Stamkos insists he "hopes to be back" in a Lightning uniform next season, reports the Tampa Bay Times. The Lightning has reportedly offered him an eight-year deal with an $8.5 million annual average.

EDGE Analysis

There haven't been any conversations between general manager Steve Yzerman and Stammer's agents at Newport Sports since before the trade deadline. Despite that reported eight-year deal with an $8.5 million annual average, he has still not put ink on paper. Stamkos insists that any assertion the NHLPA is pressuring him to strike a bigger deal this summer is "completely false," but there have been suggestions he could earn as much as $10-11 million a season. At this point, there's little incentive for Stamkos to sign a deal until July 1 and that may actually fit the team's plans anyway -- it has several other players it needs to sign in the next few years.

Stamkos returned from his upper-body injury Thursday night, logging 11:55 of ice time in the Game 7 loss to the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos was a surprise activation in this one. While he came up empty with two shots on goal and a minus-1 rating, his working so hard just to be able to play speaks volumes about his love for the game and willingness to do everything in his power to overcome a blood clot issue and get back on the ice for the first time in the postseason. Stamkos is a pending unrestricted free agent and there's bound to be a lot of coverage this summer concerning the next step for one of the league's biggest stars.

Stamkos (upper body) will return to the lineup for Thursday's pivotal Game 7 against the Penguins, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's a somewhat strange turn of events, as Stamkos told reporters there had been "no status change" in his health Thursday morning, effectively ruling himself out of Game 7. It isn't clear how big of a role Stamkos will play in Thursday evening's contest, but he skated alongside Ondrej Palat and Ryan Callahan during line rushes in pregame warmups. Fantasy owners hoping to use the star forward in daily contests should remember that the star forward hasn't seen game action since Mar. 31, and will surely need time to adjust to the blistering pace of playoff hockey. Either way, the Lightning will hope the return of their captain will help propel them past the Penguins and into the Stanley Cup Finals.

Stamkos (upper body) told reporters there has been "no status change" in his health and ruling himself out for Game 7 on Thursday against the Penguins, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite initial indications that Stamkos was going to be able to return during the Eastern Conference Finals, he will instead sit out his 23rd consecutive game dating back to March 31. To be fair, the 26-year-old's return to the lineup would likely provide only an emotional boost to his teammates and fans as he is surely not up to game speed after failing to play in almost two months. At this point, fantasy owners should probably look to next season as far as a possible return goes even if the Lightning advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Stamkos (upper body) said he experienced his "best day yet on ice" Tuesday, but added that his status hasn't changed for the evening's Game 6 against the Penguins, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Lightning have a chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals on Tuesday, and it appears that they'll be without Stammer yet again. A win would be huge for Stamkos and company, not only because it would mean they'd reach the Cup finals for the second straight year, but also because it could buy extra time for the star to finally get healthy. It's been reported that once Stamkos is given medical clearance to stop using blood thinners, his return would then be imminent.

Stamkos' (upper body) status hasn't changed, indicating he will once again sit out as the Bolts prepare for Game 5 Sunday against the Penguins, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos was on the ice again for practice Sunday but stayed on well past his teammates. Considering his condition, the timetable remains unclear. While the star forward will take aim at potentially playing in Game 6, there's no indication anything will be different for that contest.

Stamkos (upper body) said he will not play in Game 4 against the Penguins on Friday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

As one of the top players in the NHL, Stamkos has no shortage of fantasy owners pulling for him to get healthy and return to game ice. But the superstar himself told reporters Thursday that he felt there was only a five percent chance that he would lace up for Game 4. With Stammer out and the Lightning down 2-1 in the conference finals, the team desperately needs Nikita Kucherov to rediscover the goal-scoring magic he showcased in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Stamkos (upper body) told reporters his chances of playing in Game 4 on Friday was a mere five percent, Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The outlook for Stamkos returning seems to be getting bleaker rather than improving as the postseason carries on. If the center is unable to return, it could signal the end of his time in Tampa Bay as he will be a free agent at the end of the year and was the source of persistent trade rumors leading up to the trade deadline. Until he can suit up for a game, fantasy owners will want to be cautious about retaining the 26-year-old for the 2016-17 campaign as blood clot issues are notoriously difficult to treat and overcome.

Stamkos (upper body) will watch Game 3 from the sidelines as he continues to battle a blood clot issue, Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Stamkos has consistently been skating with the team, there has yet to be any change to his status that has kept him out of the lineup for the last 18 contests. With how long the center has been out, he will likely need to shake of some rust if he can return to the ice during the Eastern Conference Finals. Yet his regular season production, 36 goals and 28 assists, would make him worth a look for daily lineups.

Stamkos (upper body) will remain sidelined for Game 2 on Monday against Pittsburgh, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos continues to tell reporters he is nearing a return, however there has yet to be any change to his medications addressing a blood clot issues that would allow him to suit up. The 26-year-old's reintroduction to the lineup would certainly be an emotional boost to the team, but his ability to contribute will be in question since he has not been on the ice for a game since March 31. Look for the team to provide an update on his status once there is something new to report.