According to a statement from the organization, Andrei Vasilevskiy, who underwent successful surgery to treat a lumbar disc herniation in his back, will be out of action for a significant amount of time for the Tampa Bay Lightning. As a result, Vasilevskiy is predicted to miss the first two months of the regular season in 2023–24.
Since making his NHL debut for the Lightning during the 2014–15 season, Vasileveskiy has been a force in goal. He has compiled a 263-123-28 record with the team, including aiding Tampa Bay in winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. While earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason MVP during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Vasilevskiy also earned the Vezina Trophy as the league’s finest goalkeeper in 2019.
Vasilevskiy just completed the 2022–23 season with a record of 34–22–4, a goals-against average of 2.65, a save percentage of.915, and four shutouts.
There is now a lot of uncertainty around Vasilevskiy and the Lightning. Jonas Johansson and Hugo Alnefelt are the two goalies that are anticipated to be on the team. Johannson, 28, has played for various NHL clubs, including the Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers. His career goals-against average is 3.35. Alnefelt, meanwhile, has participated in just one NHL game in his career, which occurred during the 2021–22 season. He faced the Panthers for a period during which he allowed three goals.
Throughout the 2022–23 season, Brian Elliott, a seasoned goaltender, was Tampa Bay’s backup to Vasilevskiy. Elliott is a free agent, but the Lightning could sign him due to their relationship.
