VL4, who made major contributions to Tampa Bay, was unceremoniously bought out as his contract no longer justified his play. 26 six months after being named Captain demanded to be traded as his personal concerns were more important than being Captain of the team. His Protegé and friend became the next Captain. 91 is now waiting to see who will pay him $12 million a year this summer. When was the last time that the players held a players only meeting? Who will be the next Captain and for how long? SFY should be the Captain of the team not the general manager
To answer some of the questions raised here:
Last "known" Players-Only Meeting was after going down 0-2 against the Habs, Round 1, in 2013-14.
Is captaincy of the Lightning become a meaningless position?
The entire history of this franchise and its Captains, well the bar was set pretty low long, long ago.
Paul Ysebaert - Because naming him Captain had to be the "enticement" to come from a Playoff-contending Hawks team to the lowly Lightning in the Savard trade, right?
Bill Houlder - Funny guy. His jokes and commercials just commanded that he be the Captain... till they waived him (while still Captain) and claimed by Nashville. A mere 3 months after he was traded here for his second tour. Just wasn't "fast enough", so sayeth Pokemon Dudley.
Mikael Renberg - Able to convert oxygen to carbon dioxide, obvious choice!
Rob Zamuner - Lead by example... no, really. He did.
Chris Gratton - Poor Grats. Gets it by default after Houlder is waived and then he gets traded to Buffalo that same season. Guess ol' Ludzik and Dudley had seen enough when Vinny wore the C while Gratton was injured. Or maybe Petr Svoboda told them to shove it when offered to him. "C stands for Cursed!"
Vinny (Twice, technically 3 times - see above) - Lead by example... no, really. He did.
#25 -
The Only True Captain This Franchise Has Had
Tim Taylor - Old Fart Vet and NHLPA Player Rep for the Lightning. The Tool Man. "Captain" Wrap Around. He was the team's PA Rep so it made sense.