The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenceman Victor Hedman to a four-year contract extension. The deal starts in the 2025-26 season and runs through the 2028-29 season.
NEWS: The #GoBolts have signed defenseman Victor Hedman to a four-year contract extension worth an AAV of $8 million.
— Diandra Loux (@Diandra_loux) July 2, 2024
Hedman Re-Signs With Tampa Bay Lightning
The 33-year-old recorded 76 points in 2023-24. Furthermore, Hedman added 31 power play points. He ranked fourth among all NHL defencemen for assists, fifth for points, sixth for power play points and eighth for average time on ice (24:48). Hedman led all Lightning skaters in average time on ice. He also ranked second for assists and fourth for both points and power play points.
Core Member Remains
The news of Hedman’s extension comes just a day after longtime captain Steven Stamkos left the Lightning to sign with the Nashville Predators.
Like Stamkos, Hedman has appeared in all four Stanley Cup appearances the Lightning have had in the last ten years. Hedman won the Conn Smythe Trophy during the Lightning’s 2020 Stanley Cup championship run. Hedman had 18 points in 23 playoff games that season. Furthermore, Hedman scored the series-winning goal for the Lightning in the second round against the Boston Bruins.
Hedman’s Re-Signing is One of Many Recent Transactions
It has been a busy last few days for General Manager Julien BriseBois. In addition to the Hedman extension and the failed attempts to re-sign Stamkos, there have been two other big moves. First, the Lightning traded defenceman Mikhail Sergachev to the Utah Hockey Club to free up cap space. Secondly, the Lightning acquired to the rights to winger Jake Guentzel in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. The Lightning signed Guentzel to a contract extension before free agency opened.
Looking Ahead For Tampa Bay
Hedman is showing no signs of slowing down. He continues to perform as one of the league’s top defenceman. One could make the case that re-signing Hedman is of bigger significance than if the Lightning had re-signed Stamkos.
With the departure of their longtime captain, Hedman may be a candidate to become the next captain. That decision will most likely be made in training camp or in the preseason.
The Lightning will enter 2024-25 season as Stanley Cup contenders once again. Should they win the Stanley Cup in 2025, that would be their third title in six years, which could mark them as the NHL’s newest dynasty.
Main photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
