Jon Cooper gives cryptic injury update on Victor Hedman just before puck drop
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
This afternoon, Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper provided a cryptic injury update on his captain Victor Hedman just before game one.
Heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman’s status has been incredibly uncertain due to injury.
Hedman was seen on the ice this morning for the team’s optional skate ahead of Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens.
Hedman’s presence on the ice caused further speculation on Hedman’s potential return timeline and whether or not he could play this afternoon.
Hedman last played March 19th against the Vancouver Canucks where he suffered an injury that to this point had kept him off of the ice entirely.
In a press conference after the skate, Jon Cooper spoke but created more questions than answers with his cryptic update.
Jon Cooper shares cryptic injury update on captain Victor Hedman just before puck drop
Cooper of course was asked about Hedman’s return to the ice and would not commit to a return timeline admitting Hedman could still be out several weeks.
We love seeing guys skate and stuff like that, but that still could mean they're three weeks away.
This response from Cooper set off panic amongst Lightning fans as many have assumed he would be back at some point during round one.
While Cooper could have just been exaggerating on Hedman’s case it seems he is not expected to be in the lineup this afternoon at the least.
As Hedman continues to recover and more updates emerge on his condition we will pass those updates along to you.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Lightning still have a huge Game 1 issue vs. Canadiens despite Victor Hedman skating
Lightning still have a huge Game 1 issue vs. Canadiens despite Victor Hedman skating