Can Steven Stamkos Succeed Brad Richards?

It’s not often that a No.1 overall pick will make a suggestion to team management as to who to choose after him. That’s what Vincent Lecavalier did in 1998 vouching for Brad Richards, a teammate from the Rimouski Oceanic and good friend.

As luck would have it, they listened. While the future captain of the team immediately joined the Lightning, Richards remained in the QMJHL for two further years. Looking back at the draft, it seems unbelievable that he was available in the third round.

He scored 20 goals on five occasions and eclipsed 30 assists every year in Tampa Bay. Richards’ determination in the 2004 playoffs was second to none as the Lightning became the last Stanley Cup winner prior to the lock-out.

A Conn Smythe Trophy, Lady Byng Award and the opportunity to celebrate Lord Stanley’s glamour with an old buddy. While most could only dream of such events to happen, Richards lived them as a 24-year-old.

After becoming such a monumental piece in Tampa’s rise, he was sent to the Dallas Stars on February 26, 2008 in a trade deadline deal. Off went a leader whose possible replacement at some point would take time to arrange.

Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis required some assistance steering the offense. Vaclav Prospal, another close acquaintance of Lecavalier’s, was that man for much of the last two seasons. The Czech was bought out of the remaining three years of his contract this summer becoming a free agent.

Unfair it may have been, but it could be the Lightning’s mistake if history is any indication. Prospal has had a tendency of bouncing back from mediocre seasons impeccably.

This happenstance has again left a void to be filled. Stand up Steven Stamkos. Before playing his first NHL game, he was declared a spokesman for a Swiss watch company named Tissot. Ah, the life of a No.1 draft pick.

The former Sarnia Sting was noticed quickly on the ice in negative ways. Four points in 17 games brought the word ‘bust’ up constantly and Barry Melrose was fired unsurprisingly. Rick Tocchet’s introduction as the new head coach didn’t turn the team’s season around.

Tampa Bay finished 14th in the Eastern Conference however, he did solve something by handling Stamkos’ situation superbly. Tocchet scratched him for three games to allow extended conditioning for the teenager’s benefit as an NHLer.

Everyone began to see the tremendous scoring touch, playmaking and aggression that he was known for in his return to the lineup. Stamkos recorded 19 points in 20 games to end the year on a major high note.

As demonstrated by his Conn Smythe award, Richards was someone who thrived in the postseason averaging over a point per game for the Lightning.

Seeing as how the team is restructuring itself, a return to the playoffs is still up in the air. Until we see Stamkos’ postseason debut, we can solely guess if he’ll become an impact player as Richards was.

With Lecavalier and St. Louis, Stamkos should become the third superstar taking the spot of Richards. He began to find chemistry with both towards the final weeks and the similarities with Richards don’t end there.

On the power play, Stamkos has played the blue line and while his scoring touch may be better, the puck distribution of Richards is well ahead. These two aren’t identical. They aren’t completely different either.

Chemistry with Lecavalier and St. Louis is vital because the three will play on the first power play unit together.

Richards’ past accomplishments make his shoes exceedingly difficult to fill but Stamkos has already broken one of his records: goals scored by a Lightning rookie.

The kid is off to a good start.

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