Steven Stamkos feels good. And that's the worst part.
After having surgery in early April to remove a blood clot, Stamkos skated with his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates Tuesday, but while he's nearing game shape, he has no idea when that game will be played.
"It could be weeks. It could be months," Stamkos said, ESPN's Joe McDonald reports. "That's the tough part."
Stamkos watched his team drop Game 1 against the New York Islanders on Wednesday, but he's on blood thinners, and that means there's almost no chance he plays in the second round. There's officially no timetable for his return, though he could return quickly after getting off the medication, which he's taking twice a day, according to Sportsnet's Arash Madani.
"That's why I'm trying to stay in shape," Stamkos said. "I wait it out, I work in the gym, I work on the ice and wait for the doctors to tell me what's next."
It's a bit of a helpless situation for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Like every other hockey player, this is the time of year Stamkos dreams about. But the Lightning aren't waiting for him to come back. They must play on without him.
"That's the frustrating part," Stamkos added. "When you're hurt with a broken hand or broken leg, you can't get out there and play because your body can't function properly. My body feels pretty good."
Game 2 between the Lightning and Islanders goes Saturday at 3 p.m. in Tampa Bay. Stamkos will be watching, of course, and wishing.
