The Tampa Bay Lightning selected Victor Hedman as the team captain on Wednesday as training camp opened, making the big defenseman the successor to Steven Stamkos. Hedman, who is going into his 16th season with Tampa Bay,

The Tampa Bay Lightning have selected Victor Hedman as their new captain. Hedman succeeds longtime captain Steven Stamkos, who left in free agency to sign with Nashville.

After spending eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins and a stop with the Carolina Hurricanes, Guentzel comes to the Tampa Bay Lightning as a player in need. He couldn't wait to hit the ice for the first time with his new team.

During the offseason, the Tampa Bay Lightning notably lost franchise legend Steven Stamkos. After the Lightning did not sign Stamkos to a new contract, he joined the Nashville Predators on a four-year, $32 million deal.

TAMPA — For many of the Lightning’s core players, Steven Stamkos was the only captain they’d ever known. So, to open training camp without No. 91 is strange, to say the least. “He’s such a big part of our group and kind of what made us the Lightning,” top-line center Brayden Point said.