Lightning's Steven Stamkos: Progressing well

Stamkos (knee) is on track to return within his original 4-to-6-month timeline, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:

Stamkos has resumed skating on his own and is beginning to work on various stick-handling activities, but has yet to get on the ice with his teammates. The center will need to rejoin the Lightning for practice before he will be cleared to return, with the next step likely to be suiting up in a non-contact jersey. The early end of the 27-year-old's timeline would have him back in mid-March, but it could also be as late as mid-May, which would all but rule out Stamkos seeing any regular-season action -- and the playoffs are in no way a guarantee for Tampa this year.