Tampa Bay Lightning's defenseman Mattias Ohlund out indefinitely after knee surgery -NHL News Update
Tampa Bay Lightning lost their veteran defenseman, Mattias Ohlund, after the 35-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery on both of his knees and is reported to be out for at least six-weeks, marking his return in mid-November or even later depending on how his situation progresses.
The news was confirmed after the Tampa Bay club released a press release on Tuesday, October 11, in which general manager, Steve Yzerman, made the announcement.
"He was showing a little bit of improvement", GM, Steve Yzerman, told the Tampa Tribune about Ohlund's condition thus far. "But he said it just didn't feel right and figured that if he was going to be out a little bit, let's take that time and use it as wisely as possible, clean up whatever is in there irritating'.
The veteran defender was placed on injured reserve before the new 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season kicked off due to continuous nagging in his knees when he participated in the preseason.
Ohlund, a big playmaker for the team had similar problems before the previous season began and missed 10 matchups to participate in 72 but managing to score only five points, which were all assists.
Since Ohlund was a top contributor in terms of penalty minutes due to his physical style of play, Tampa Bay head coach, Guy Boucher thinks that it will take time to adjust after suffering such a sentimental loss on the line-up.
"All I know is we've got a guy that plays against the top lines that we don't have”, Boucher said, which makes Tampa Bay's future a little more uncertain.
Drafted as the 13th overall pick during round-one of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by Vancouver Canucks, Mattias Ohlund played 11 seasons with his original draft team until being signed on by Tampa Bay Lightning prior to the 2009-2010 regular season.
Having him back on the line-up later on in the season will allow Tampa Bay Lightning put up bigger penalty numbers and play a more physical game.
According to doctors, the player may be able to return back on the Tampa Bay line-up as soon as he clears up, which even may be before the announced recovery time.
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