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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 5, 2001
Try putting together an all-time team for the Montreal Canadiens. Whom do you put in goal: Ken Dryden? Patrick Roy? Jacques Plante? How about the Boston Bruins. Who gets left out on defense -- Bobby Orr? Ray Bourque? Eddie Shore?
But as hard as it is to put together an all-time team for one of the Original Six or even a recent star-laden team such as the Penguins or Avalanche, it's just as difficult putting together an all-time team for the Lightning. As it starts its 10th season, the Lightning can boast of only one winning record and postseason appearance. When putting together an all-time team, it's a question of who to put in instead of who to leave out.
The Lightning has had a handful of one-time superstars, but players such as Denis Savard, Wendel Clark and Brian Bellows made their mark with other teams. For our purposes, we only consider what the players did while in a Tampa Bay uniform. To put together this team, the Times called upon former Lightning beat writer Tom Jones, who covered the team from 1992-2000 before moving on to cover the Minnesota Wild for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. This team won't rival Guy Lafleur's Habs or Gordie Howe's Red Wings, but it's the Best of the Bolts.
DAREN PUPPA: This guy could be a pain the back with all his ailments, strains and pains. He spent more time on the trainer's table than in the crease. Then again, it's no wonder he developed back problems after pretty much carrying the Lightning to its only postseason performance in 1995-96. Easily the club's all-time leader in just about every goaltending category, including games missed with injury.
ROMAN HAMRLIK: The Lightning's first draft pick never quite lived up to all the enormous expectations, but he remains the best defenseman Tampa Bay ever had. His up-and-down Lightning career was highlighted by his 1995-96 All-Star season when he produced 16 goals and 65 points. Tampa Bay couldn't wait to get rid of him and yet it never has replaced him.
CORY CROSS: Probably not a popular choice, but this selection says more about the lack of quality defensemen in Tampa Bay than it does about Cross. Often criticized by fans for not being physical enough, Cross played more games for the Lightning than every defenseman except Hamrlik. In his first three full seasons with Tampa Bay, he was a plus-4. Then the entire organization fell apart. But his trade to Toronto has proven Cross is a solid NHL defenseman.
ROB ZAMUNER: The left wing made his reputation as one of the best defensive forwards in hockey, but he also is third on the Lightning's all-time scoring list. He was with the organization through the good, bad and ugly, yet his tireless work ethic and optimism stayed the same. And we have to consider this: He remains the most popular player in team history.
BRIAN BRADLEY: What a shame the center's career ended in injury and controversy because Bradley still is the best (and most talented) player in team history. He averaged nearly a point a game on some dreadful teams and appeared in two all-star games. It's about time the organization recognizes his contributions in some way.
ALEX SELIVANOV: Phil Esposito's son-in-law took plenty of grief in Tampa Bay and some of it was deserved. The right wing could be a dog at times. But numbers don't lie. He once scored 30 goals in a season and still ranks as the fifth-leading scorer in team history. Plus, who can forget that he scored the biggest goal in team history with his OT winner in Game 3 of the '96 playoffs against Philadelphia?
Goalie: Rick Tabarracci. Defense: Shawn Chambers, Bill Houlder. Left wing: Fredrik Modin. Center: Chris Gratton. Right wing: Petr Klima.