TAMPA, Fla. – The Lightning will be without goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy for what is expected to be the first two months of the upcoming season.
The team announced Thursday afternoon that the “Big Cat” underwent a back procedure – microdiscectomy – to alleviate problems resulting from a herniated disc.
The four-time Vezina finalist and 2018-19 winner of the trophy given to the league’s top goaltender, was a partial participant in the first week of training camp.
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Jonas Johansson will likely be the Bolts’ top goaltender in Vasilevskiy’s absence. The Lightning signed Johannson to a free-agent deal (two years, $775,000 per) in the off-season.
The 28-year-old has played bits and pieces of four seasons in the NHL with the Sabres, Avalanche (two stints), and Panthers. He is 11-13-4 with a GAA of 3.35 in 36 career games.
Other goaltenders on the roster include Hugo Alnefelt, who the Lightning drafted in the third round in 2019. The 22-year-old Swede went 17-12-2 with a 2.77 GAA and .904 save percentage with Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate at Syracuse last season. At least for now, do not expect a trade because of the Lightning’s lack of wiggle room with the salary cap.
The Lightning have five more preseason games remaining before opening the 2023-24 season at Amalie Arena on October 10 against Nashville.
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