The Lightning played their short-lived 2025 playoff schedule against the Panthers with an extremely banged-up roster (more on that later). One player who wasn’t available at all during the series was trade deadline acquisition Oliver Bjorkstrand. Speaking today during his end-of-season media availability, general manager Julien BriseBois said Bjorkstrand developed compartment syndrome following a game against the Red Wings on April 11 and had emergency surgery early the following morning (via the team’s Benjamin Pierce).
That’s obviously a much more serious ailment than what the Bolts initially let on. He was declared week-to-week with a lower-body injury ahead of their final three regular-season games, but no information was dispensed following that. Acute compartment syndrome occurs due to increased pressure in and around muscles following an injury and can be life-threatening if not treated quickly, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Bjorkstrand is thankfully expected to be ready for training camp in the fall, BriseBois said. He finished the year with 5-4–9 in 18 games after Tampa acquired him from the Kraken, and he has one year left on his deal at a $5.4MM cap hit.
More on the Lightning:
- Brandon Hagel confirmed he sustained a concussion on the hit from Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad in Game 4 that ended his series, Jay Recher relays. Ekblad was suspended two games for the hit and will miss Game 1 of the second round against Toronto as a result. Hagel, who was limited to a minus-four rating in three games of the series due to his injury and a previous suspension, added that Ekblad didn’t approach him beforehand to discuss a retaliatory fight for Hagel’s suspension-causing hit on Florida captain Aleksander Barkov, nor has Ekblad reached out to Hagel following his concussion. “I would have answered the bell if someone would have said, ’Let’s fight,'” Hagel said. “I don’t care if I would have got my ass kicked. I have to respond to a situation. I understood it was the case” (via Loux).
- Captain Victor Hedman played the last two games of the series on a broken foot, BriseBois said (via Diandra Loux of The Hockey News). He’ll be ready for camp in the fall after recording three assists and a minus-six rating in the series.
- Other Bolts playing through injuries were Anthony Cirelli (Grade 2 MCL sprain), Luke Glendening (right shoulder AC joint separation), Nikita Kucherov (left hand extensor), Nick Paul (left wrist tear), and Yanni Gourde (broken finger), Brisebois told reporters. Like Bjorkstrand and Hedman, they’re all expected to be ready for training camp in the fall, although Glendening and Gourde are pending unrestricted free agents and may not be back with the team.
- BriseBois confirmed a report last month from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet that they’re unlikely to sign 2022 first-round pick Isaac Howard to an entry-level contract (via Recher). They’ll focus on trading his signing rights over the next year while he returns to Michigan State for his senior season. If they can’t sign or trade the Hobey Baker winner’s rights by Aug. 15, 2026, and he becomes an unrestricted free agent, the Lightning will receive a compensatory 2027 second-round pick (No. 65 overall) for failing to sign a first-round draft choice.
- Head coach Jon Cooper will serve out the final season of his contract in Tampa despite recent speculation otherwise, BriseBois said (via Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times). “When this contract ends, my expectation is he’s going sign another one and he’s going to be here…So Coop will be back next year, and I expect beyond,” BriseBois said.
I’ve heard the exit interviews which are always interesting & informative.
Based on the ridiculous amount of rather serious injuries & even a life threatening injury to Bjorkstrand. It’s surprising this team was able to remotely function going into the playoffs & it showed why they weren’t anywhere nearly as effective as they were prior to the playoffs. The injury bug really piled up on Tampa this go around unfortunately. It happens sometimes. Injuries happen to all teams but some teams get it worse then others.
Tampa won’t have a problem finding a trade partner in trading Isaac Howard’s rights. There will be plenty of teams who will want to get control of his rights before he hits the open market next summer. The 2025 Draft will be the first stop at trading his rights.
As for Jon Cooper staying & hearing from various sources on the situation, keeping Cooper seems like the right move. A number of pundits who know Cooper personally, say, this is a challenge for him to get Tampa over the hump & he won’t sit around during the summer as he’ll be working on how to get this team back to the promised land. Cooper was doubted at one time in the past as not being able to win the Cup especially after the 2018 season. This organization will break through as history shows they will. Cooper needs to get Derek Lalonde back for starters.
And for Hagel, he was willing to fight but no one came to him but instead in Panther fashion, Ekblad decides to do a dirty hit to the head on him instead. Lowball move by Ekblad but not surprised the way they operate.
Many teams wont trade for Howards rights as he wont sign with them either, he has a spot or a few spots picked out already. This is not about the money.
Howard may have a few ideas where he might want to go & such (though he hasn’t been specific publicly about it) but the reality is, it’s up to those teams if they even want him to start with. Howard has some say but it’s not all his say, believe it or not. Howard, furthermore, has to be careful as well, in not making himself difficult to work with because his so-called plans could hurt him & his career before it even starts. Also, yes, money did play a part in him not signing with Tampa (there are several different reasons why he isn’t joining Tampa). Money is a part of the equation, don’t let that fool yeah.
Preds asst. GM Jeff Kealty is the GM of the USA Worlds Championship team and Howard is on the roster. Let’s talk, kid! :)
The Flyers should offer one of their middle First Rounders for Howard’s rights. He would automatically be in the lineup on opening night.
Would Howard sign there? He has his plans, it wont be up to the teams where he plays.
Bolts need major changes regardless of those injuries. The lack of depth and physicality was obvious.
The Dolts are sawfft