News out of Minnesota today indicates that Steven Stamkos is eying Saturday as the day he wants to return to the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup. Stamkos, who has been rehabbing a broken leg since mid-November, took part in a team practice today and apparently felt as good as he’s felt since his surgery. The news is good for both the Lightning and for Canadian hockey fans, who desperately want to see the country’s best sniper suit up in Sochi.

Over the course of the last week, media prognosticators from all the major Canadian networks have speculated that the forward may not be ready for Sochi. Now, with news that Stamkos is slated to appear with the Lightning prior to the break, some of those predictions might change. If all goes according to plan, Stamkos will likely use Saturday’s game to see where he’s at before making a decision about the Olympics.

The fact that Stamkos’s recovery is ahead of schedule isn’t a secret. To say that he’s healed quickly would be an understatement. It’s honestly remarkable that we’re even talking about the Olympics as a possibility. If he doesn’t make it to Sochi, it won’t be for lack of effort. I’m hopeful that he will be healthy enough to make it to the Olympics and play for his country in what might be the last Games for NHL players. He deserves to play. Even so, I’m not totally certain that he’ll be ready.

Now, I’ll ask you.

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