Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman expects forward Steven Stamkos to be ready for training camp, and the start of the season. The Bolts open their season October 6th against in-state rivals Florida Panthers.
Yzerman Expects Steven Stamkos Ready For Training Camp
Over the past four seasons, the Markham, Ontario native Stamkos has missed a minimum of 115 games due to injury. In November of 2016, the 27-year-old forward had surgery to deal with a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. This operation forced Stamkos out for a good portion of the season.
According to agent Mark Guy, “He’s doing great. No issues.”
Before the injury took place, Stamkos recorded nine goals and 11 assists.
Minnesota Wild winger Zach Parise, who had the same surgery seven years ago, told the Tampa Bay Times, “It took me a year and a half to get back to feeling normal.”
General Manager Steve Yzerman
Yzerman had his hand on several moves that changed the Bolt’s squad.
First there was the blockbuster trade that involved Jonathan Drouin being sent to the Montreal Canadiens. This move saved cap space and in return, the Bolts acquired a young prospect — who is not guaranteed to be NHL ready — Mikhail Sergachev.
He also heavily invested in major deals that saw forwards Ondrej Palat sign a five-year contract, and Tyler Johnson sign a seven-year contract extension, in addition to adding veterans Dan Girardi from the New York Rangers and Chris Kunitz from back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Forward Steven Stamkos
Speculation surrounded the centre last season when rumors went around the Tampa Bay community that Stamkos could be possibly traded. The rumors intensified when Stamkos got married in Toronto, Ontario. Could he be starting his new life elsewhere with a potential new team?
No. The rumors were not true, and the Bolt’s organization certainly debunked those quick.
Stamkos was drafted 1st overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NHL draft by the Bolts. In his time with the Lightning, he’s appeared in 586 games and tallied up 321 goals along with 261 assists.
Will Stamkos Have An Impact?
Before the injury last season, Stamkos was having an outstanding start to the season.
It’s safe to say that he has a lot of unfinished business to take care of this season. Not only do the goals speak for itself, but the presence of the Bolt’s captain is remarkable. The awareness of and puck handling is sensational. He needs to pick up right where he left off in order to get the Lightning back to the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs and bring home another Stanley Cup, which would be the second in franchise history.
