Tampa Bay Lightning Injury Update: Steven Stamkos: ‘Feeling Like A Hockey Player Again’
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos continues to make strides towards his eventual return to the ice as his workouts get increasingly intense.
The Tampa Bay Lightning thought they had finally shaken off the injury bug which had plagued them all season long. With the exception of the two players with long-term injuries, everyone who had nagging injuries had made their way back into the lineup and the team was finally starting to build some chemistry.
Well…about that.
Back on Mar. 9, as the Tampa Bay Lightning took on the Minnesota Wild, the Bolts suffered the loss of not one, not two, but three centers over the course of the 60-minute hockey game. Thankfully for the Lightning, it was a hockey game they won 4-1, but still…at what cost?
Tampa Bay Lightning
As the Lightning approach the final weeks of the regular season, there is one burning question still very much in need of an answer; when, if at all this season, will Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos be making his return to the ice? The answer to this question isn’t exactly clear right now, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel which shines through and gives Lightning fans some hope.
Many Tampa Bay Lightning fans are aware Stamkos has already returned to practice with the team. The only thing is until very recently, his time on the ice has been segregated from the remainder of the team while he got his strength back in his leg and was able to face bigger challenges.
However, things took a decided turn for the better on Mar. 11 when Steven Stamkos was seen on the ice working on shooting and passing drills with his teammate, and the Lightning’s current leading goal-scorer, Nikita Kucherov. Judging by what we witnessed on the ice, Stamkos was definitely starting to look like himself.
While this is definitely a step in the right direction, there was a much more important question looming off in the distance waiting to wreak havoc. This question was…how exactly did Stamkos feel being back out on the ice?
Well…judging by what we’ve seen earlier this morning, things are definitely looking up for the Lightning’s 27-year-old captain. According to Sportsnet Features Reporter Christine Simpson, Steven Stamkos was being put through the paces once again today with Lightning Assistant Coach Brad Lauer.
More importantly, Simpson goes on to say Stamkos is “feeling more like a hockey player again.”
This is definitely music to the ears of everyone here in the Bolts Nation. Unfortunately, this particular tune doesn’t exactly translate to a return date. As Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper said back on Mar. 11, the team isn’t really to a point where they can even put a date on his return.
More From Bolts By The Bay: Steven Stamkos Return Date Not Set In Stone
This could be both a good thing and a bad thing. The obvious bad news is there is still a slight chance Lightning fans won’t see Stamkos back on the ice during the regular season. If this comes to pass, the Lightning’s success in any potential postseason run would determine if he makes a return at all this season.
On the flip side, the good news from this means the team is not rushing Stamkos’ recovery nor are they forcing him to make a return to the ice before he is one-hundred percent ready to do so. It seems as if they have learned from their experiences with Ryan Callahan and Vladislav Namestnikov it’s best not to rush things.
All in all, Steven Stamkos seems to be working his magic once again. Sometimes we wonder if Stamkos isn’t part Autobot. He seems to be one of the only players who can take a serious injury like the one he’s dealing with now, cut down the injury time with hard work and dedication, and transform himself into something even better than he was before. That’s a Transformer if we’ve ever seen one.
Next: Steven Stamkos Making Strides Towards Return
While Steven Stamkos’ return to the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup may not be written in on the calendar just yet, every indication points to his recovery being on track. Stammer may not have been ready right at the four-month mark as some hoped, but he is definitely headed in the right direction, and this is all one can really ask for when faced with an injury such as the one Stamkos is saddled with right now.