The buzz on Opening Day in Florida is that the small-market Tampa Bay Rays will be able to contend with the Goliaths of the AL East.
The Rays have generated excitement by reaching the World Series in 2008; however, people on Florida’s west coast should not forget about their hockey team, the Lightning, who won the Stanley Cup six years ago and employ 20-year-old Steven Stamkos.
This year the sophomore shared the Rocket Richard Trophy—which is awarded to the athlete with the most goals in the regular season—with Sidney Crosby and should become recognized by the NHL community as one of the best players in the world. It may come as a surprise to fans in Tampa, but in all likelihood the Bolts have a better future ahead of them than the Rays.
It is understandable that this may be difficult to believe.
The Lightning just finished the season second-to-last in their division and are outside of the playoffs for the third straight year. However, as long as Stamkos and Hedman continue to improve they should complement the pl ...
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Article written by Tom Schreier