Following a medical evaluation on Wednesday, Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman delivered the announcement that forward Steven Stamkos has not been medically cleared to return to game participation. As a result, the star center will not return to Tampa’s line up this weekend and will not play with Team Canada at the Winter Games in Sochi.
Steve Yzerman told the Official Lightning site:
“After reviewing the CT scan this afternoon, Dr. Gutentag made it clear to me and to Steven that the tibia is not completely healed and therefore he should not be participating in game action at any time in the near future. Although the doctor was very pleased to this point with the healing process, he explained that the callus surrounding the fracture site is not 100 percent consolidated, and Steven will not be cleared to play in a game until that happens. It was a pretty clear cut decision, no gray areas at all.”
Steven said the following in a statement:
“Today is obviously very disappointing for me,” Stamkos said. “I honestly believe that we did everything possible in order to have my injured leg ready in time for the Olympics, but I realize you can’t force healing. I know, in the best interest of my long term health, I cannot represent Canada in Sochi, as much as I would like to. I would like to thank the training staff for their dedication and hard work and I look forward to returning to the Lightning once cleared by the medical team.”
Stamkos has been participating in team practices and even in come contact drills without experiencing pain in his leg. With his return delayed, he will continue rehabbing with the Lightning trainers and be reevaluated in two to three weeks in hopes of playing on February 27 vs. Nashville.. (Photo/ Sue Ferlita)
Stamkos will hold a press conference on Thursday following the Bolts morning skate.
GM and Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman stated that a decision on a replacement for Stamkos is expected in the next 48 hours. Lightning captain Martin St. Louis is under consideration, along with a host of others including James Neal, Claude Giroux and Eric Staal. Canada opens the tournament next Thursday vs. Norway. The team’s first practice is scheduled for Monday.
“I truly wanted stammer to play in the Olympics, I really did . . . you cheer for your guys for this to happen and that’s the part that I’m really sad for,’’ coach Jon Cooper said. “But I guess in the end, this whole scenario was black-and-white; are you healthy enough to play or are you not. Right now he is not healthy enough to play and unfortunately for Stammer and Team Canada he won’t be able to go.’’
“There is no setback that’s one thing we want to make clear,’’ Steve Yzerman said. “(The doctors) were very pleased with what they see at this point. They are very happy with what he’s doing and functioning on the ice and off the ice, how the fracture looks, the bone healing, they couldn’t be happier. They admire how hard Steven has pushed and it has helped the process. But there’s only so much you can do. This takes time and unfortunately it’s going to take more than 12 weeks.’’
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