Update: Lightning's Stamkos cleared for (light) contact

UPDATE:  Team physicians have cleared Stamkos for light contact, but have not dully cleared him for practice.  Stamkos was spotted wearing the yellow practice jersey at Saturday morning's skate.

"He's getting better every day, but there are lots of things that have to go on still.  He hasn't been cleared and he's still a ways away from being cleared. He hasn't done any battling. It's just the process that is slowly going on here. But, in saying that, when you take the minimum-maximum of what the injury was, he's closer to coming in at the minimum time frame than the maximum time frame, so that's good for all of us." - Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper

Original article:

The National Hockey League's best feel-good story is getting even better.

Tampa Bay Lightning centerman Steven Stamkos addressed the media on Thursday morning after skating with his teammates as they prepared to host the Ottawa Senators tonight at Tampa Bay Times Forum, and was even more upbeat than usual.

"I thought Today was the best it's felt," Stamkos said of his right leg. "That's a positive. Every day I've gotten on the ice trying to get a little better each time."

Stamkos' amazing recovery from a broken tibia suffered 10 weeks ago when he slid hard into the goal mount at TD Garden in Boston has been well documented, but Thursday he delved into the psychological hurdles that accompany the recovery from such a devastating injury.

"A lot of it is physical but a lot of it is mental as well, trying different things that you can trust the healing process is taking place." Stamkos remarked, "I have never had an injury like this, but I'd like to think that I'm ahead. I'm feeling good. I know I'm not 100 percent, but it's getting there."

Stamkos is honored that he was selected to the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team, particularly being injured - and listening to the passion in his voice tells one that he will be ready to play for his country, and even get a few "practice" games in before hand.

"February was a target date," Stamkos said of returning to the Tampa Bay lineup before taking off for the Sochi Games, "We've got a couple of games before the break and I'd love to be able to come back and play."

The Lightning have the Senators and Avalanche at home - where the team has unfortunately lost six straight - before heading out for a four-game roadie.  Stamkos most likely will be ready to return to the ice when the team returns to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 6th and then the Detroit Red Wings two days later before the league breaks for the Olympic Games.

 http://www.sportsinjuryalert.com/2014/01/update-lightnings-stamkos-cleared-for.html