Lightning's Steven Stamkos: On reported recovery schedule, but concerns are rising

The Lightning have not set a return date for Stamkos, who remains on schedule to come back in mid-March, but there is concern that they shouldn't push the center to return this season if they are not in playoff contention, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:

Stamkos has been doing off-ice and pool workouts, but he hasn't skated with the team yet. If his recovery is similar to that of Zach Parise -- who underwent the same procedure at the same age in November 2010 -- it could take a month from the time he began skating on his own to return. Parise took five months to recover and wasn't completely himself until the next season; he's never returned to the goal, assist or point totals of the two seasons before he had the procedure. There are no alarm bells going off for Stamkos right now, but this is important information for keeper leaguers who need to weigh roster and value decisions carefully.