Major Update on Andrei Vasilevskiy Following Surgery

Andrei Vasilevskiy had a major back surgery just before the start of the season. Today we got an update on his status.

Andrei Vasilevskiy was expected to be out until late November due to his back surgery. Today Lightning head coach Jon Cooper gave an update to his return timeline.

With Vasilevskiy returning by Thanksgiving the Lightning will get much much-needed boost to their goaltending depth. However, his return will create a whole new problem for the organization going forward.

Currently, the Tampa Bay Lightning have 5 healthy goalies in their organization without Vasilevskiy. They have Jonas Johansson and Matt Tomkins in the NHL. They also have Hugo Alnefelt, Pyotr Kochetkov, and Evan Fitzpatrick.

With Fitzpatrick likely to go to the ECHL upon Vasilevskiy's return that still leaves three goalies in the AHL. All three are deserving of playing time but one will be left scratched.

Both Alnefelt and Kochetkov are young prospects. However, Kochetkov belongs to the Carolina Hurricanes which could mean the Lightning don't care to play him.

Once Vasilevskiy returns the Lightning will have big decisions to make when spreading out the playing time for their goalies at all levels.

As Read On - Raw Charge - Lightning Round: Andrei Vasilevskiy is progressing well in his rehab

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