It has been a heartbreaking week for Tampa Bay Lightning fans, but the announcement earlier today should brighten things up a bit as they have locked up franchise defenseman, Victor Hedman, to a four-year contract extension worth $8 million annual average value which will begin in the 2025-26 season.
Hedman was drafted with the second overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Lightning and since then, has been a generational talent on defense. Hedman has spent 15 seasons wearing Bolts blue, being the heart and soul of the Lightning’s blueline. Over his 1,052 games in the regular season, Hedman has amassed 156 goals and 572 assists for 728 points. He also has an incredible goal differential of +175. Through 165 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Hedman has added 23 goals and 94 assists for 117 points to his stats, with a goal differential of +24. Hedman’s career with the Lightning is nothing short of immaculate. He is a six-time Norris Trophy Finalist for Best Defenseman, winning it once, a four-time NHL All-Star participant, Conn Smythe winner in 2019-20, named to the NHL second All-Star team five times in his career, and named to the NHL first All-Star team once; all this to go along with being a back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion.
It’s not just his NHL awards that have been impressive, but also the franchise records he holds. Hedman holds just about every franchise record for defensemen in Lightning history. He has played the most games, with this past season seeing him be only the third defenseman in Lightning history to hit the 1,000 games played mark, holds the most assists, points, plus/minus, even-strength goals (124), even-strength points (455), powerplay points, shorthanded goals (14), overtime goals (8), game-winning goals (28), hits (1,132), and blocked shots (1,613).
It is no secret how pivotal Hedman is to the Lightning’s blueline. At 6-foot-6, his reach is something you do not see often. If he looks like he is beat on a breakaway, you better think again. The 33-year-old has the ability to use his long reach and his long strides to his advantage to take away what should be easy opportunities. His ability to move up ice with the puck is something many Lightning fans will be happy to see for the next five years. It’s no secret how disappointing this week has been with the departure of key pieces to the franchise. Locking up Hedman was a must for the Lightning as there are no better options. nor players that can close to what he has done along the blueline.
ITR 35: Round One – Inside The Rink
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