Stamkos Hits Rare Air

Steven Stamkos. Hands down of the top offensive players not only in the game today, but all time. His recorded over 500 assists and 1,000 points. But 500 goals has eluded him for a while now. He's been sitting on 499 for quite some time now. Until last night. During the Lightning win in Vancouver over the Canucks, Stamkos joined the 500 goal club. He ended the 5-2 win over the Canucks with a hat trick to give him 502 and counting.

He becomes the 47th member of the 500 goal club in NHL history and the 3rd active player to join said club, along with Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.

There's no doubt in anybody mind he the best offensive player to ever put on a Tampa Bay Lightning sweater. Sure, Martin St Louis and Vincent Lecavalier were great players in Lightning uniforms. But Stammer has topped both of them. He's been the face of this franchise since he put on the sweater. Nobody has played the game better than Stammer in the teams history. he's their home grown guy who's done it all for the franchise.

He hit double digits in goals every year but one (he scored 9 on just 17 games in 2017) and the only season he's failed to hit the twenty goal mark was 2021 when he scored just 17 goals due to injury. He's hit the 50 goal mark twice, including a 60 goal season in 2012. Four more times in his outstanding career he's passed the 40 goal mark.

Injuries have cost him dearly during his career, which many including myself believe, cut short his chances of hitting this mark at an earlier point in his career. All of that said and taken into account its  been a hell of a ride for the Bolts captain and face of the franchise.

Congratulations again to Steven Stamkos on joining the 500 goal club.