The Lightning have not set a return date for Stamkos, who remains on schedule for a mid-March return date. But there is concern in Tampa Bay that the team should not push the center to return this season if they are not in playoff contention, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos has been doing off-ice and pool workouts, but has not skated with the team yet. If his recovery is similar to that of Zach Parise, who underwent the same procedure at the same age in Nov. 2010, it could take a month from the time he began skating on his own to return. Parise took five months to recover and wasn't completely himself until the next season. And he has never returned to the same goal, assist or point totals of the two seasons before he had the procedure. There are no alarm bells going off for Stamkos right now, but this is important information for keeper leaguers who need to weigh roster and value decisions carefully.