Tampa Bay Lightning Injury Update: Ryan Callahan returns to practice in no-contact jersey
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan is out indefinitely following an Upper-Body Injury sustained on Dec. 14 against the Arizona Coyotes.
The Tampa Bay Lightning is no stranger to injuries. At times, the injuries have been minor and at other times, they have been quite crippling. Unfortunately, there is one Lightning player who knows all-too-well about the latter; Lightning alternate captain Ryan Callahan.
As most Lightning fans are painfully aware by now, Ryan Callahan is currently out indefinitely, due to be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks, after sustaining a nasty-looking Upper-Body Injury midway through the third period on December 14 as the Bolts took on the Arizona Coyotes.
The incident occurred when Callahan and Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson were both racing towards the Coyotes net. The two got tangled up to the side of the net, which resulted in the two of them slamming into the end boards with a resounding thud.
It was apparent from the moment contact with the boards occurred Callahan had taken the worst of the impact. Cally quickly braced his right arm as he slowly made his way off the ice. There was absolutely no way Callahan would return to the game.
Let’s fast forward about two weeks and we find ourselves here today. The Lightning are preparing to take on their Atlantic Division rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. Obviously, Callahan won’t be taking the ice with the team tonight against the Habs, but he did in fact take the ice with the team today.
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According to Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times, Lightning forward Ryan Callahan did take the ice this morning during the Lightning’s practice. Unfortunately, it was in one of those pesky red, no-contact jerseys. This is the first time Cally has been on the ice since sustaining his injury a couple weeks ago.
Callahan just can’t seem to catch a break lately. Despite the fact he’s missed a majority of the last season and a half dealing with a recurring hip injury, he has also missed time this season due to various injuries and ailments, the current one being the most serious.
Also, Callahan has been working his tail off on the ice in order to make plays happen, which he has been rather successful at. Regrettably, if you only look at things in black and white, Cally doesn’t have much to show for it this season.
In the 29 games Cally has suited up for this season, he has scored one goal and five assists for a total of six points. This is by no means a valid description of the amount of work he has been putting in this season.
On the bright side, Callahan seems to be moving in the right direction in regards to his recovery. He may still be stuck in a red, no-contact jersey, but at least he is back out on the ice. Hopefully, when he is re-evaluated in the coming weeks, there will be some solid information on when he’ll be able to rejoin his teammates on the ice.
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Until then, we here at Bolts By The Bay wish Ryan Callahan nothing but the best as he continues his recovery. No player ever wants to sit on the sidelines while their team moves forward. Hopefully, this agony comes to an end sooner rather than later for Cally.