Tampa Bay Lighting assistant coach Wayne Fleming has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, according to a team release. He underwent a procedure this morning, and he's being treated by the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa.
Fleming has been missing from the Lightning bench in recent games, and it's likely that he will not be available for much of the playoffs. The team is leaving it open for Fleming to help as much as he can during the playoffs, but it will really depend upon his comfort level and how his treatment is going.
Fleming has been coaching hockey for over 30 years, and has served as the assistant coach for multiple NHL teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, and New York Islanders. This was his first season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, as he was brought on with new head coach Guy Boucher this past off season.