Victor Hedman will take the ice this season for the Tampa Bay Lightning because the longest-tenured participant on the staff. Will probably be his sixteenth with the membership and his first with out his long-time teammate, Steven Stamkos. At first of free company on July 1, after it grew to become obvious that he and the Lightning wouldn’t be capable of get a deal performed, he signed with the Nashville Predators for 4 years, $32 million.
Whereas Stamkos’ affect on the ice speaks for itself, as Hedman put it, he will even miss the Stamkos he is aware of off the ice.
“We’re going to overlook the participant Steven Stamkos,” the 33-year-old defenseman stated on the NHL/NHLPA participant media tour. “However me personally, clearly, extra as a buddy … going to be an enormous change.”
The 2 have been drafted solely a yr aside. They grew up collectively, going again to after they have been each 19 years outdated – virtually half their lives.
It’s a change little doubt.
Nonetheless, Hedman shortly emphasised that everybody has to maintain trying ahead to what’s subsequent.
“We all know precisely what he’s completed,” Hedman stated. “We’re not going to neglect about these reminiscences we created collectively, however we’ve to look ahead. It’s vital with coaching camp developing that we get collectively shortly and bond as a bunch.”
Hedman was inked to an extension a day later. He acquired the very same deal as his former teammate.
Normal supervisor Julien BriseBois and firm made strikes to retool the employees over the summer season. It needed to be performed. However whether or not or not these adjustments have been for the higher is, clearly, but to be decided. An enormous a part of that’s displaying that may win with out Stamkos.
Even with the previous captain heading to Nashville, the 2020 Conn Smythe winner thinks the Lightning nonetheless have loads left within the tank.
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“That’s everybody’s purpose, clearly, going into the season, however it appears like we’ve the staff to be a contender,” he stated.
It’s going to be more durable than in years previous with different groups within the Atlantic displaying indicators they’re going to contend, and Hedman understands that.
“You have a look at our division, it’s tremendous robust,” Hedman stated. “It feels just like the previous few years it’s been us, Florida, Boston and Toronto. Now it’s important to throw in Ottawa, Montreal, Buffalo. Montreal is getting higher. And Detroit. I simply talked about all of the groups in our division, they’re all getting higher. So, for us, we’ve to hit the bottom working, that’s the underside line.”
Till confirmed in any other case, it’s going to be onerous to justify counting out the Lightning. As a lot as they struggled final season, they nonetheless discovered their manner into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Hedman On Probably Being the Subsequent Captain
It’s extremely probably that Hedman would be the subsequent captain of the Lightning. He spoke of the honour it could be to put on the ‘C’ whereas preserving a humble tone.
“I wouldn’t change the best way I’m, the best way I do issues, if I’ve a ‘C’ or an ‘A’ on my jersey,” he stated. “However it’s a privilege to be a captain within the Nationwide Hockey League…We’ll cross that bridge relating to that.”
He’s lengthy confirmed to have the management talents to be captain. He’s stepped up on the most important levels – in spite of everything, he gained that aforementioned Conn Smythe Award. He’s well-spoken and is aware of the staff in and out.
In 1,052 profession video games, all with the staff that drafted him in 2009, Hedman has 156 targets and 572 assists for 728 factors. He’s nonetheless one of many high defensemen within the league, ending sixth within the Norris Trophy voting final season.
The 2024-25 NHL season is shortly approaching with the preseason lower than two weeks away. Whether or not he’s captain or not, Hedman is prepared for enterprise as regular. That enterprise is competing to win the Stanley Cup.
