Stamkos status changed to day-to-day, but is that Thursday? Saturday?

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
March 29, 2017

TAMPA, Fla. – Steven Stamkos experienced another break-through day.

Now, the Lightning captain is day-to-day.

That’s how his return to the lineup is now measured – in days.

But what day?


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Less than two weeks since returning to full practices, Stamkos had his most extensive practice session with the team since undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his right knee on Nov. 17.

With just 12 healthy forwards – Joel Vermin was reassigned to Syracuse on Tuesday – Stamkos took part in full line rushes, skating on wing with Adam Erne and Yanni Gourde (holding the spot vacated by Vermin) and took part in all drills. That included jumping in to power play practice, working with the second unit, his first full work on the power play.

”Today was a really good skate for me,’’ Stamkos said. “To just be on a line, not so much for a line sake, but to be involved in every play in practice and to get some reps on the power play and feel that process out. That was nice to see today.

“It’s progressing really well. Everything has gone according to plan. You just want to keep progressing everyday and feeling comfortable and confidence on the ice. Today was probably the best day yet. I’m feeling better since the last time we talked and feeling better every day.’’

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper indicated a return to the lineup for Stamkos is now on the near horizon.

”I feel with Stammer we can start putting him in the day-to-day category right now,’’ Cooper said. “I don’t see him playing against Detroit, but after that I would say it’s getting really close.’’

There is no date for Stamkos to get back in to the lineup, but not even Thursday against Detroit has been totally ruled out, which means a return appears imminent, with the end of this weekend – Tampa Bay has back-to-back home against Montreal and Dallas on Saturday and Sunday, respectively – likely to be the next time the captain gets back on the ice.

”It’s as close as I’ve been,’’ Stamkos said. “I’m not going to put any dates on anything but I’m just very pleased and excited with how it’s feeling. I’m very optimistic about being able to get where I need to be sooner rather than later.’’

Would he completely rule on a return on Thursday against Detroit?

”I think so, unless something drastically changes,’’ he said. “

When he’s ready to return, he’ll know. Where the team sits in the standings won’t have any impact on the decision.

”Having gone through a couple (previous injuries) you know when you’re ready,’’ Stamkos said. “Obviously the competitive nature that I have I want to be out there regardless but I’m a realist and you don’t want to be a liability this time of year. I want to go in and be the player I know I can be to help this team win. I want to be out there as badly as anyone but I want to make sure that the injury is a non-factor and secondly that I can go out there and be a difference on the ice.’’

As Stamkos went through practice on Wednesday, particularly with only 12 forwards on the ice, it looked more and more like there was a good chance Stamkos would be ready to return on Thursday. As recently as Tuesday, it was suggested that Stamkos was itching to get back in against the Red Wings – and again, it hasn’t been totally ruled out.

Either way, Stamkos is itching to get back.

”I think you know me well enough to know that I want to be out there at all times and be a difference maker,’’ Stamkos said. “It’s hard this time of year not to be involved but the guys have played great as of late. Just being around a lot more in the past couple of weeks and competing in practice gives me the itch for sure. I want to get back as soon as possible. But nothing changes in regards to me needed to feel the way I want in order to play my game out there. It’s been progressing well and I’m really excited about the way it’s going.’’

Cooper said he expects to have the same lineup against Detroit that played on Monday against Chicago, indicating that Vermin or somebody else will be called up before the puck drops on Thursday.Update: Vermin was called up late Wednesday afternoon.

But getting Stamkos involved in more and more drills will help whenever he’s ready to return.

”There is nothing you can really replicate in skating and getting bumped, your one-timer, all those things that made him the player he is, you have to get back in the flow,’’ Cooper said. “It’s not like he missed a couple of weeks, this is months he’s been out. I know he’s slowly getting back, but where to put passes, where to take them, catching stuff on your backhand at full speed, eventually you have to do that when somebody is hounding you. He’s been taking some positive steps all this way, but it was good to get him out there, like on a power play breakout, where do I go, just different things you have to put him back in so we did a lot of that today and we are just inching toward an opportunity here.’’

Now it’s just a matter of waiting and seeing when exactly No. 91 will walk down the tunnel and lead the team out on to the ice. Thursday? Seems unlikely. Saturday?