Last week, NHL Network unveiled its 2025 Quarter-Century Team, [https://x.com/NHLNetwork/status/1956491091936481626] honoring the top players to debut on or after January 1, 2000. The Tampa Bay Lightning were well represented with four players: forwards Nikita Kucherov, former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, defenseman Victor Hedman, and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. Former Lightning forward Pat Maroon, an analyst on NHL Network, reflected on his time in Tampa Bay, highlighting what it was like to play alongside Kucherov and Stamkos [https://x.com/NHLNetwork/status/1958967412734431399]. “Those guys are skating two weeks after a long season, and that's what makes them so great. They're skating together,” Maroon said of his former teammates. “Stammer came down this summer to skate with Kuch in Tampa. They find ways to work on their craft every single day.” After 16 seasons in Tampa Bay, Stamkos signed a four-year contract with the Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators] last season. During his time with the Lightning, Stamkos recorded 555 goals, 582 assists, and 1,137 points in 1,082 games. He ranks third in playoff points (101) and assists (51), second in goals (50), and fifth in games played (128) in team history. Fresh off another dominant season, Kucherov [https://www.nhl.com/lightning/player/nikita-kucherov-8476453] was recently named the 2025 Ted Lindsay Award recipient, given annually to the NHL’s “Most Outstanding Player” as voted by members of the NHLPA. The Lightning winger also captured the Art Ross Trophy after leading the league in scoring with 37 goals, 84 assists, and 121 points in 78 games during the 2024-25 campaign. “I think Kuch is arguably one of the best players. I think you can put him out there with McDavid, Draisaitl, MacKinnon and the Crosby's of the world, and Ovi,” said Maroon. The Tampa Bay Lightning will kick off the 2025-26 season at home on October 9, facing off against the Ottawa Senators.
