BOSTON -- Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said he won't return to the lineup until he's 100 percent.
The 27-year-old forward has been sidelined since having surgery on Nov. 17 to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. He's been practicing with the team and described his progress as "slow," but he feels he's getting closer.
"When I'm 100 percent, I'll be back," Stamkos said after the team's morning skate Thursday at TD Garden. "Obviously, you hope that's sooner than later, but I have no control of the healing that goes on in the process.