Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos was back on the ice Tuesday and told Lightning.com the leg he broke last season is "nearly 100 percent" and that he is pleased with how his recovery is progressing, especially with more than four weeks of preparation time remaining until the regular season begins.
The injury forced Stamkos to miss 45 regular season games and though he returned late in the season, he wasn't completely healthy.
Stamkos is optimistic about his recovery, and also about the team the Lightning will put on the ice starting at their season opener Oct. 9.
"We've gained a lot of new guys -- great guys -- and we brought in a lot of veterans. We have a young core now, and in a sense we have a changing of the guard."
As team captain, Stamkos understands that expectations for the team and for himself have been raised, and he is excited for the challenge.
