Joel Vermin played only one shift Monday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets before leaving the game. During the game, it was reported that he went to the hospital for medical attention. Today the Lightning announced in a press release that Vermin had successful surgery on his hand and will return to action in 6-8 weeks.
LIGHTNING’S VERMIN HAS SUCCESSFUL HAND SURGERY, OUT 6-8 WEEKS
TAMPA BAY – Tampa Bay Lightning forward Joel Vermin has undergone success hand surgery after blocking a shot during the Lightning’s win on Monday versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced. Vermin is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.
A native of Bern, Switzerland, Vermin has played in six games with the Bolts after making his NHL debut on November 19 against the New York Rangers. He recorded his first NHL point with an assist on November 21 against the Anaheim Ducks.
Vermin had played fairly well in his initial five game call up before being returned to the Syracuse Crunch. He was promoted to the NHL again along with Yanni Gourde as Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Jonathan Drouin all succumbed to injury again. Vermin’s injury caused the Lightning to play with 10 forwards for a second game in a row as Palat had been lost during last Saturday’s game against the Washington Capitals while the Bolts were playing with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen. The club had used that alignment again on Monday night and lost Vermin right away.
Presumably once he returns to health, Vermin will be returned to Syracuse unless the team still needs him for injury replacements if it cannot shake this curse that seems to have fallen upon the forwards this year.
