Jon Cooper Reveals Top Forward Will Miss the First Round of the Playoffs vs Panthers

The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to take on the Florida Panthers for the 2nd straight year in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

However, the Lightning are already at a considerable disadvantage in terms of injuries. Head coach Jon Cooper announced that forward Oliver Bjordkstrang, whom his club acquired from the Seattle Kraken at last month's Trade Deadline, is unavailable because of a lower body injury.

He was hurt during Tampa's 4-3 OT loss to the divisional foe Detroit Red Wings last week and hasn't played since.

The timing of the injury was especially unfortunate, as Cooper explained last week, considering the role that Bjorkstrand had carved out for himself with the Lightning since arriving via trade from the Kraken.

He finished the year with 46 points (21G, 25A) in 79 games between the Kraken and Lightning.

Tampa Bay acquired Bjorkstrand from the Kraken in return for Michael Eyssimont, a conditional 1st round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and the 2027 NHL Draft, and a 2nd round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Additionally, the Lightning acquired former Stanley Cup-winning forward Yanni Gourde from the Kraken; the Red Wings were also involved in the trade, initially picking up Gourde and retaining half of his salary before immediately sending him to Tampa Bay.