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Lightning announce Stamkos’ successful surgery

stamkosskates

The Tampa Bay Lightning passed along a statement about Steven Stamkos’ successful surgery on a broken right tibia Tuesday:

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos underwent successful surgery this afternoon in Boston to stabilize a fracture in his right tibia. He is expected to return to Tampa on Thursday to begin rehabilitation immediately, the team announced. A prospective timetable has not yet been set for his return to the ice.

Stamkos had a metal rod inserted in his leg the length of his tibia, which will be a “permanent part of his body,” according to the Tampa Bay Times’ Damian Cristodero.

As you can see, the team isn’t providing a window for return (just that his rehab will begin on Thursday). TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that there’s an “unofficial prognosis” of three months and floats some extra incentive for hitting that mark:

BTW, Team Canada’s first game at Sochi Olympics is Feb. 13 vs Norway. So, basically, in 3 months.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) November 12, 2013


It certainly makes sense that Stamkos would want to play for Canada, as the 23-year-old is one of the few virtual locks when healthy. Still, he’s just 23 ... is that worth the risk of possibly rushing back too soon?

There’s plenty of time to wring hands over that, though. The good news is that the surgery seemed to go well.

In other Lightning injury news, the Tampa Tribune’s Erik Erlendsson reports that Keith Aulie (upper body) was placed on the injured reserve.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins