Lightning forward Steven Stamkos sidelined indefinitely with MCL tear
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced Wednesday that forward Steven Stamkos will be out indefinitely after sustaining a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee during Tuesday’s game in Detroit.
Stamkos was hurt in the first period of the Lightning’s 4-3 win in an apparent collision with Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist.
"We are in the process of evaluating options for repair and rehabilitation and will release more information as it becomes available,” Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman said in a statement.
Stamkos, who signed a blockbuster eight-year deal worth an annual average value of $8.5 million per season, has nine goals and 11 assists in 17 games on the season. The four-time 40-goal scorer was sidelined in April by a blood clot discovered near his right collarbone, but returned for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Tampa Bay, one of the favorites to come out of the East, currently sits third in the Atlantic Division at 10-6-1 heading into Thursday’s matchup against the Sabres in Buffalo.