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The Lightning have finally given us the answer that we have been patiently waiting on the entire offseason! The Tampa Bay Lightning have officially named Martin St. Louis as their new Captain.

Mar 20, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St Louis (26) carries the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Tampa Bay 4-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

I can’t say that there is a better player to succeed longtime Captain Vincent Lecavalier than his wingman St. Louis.

Our favorite #26 has been in Lightning blue for 12 seasons, 13 if you count the NHL Lockout of 2004.

Loved by both the organization and the fans alike, St. Louis always seemed as the odds on favorite for the job.

Let’s take a look at St. Louis by the numbers since the 2000-01 season.

Games Played: 910

910 Goals Scored: 336

336 Assists Earned: 556

556 Points Scored: 892

If Marty plays all 82 games in regulation this season, he will play his 1,000th game in the 8th game of the 2014-15 season. Providing he stays on the same scoring track that he traveled last season, he could easily have his 1,000th point by next season as well.

Last season, St. Louis proved that age is nothing more than a number. The 38-year-old Lighting right winger became the oldest player to lead the National Hockey League in scoring and win the Art Ross Trophy.

I have said for a while now that Martin St. Louis has been the heart and soul of the Tampa Bay Lightning for quite some time. The ascension to Captain shouldn’t be a very big change for the Laval, Quebec native.

Right now, the Lightning have a lot of new players coming into the main roster from the Syracuse Crunch. Who better than a talented veteran like St. Louis to usher these new players to the next level of play?

It can be said without a shadow of a doubt that Martin St. Louis has both the talent and the work ethic of a true leader.

When St. Louis decides that he is going to hang his skates up for good, I can wholeheartedly see him passing the torch to the young Steven Stamkos so that he may guide the Lightning into the future. However, for now…that responsibility lies squarely on the shoulders of one of the greatest players in Tampa Bay Lightning history.

The Bolts went 5-2 during the preseason. The team will certainly be looking to take that momentum and carry it into the regular season. With a little inspiration and the proper guidance, this should be an easy feat for a motivated Bolts team.

The Lightning will play their first game with their new Captain at the TD Garden in Boston as the Lightning come face to face with the Boston Bruins in the Lightning’s season opener on October 3rd.

What do you think of the Lightning’s decision to hand the “C” over to Martin St. Louis? Do you think he will be able to lead the Bolts to the post-season this year? Sound off in the comments below and let the world know what you think.

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