A few days ago, it was announced that the captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Victor Hedman, had taken a leave of absence from the team for mental health reasons. Taking the absence on March 25th, Hedman missed Tampa Bay’s last 15 games of the regular season, and their Round One series loss against the Montreal Canadiens.
From a team perspective, it’s a bind in all honesty, as you’re stuck between wanting the best for the player and their long-term health, while also recognizing that your team is better when Hedman is on the ice. Furthermore, there’s no set timeline for how long it takes a player to recover, unlike more objective injuries.
Still, Hedman shared that he’s feeling much better, and there’s not much concern that he won’t begin the 2026-27 season on time. In fact, speaking on 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated that there’s a “1000% chance” that Hedman plays next year. Given that there’s a distinct possibility that the Lightning lose defenseman Darren Raddysh in free agency this summer, having Hedman back for the whole year will make that pill go down much easier.
Additional morning notes:
- Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford provided more context behind his decision to step down from his role at the head of Vancouver’s front office. In an interview with Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre, Rutherford said, “It was time for me before the season even started; I was trending in that direction. But I think we can put something together here in our hockey department that I can feel good about when I step down.“
- According to Greg Cowan of the Owen Sound Sun Times, the OHL’s Board of Governors is preparing to meet to finalize the sale of the Owen Sound Attack. Cowan indicated that an official announcement of the sale is expected in the next few days and that the new ownership group plans to hire a relatively young player agent to lead the hockey operations department.
A 1000% chance Hedman plays next season? Thank god!!! I was so worried! Click bait Friedman does it again, Where does his incredible insight come from? It’s like he has special powers.
Victor Hedman had a tough go around this season with a few unusual injuries and obviously, his mental health was another matter all together.
IMO I call this season for Hedman a complete wash. I don’t count it against him as other factors outside of hockey were involved. Hedman looks to be on a good path now, & if he can play to the level he did in the 2024 season, he’ll be good & it will only benefit Tampa next season.
I have to do this again.
Hedman is a year older from already being older. Next year is a wild card at best. Some like to make excuses…proof was in the pudding.
There are 2 real sides to the issue. The human side and the organizational side.
The human side is that often physical injuries and aging depreciate a players skills to a point they are no longer to perform at the level needed to be effective. Father time and mother nature are undefeated. The league is filled with guys trying to fulfill their potential given physical set backs.
Mental and psychological injuries are the same. Like everyone, I hope he is able to overcome this obstacle and resume feeling better as a person and able to then perform at a high level.
Organizationally, it is a tough spot. Your captain, already on the downside of his career, can be one of the biggest unknowns and not to be insensitive, but a drag/distraction for your team.
The team was 15-14-2 with him playing this year and 35-11 and 4 without him. That is not to say that he can not again be a big asset for the team; however, the team played its best hockey without him (and McDonogh and Cernak for that matter).
The cap going up allows them to eat that salary. I truly hope he turns the corner and puts this behind him, as far as his ability to play consistently at a high level.
Have to point out again that it is a false premise to assume they are better with him then without. Results last year do not match up to the what some may believe.
Look at the record when Dastous and James played vs not played. Another uncomfortable fact and support for cutting back on old and slow and playing younger and faster.
Hedman the Swedish snowflake
Hedman screwed them at the deadline. He’s a huge buyout candidate after this coming season. Not much tread left on those tires. Same goes for McD and Cernak.
Do you know why the recovery timeline from mental health issues is hard to predict? Because its not a real issue. This dress wearing Swedish snowflake Hedman is like 10 yrs late to harp on mental health stuff and if he had to be smart (he doesnt have to be cos hes just a pro athlete) he would nt dare trying this pr stunt in 2026