With a file of 12-9-2 and the very best objective differential within the Atlantic Division, the Tampa Bay Lightning are off to a strong begin this season. The group was the focus over the summer time as administration made franchise-altering strikes to maintain the workforce’s competition window open. A type of selections was shifting on from captain Steven Stamkos, who signed a four-year deal with the Nashville Predators.
Nevertheless, the Lightning didn’t take lengthy to call a brand new captain for the following wave of their franchise. That title belongs to Victor Hedman when Tampa Bay named the blueliner the eleventh captain in workforce historical past in September. Contemplating he eclipsed the 1,000-game plateau final December, alongside together with his astounding resume (two Stanley Cups, one Conn Smythe Trophy, one Norris Trophy), the selection wasn’t tough for the Lightning.
In a late rally in opposition to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night time (Nov. 30) at Amalie Enviornment, Hedman grew to become the Lightning’s all-time chief in assists, surpassing his former teammate Martin St. Louis. Regardless of turning 34 in three weeks, he anchors the Bolts’ again finish. He’s quietly having among the finest begins to a season in his prolonged profession and has flown underneath the radar because of the offensive manufacturing by the forwards up entrance.
Hedman’s Field Rating Stats Look as Spectacular as Ever
With a career-best of 85 factors in 82 video games in the course of the 2021-22 season, Hedman is on tempo to have a top-three offensive season all through his profession. His 4 targets and 22 factors in 23 video games are tied for fourth amongst defensemen within the NHL this season. His five-on-five manufacturing has additionally been strong, as his 9 factors at that power are tied for twenty seventh. His level totals are spectacular, nevertheless it’s not probably the most stunning a part of his recreation this season.
Hedman’s Revived 5-on-5 and Defensive Metrics
Whereas Hedman posted the second-best offensive numbers of his profession final season with 13 targets and 63 assists for 76 factors in 78 video games, his defensive and play-driving metrics have been bottom-of-the-barrel league-wide amongst defenders. Let’s examine this season and final season’s five-on-five on-ice metrics to showcase his drastically improved influence.
The Lightning have been a significantly better defensive workforce in 2024-25, partly as a consequence of Hedman’s revival defensively. In 2023-24, amongst 217 certified defenders (500+ minutes TOI at five-on-five), he ranked 188th in anticipated targets in opposition to per 60 (xGA/60) by way of Pure Stat Trick. This statistic measures the standard of unblocked shot makes an attempt a participant surrenders when on the ice. Nevertheless, he has fully turned issues round this season, the place his 2.13 anticipated targets in opposition to per 60 (xGA/60) rank thirtieth amongst 190 certified defenders (200+ minutes TOI at five-on-five).
Associated: 2 Lightning Gamers Displaying Enhancements at 5-on-5 Early This Season
Shifting on to his possession ranks utilizing the identical discipline of certified defensemen, there’s yet one more drastic enchancment for Hedman. His subpar 49.32% anticipated targets for share (xGF%) at five-on-five ranked a hundred and fifteenth amongst defenders final season. In comparison with this season, he controls 56.92% of the on-ice anticipated objective share (xGF%), rating twenty first relative to his place on this metric. This greater share signifies he now controls each the standard of unblocked shot makes an attempt for and in opposition to when on the ice for the Lightning this season.
Is Hedman Tampa Bay’s Early Season MVP?
With all of the flashy level totals and ability up entrance, Hedman continues to be severely ignored for his play this season. Whereas his five-on-five manufacturing hasn’t been elite like final season, he’s been strong sufficient offensively whereas taking part in arguably superstar-caliber protection. His well-rounded strategy to the sport and talent to raise his teammates at five-on-five make him a contender for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s finest defensemen.
The Lightning will relaxation till their subsequent recreation on Thursday at residence in opposition to Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks. Tampa Bay will look to claw out of the Wild Card race and right into a safe playoff spot within the Jap Convention with video games in hand.
