On November 25, 2013, Stamkos made a press appearance where he was seen walking without the use of crutches or a walking boot. He updated the media on his miraculous progress and was hopeful that he could return to the Lightning before commencement of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, which he was widely considered to play in for Canada. Ultimately, he was unable to recover in time to participate in the Olympics. However, he was cleared to play for the Lightning on March 5 – the same day former teammate Martin St. Louis was traded to the New York Rangers – and returned March 6 in a game against the Buffalo Sabres, which the team lost 3–1. Stamkos was named the new captain of the Lightning before the game, replacing the departed St. Louis