Lightning's Brayden Point has 'significant' quadriceps tear, should be OK for training camp

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point went down with what was initially called a lower-body injury during Game 7 of the first-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 14 and remained sidelined until he returned for the opening two contests of the Stanley Cup Final versus the eventual-champion Colorado Avalanche. 

Point didn't take the ice again after Game 2 against Colorado, and it's now known why. 

Per Corey Long of the official NHL website, Point was diagnosed with a significant tear in his right quadriceps. The 26-year-old should be good to go for training camp in September. 

Point recorded 28 goals and 30 assists across 66 regular-season games in 2021-22 and then had two goals and two assists in fewer than seven full postseason matchups before the injury. He added an assist in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final but visibly wasn't the same force. 

"The guys did a great job to get there and they got me a chance to play in a couple games," Point explained about his recovery. "It was tough. But just watching the guys and seeing what they did and the effort they put in, it was a very special bunch."

Point added that he didn't worsen the injury by playing against Colorado. Meanwhile, general manager Julien BriseBois told reporters that "it's a matter of probably a few more weeks before" Point is considered fully recovered.