OPINION

Towards the end of last year and during this past offseason, General Manager Steve Yzerman made several moves that not only improved the talent on the Lightning, but also added character and leadership to the team. Just before the playoffs in April, Yzerman made a trade that shocked the entire Lightning fan base. Yzerman traded Marty St. Louis, a major staple of Lightning hockey for 13 years and hometown hero to the New York Rangers, for Ryan Callahan and two draft picks in the 2015 draft. Callahan and St. Louis were both the captains of their teams at the time.

One of the main reasons for trading St. Louis was the fact that Marty no longer had any passion for staying in Tampa Bay. Last year, the Winter Olympics were held in Sochi, Russia and Yzerman was the General Manager of Team Canada. Marty, who is Canadian, was expected to get selected by Yzerman because they were both a part of the Lightning organization. Instead, Yzerman left St. Louis off the Canadian team. That was the last straw for St. Louis, and after the Olympics, Marty pouted and whined his way out of Tampa. Ryan Callahan is a tough and gritty player who gives 110 percent effort in every game he plays and Ryan never quits, unlike Marty. Yzerman also traded for Jason Garrison from the Vancouver Canucks on the day of the NHL draft.

Garrison, who is a top line defenseman and still in his prime, is a former captain who brings leadership, toughness, and character to the Bolts. But Yzerman was not done there. Yzerman added yet another former Captain, forward Brendon Morrow from the Saint Louis Blues. Morrow is a savvy veteran who has been in the NHL since 1999 and brings both experience and leadership as he has been a captain for eight years. Yzerman has also kept the Lightning young by re-signing second year center Tyler Johnson and forward Ondrej Palat to three year deals. Both Palat and Johnson were finalists for NHL rookie of the year last year.

So get excited, feel energized, and get ready to be the thunder as the Tampa Bay Lightning gear up for what looks to be a promising season and future.