Cooper: Stamkos out indefinitely, but 'injuries are unpredictable'

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper provided an update Friday on injured star Steven Stamkos, indicating his return isn't imminent but emphasizing the situation could change.

"Injuries are unpredictable, and if there's somebody that's working harder than him, I have not seen it in trying to get back," Cooper said, according to team reporter Bryan Burns. "He's rehabbing. Our staff has been working with him on a daily basis, and in situations like this, you never know."

Cooper confirmed that Stamkos will not play in Tampa Bay's third and final round-robin game Saturday and added that the forward remains out indefinitely.

The 30-year-old suffered a lower-body injury during Phase 2 of the league's return-to-play plan. He's managed to join some practices and skate on his own since.

Stamkos recorded 29 goals and 37 assists in 59 games during the 2019-20 season.