For the first time since having his right knee scoped on Nov. 17, Stamkos -- who had been working in limited capacity for three weeks -- was able to practice fully Friday, NHL.com's Corey Long reports.

EDGE Analysis

While that's a solid milestone for Tampa Bay's captain in his quest to return to game action, coach Jon Cooper indicated that "by no means does this [mean Stamkos'] return is imminent." That's a notion Stamkos echoes. "[I will be back] when I feel 100 percent, obviously that's not the case yet," Stamkos acknowledged Friday. "I can't pick a date because I might not feel 100 percent on that date. I've gone through stuff like this before. You start setting dates, that's when sometimes you set unrealistic goals. When I feel 100 percent I'll be back playing. I want that to be sooner than later, but that's how these injuries go"

Stamkos (knee) said he has no timetable for his return, Lightning Insider reports.

EDGE Analysis

The stud playmaker wouldn't say whether he expects to return before the end of the 2016-17 campaign, but did add that he's been pleased with his progress. He's four months into his rehab with Tampa Bay having only 12 games to play on the regular-season schedule; the team is on the outside looking into the playoffs.

Stamkos (knee) has reached the four-month mark in his four-to-six month recovery from surgery, but his return is not imminent, reports the Tampa Times.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos has been skating and shooting, but he has not shed the no-contact jersey. "The one way I guess to make sure he may play is to get into the playoffs," said Bolts' coach Jon Cooper. There are 13 games left in the regular season.

Stamkos (knee) has been active for two consecutive morning skates, NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

At this point, we're wondering when Stamkos will be ready for full contact -- or better yet, when he'll return. That's actually the $1.74 million question, with such a figure representing his remaining daily cap hit this season, according to Cap Friendly. A blood clot issue limited Stamkos to one playoff game last season, and he effectively put that behind him only to suffer this significant knee injury in mid-November. Before the latest ailment, though, he'd turned in 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in just 17 games. There doesn't seem to be much time left to buy low on Stamkos in fantasy leagues, so consider going after the star pivot while he rounds out his recovery.

Stamkos (knee) participated in a full team skate Wednesday, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's not abundantly clear whether this means that Stammer has been taking contact, but it at least implies that the fantasy star hasn't been limited in his skating. While Tampa Bay's chances of making the playoffs are slim, the hope is that team captain can return by mid-March and extend the Bolts' 2016-17 campaign; he's been out of action since sustaining the ailment Nov. 15.

Stamkos (knee) joined an optional skate Monday morning and may play this season, reports Joe Smith of the Tampa Tribune.

EDGE Analysis

It was Stamkos' first time back on the ice with teammates. He did two-on-one drills, took one-timers and looked comfortable skating. "Everything about his rehab is moving along very well," general manager Steve Yzerman said. "There's no complications. He feels good. It's about allowing the injury to heal and getting his conditioning back and all that takes time. I don't have an exact timetable [for his return]." Mid-March is the four-month point in his rehab; the original timeline was four-to-six months.

Stamkos (knee) is on track to return, but remains within the original 4-to-6 month timeline, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos has resumed skating on his own and is beginning to work on various stick handling activities, but has yet to get on the ice with his teammates. The center will need to rejoin the Lightning for practice before he will be cleared to return, with the next step likely to be suiting up in a non-contact jersey. The early end of the 27-year-old's timeframe would have him back in mid-March, but it could be as late as mid-May, which would all but rule out seeing any regular-season action and the playoffs are in no way a guarantee for Tampa this year.

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.

Stamkos (knee) is walking without crutches and riding the exercise bike, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

EDGE Analysis

The no-crutches sighting Monday after the team practiced was a great sign -- the team could use an emotional boost and it signals the Stammer's rehab is progressing on target. Stamkos is expected to miss four months, putting his earliest return in mid-March.

Stamkos (knee) is still on crutches and working on his rehabilitation in Tampa, reports the Tampa Tribune. There have been no official updates on his recovery.

EDGE Analysis

Thursday will mark the six-week mark since his surgery and it will take at least another month for him to begin skating. Still, Stamkos appears on his original timeline, which was four-to-six months. He will start progressive weight bearing at some point around the six week mark and his surgeon is confident Stamkos will have a full recovery if "we wait until four months" to return.