The Tampa Bay Lightning won their game on Saturday, yet tonight is an evening of huge loss, as they announced that Steven Stamkos is expected to miss one-to-three months.
The reason: a blood clot was discovered in Stamkos’ arm, which will require surgery on Monday, according to multiple sources including Bryan Burns of the team’s website.
“Obviously this situation is extremely disappointing because I wanted to help my team clinch a playoff spot and prepare for the start of the postseason,” Stamkos said. “During my recovery I will do all I can to help my teammates, and I hope to rejoin them soon in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”
That window of recovery absolutely opens up the question regarding whether Stamkos has played his last game with the Lightning this season ... or ever, with unrestricted free agency looming.
Yikes. The best-case scenario isn’t as bad, mind you:
Of course, one player’s injury can often translate to a huge opportunity for someone else, and the Lightning aren’t closing the door on a possible return from prodigal project Jonathan Drouin.
Asked if Jonathan Drouin would be a potential callup, Yzerman said it would be something the #TBLightning will consider.
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) April 3, 2016
Bad luck strikes Lightning
One cannot help but feel a little bad for the Bolts.
Most directly, this is an enormous blow to a Lightning team that also lost Anton Stralman to a significant injury not that long ago. It’s also a strange twist as far as blood clots hitting this team:
Apparently Andrei Vasilevskiy dealt with this condition back in September. Bad luck for Lightning.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) April 3, 2016
The East may very well be slim pickings, at least on paper.
The East is so ridiculously bad now ... TB no Stamkos/Stralman. Seems like it's Caps ... Penguins .. and then the rest.
— Jimmy Hascup (@jhascup22) April 3, 2016
Steven Stamkos out 1-3 months with blood clot. Here's how the #TBLightning fared when he missed 45 games in 2013-14 pic.twitter.com/juhLXd9eYe
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 3, 2016