no way they got away without testing..some teams when they played Florida and TB back to back were hit hard with covid cause Florida is ran by an idiot... the league rules need to be uniform throughout the league.
@@schumdav and yes they used a loophole to allow Kutherov and Stamcs to sit out the whole season and then all of a sudden when playoffs came around they slipped them in as no salary cap in playoffs..I know it was legal just not fair...and when they tried to close this loophole Bettman and owners would not close it...