Tampa Bay Lightning captain and star winger Steven Stamkos has been diagnosed with a blood clot in his arm, general manager Steve Yzerman announced Saturday.
He will undergo vascular surgery Monday and miss one-to-three months.
"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 in a statement. "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."
Stamkos, who leads the Lightning with 36 goals and 64 points, did not practice with the team Friday and was ruled out of Saturday's win over New Jersey with what was called an upper-body injury.
The reigning Eastern Conference champions are already without defenseman Anton Stralman, but Yzerman is trying to stay positive.
"For us, it's an opportunity for others," Yzerman said. "It's something we'll have to rally around."
If Stamkos is indeed out for the full three months, that rules him out of the Stanley Cup playoffs and brings him to July 2, the day after he's set to become an unrestricted free agent.
On if Stamkos might have played last game in TB, #tblightning Yzerman said the hope is still to sign Stamkos to a long-term extension.
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) April 3, 2016
The good news is he's expected to make a full recovery.
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