It appears that Steven Stamkos was never “that close” to playing in the Olympics for Team Canada after all. While he hoped to be cleared for the games, and thought he felt fine, it was learned today that he still isn’t ready to return even after the two and a half week Olympic break.
Stamkos said that an X-Ray was taken of his tibia on Monday night, and while things have improved and it looks good, doctors have told him to “play it smart” with his return from the injury.
Stamkos to be Re-Evaluated March 5th, Hopes to Play March 6th
Instead, Stamkos will be re-evaluated on March 5th, and hopes to return to the Tampa Bay Lightning for their March 6th game against the Buffalo Sabres.
“It did feel good [Feb. 5], but it feels even better now,” Stamkos said. “Maybe I wasn’t as far along as I thought, knowing how much better it has felt now that I have kept working on it and taking a couple of days off. It’s just going to continually get better and that’s positive knowing it’s doing that.”
Stamkos hasn’t played since November 11th, when he broke his leg in a game against the Boston Bruins. He indicated that no longer having a hard deadline that he needs to return by such as the looming Olympics weighing on him has been a relief.
“I think now it was kind of a relief for that whole thing to be over and done with,” he said. “Just to get all that stuff out of the way and to focus on one thing and that’s getting back and playing for Tampa.”
While Stamkos will not be in the lineup when the Lightning play in Nashville against the Predators on Thursday, head coach Jon Cooper said he expects to have defenseman Matthew Carle and forwards Valtteri Filppula and Tyler Johnson ready to go.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @lastwordBkerr. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter –@LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Interested in writing for LWOS? We are looking for enthusiastic, talented writers to join our Hockey writing team. Visit our “Write for Us” page for very easy details in how you can get started today!
