Where is Andrei Vasilevskiy? Why Lightning star goaltender is missing the start of the NHL season | Sporting News
Tampa Bay begins the 2023-24 regular season without its franchise goaltender manning the crease.
www.sportingnews.comHere’s a quick update on Andrei Vasilevskiy based on recent reporting up to May 2026.
- Status: Vasilevskiy has been dealing with ongoing back-related issues. He underwent back surgery in late September 2023, which caused him to miss the start of the 2023–24 season, and he has been managed to return to play in that season. More recent outlets note continued workload considerations and periodic performances through the 2024–25 season, with discussions of fatigue and further evaluation common for a goaltender with a heavy workload.[1][2][3]
- Performance and context: After returning from injury, he posted strong totals in 2024–25 but also faced some fluctuating form and durability questions typical of a veteran, high-minutes goalie. He remained a centerpiece for Tampa Bay, frequently cited in season recaps and analyses as a top-tier netminder when healthy.[3][7][8]
- Recent coverage: As of May 2026, major outlets (FOX Sports, ESPN, CBC Sports, CBSSports) continue to track his status, with updates focusing on his health, workload, and performance in the Lightning’s goaltending rotation or plans for the offseason.[4][5][7][8]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest specific headlines or summarize injury/return timelines from the newest articles and provide direct links.