Steven Stamkos to undergo surgery to remove blood clot, out 1-3 months

Steven Stamos from the Tampa Bay Lightning will be out 1-3 months with a blood clot in his arm.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be without star forward Steven Stamkos for at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. Stamkos will undergo surgery to remove a blood clot that will keep him sidelined for the next one to three months.

In a statement to the media released by the Lightning, Stamkos expressed is his disappointed at not being able to play during the playoffs.

"“Obviously this situation is extremely disappointing because I wanted to help my team clinch a playoff spot and prepare for the start of the postseason,” Stamkos said. “During my recovery I will do all I can to help my teammates, and I hope to rejoin them soon in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”"

The Lightning made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final last year and were looking to make another deep run this time around. But now the team is without two key players. Stamkos, who is their leading scorer with 36 goals and 64 games, and top defenseman, Anton Stralman. He fractured his leg and is out for the playoffs.

With the Lightning needing added depth right now as they fight with the Florida Panthers for top spot in the Atlantic Division, Tampa Bay will look to its AHL club to fill the holes. Not usually newsworthy, but in the Lightning’s case, it may mean that they will have to call up Jonathan Drouin. After being sent down, demanding a trade, and then refusing to report to the AHL, Drouin could end up back in the NHL at the most important time of the year.

This timetable for Stamkos’ injury also raises questions as to if the forward has played his final game in a Lightning jersey. Set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, it is expected that Stamkos will test the open market, and possibly end up signing with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. But Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman is still confident that Stamkos could re-sign in Tampa.