Martin St. Louis 'expecting the worst' in return to Tampa Bay

New York Rangers forward Martin St. Louis knows he's likely in for a bitter reception when he plays in Tampa Bay on Wednesday night for the first time since being traded last spring.

The former Lightning captain was dealt to the Rangers in March for Ryan Callahan, a first-round draft pick and a conditional second-round pick after asking for a trade two months earlier.

"I'm expecting the worst and hoping for the best," he told reporters Tuesday. "I get their pain. I just want them to respect my decision. I think I earned that."

St. Louis said he's satisfied with the way things turned out.

"I know I gave my all here, but I am very happy with where I am now," he said. 

Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman was also in charge of selecting Canada's Olympic men's hockey roster and left St. Louis off the initial group in January before adding him as an injury replacement.

The 39-year-old has eight goals and nine assists in 20 games this season.