Victor Hedman News

Hedman will be a game-time decision for Tampa Tuesday as they take on the Ottawa Senators. If he does miss the game, it will be a massive loss for the Lightning's top defenseman, who has eight points (1G/7A) through the first nine games this season.

Hedman was hurt early in their last round-robin game but will play in Game 1 vs. Columbus. The injury didn't look great at the time, so it's great news for the Lightning that he is feeling no lingering effects. Hedman had one assist in the three round-robin games.

Hedman was injured early in the Lightning’s round-robin finale vs. the Flyers and did not return. Head coach Jon Cooper did not have an update on his status on Monday and said his availability will be determined on Tuesday. The Lightning play in the first game of the day (3:00 PM) so there will be no morning skate for Hedman to test out his injury.

Hedman stayed back in Tampa at first due to personal reasons but joined his teammates on Friday and practiced on Saturday. Head coach Jon Cooper said that Hedman "hasn't really skipped a beat," so he'll play in the first game of their round-robin schedule.

The Tampa Bay Lightning entered the playoff bubble in Toronto on Sunday but Hedman remained in Tampa for a "personal matter." Hedman and Tampa's strength coach will stay back until Friday, at which point both will fly to Toronto and meet back up with the team. Hedman will miss Tampa Bay's exhibition game against the Panthers on Wednesday but will be available for all three round-robin games, general manager Julien BriseBois said.

Hedman was on the ice for the Lightning's morning skate but will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury that he suffered in Boston on Saturday. However, his availability for the morning skate suggests he's close to playing, so monitor his status prior to Thursday's game vs. the Flyers.

Hedman left Saturday's game in Boston with an undisclosed injury and is questionable to play tonight in Detroit. Head coach Jon Cooper did not have an update on Hedman's status postgame but said he'll be re-evaluated prior to Sunday's game. If Ryan McDonagh isn't ready to return, look for Luke Schenn to replace Hedman.

The Lightning are in Sweden to face the Sabres in the Global Series, so Hedman will enjoy a homecoming in his return to the lineup. Hedman missed just two games with a lower-body injury and will look to build off of a strong month of October, where he tallied two goals and seven assists (nine points) in 11 games.

Hedman left Tuesday’s game in the first period after sustaining a lower-body injury and will not be available in the second game of the Lightning’s back-to-back. Jan Rutta is expected to replace Hedman on the back-end.

Hedman was forced to leave Tuesday's game after playing just 6:37 TOI. While he hasn't been officially ruled out, it seems unlikely that Hedman will be available for Wednesday's game in New Jersey. Expect Jan Rutta to draw in for Hedman.

Hedman was listed as day-to-day on Monday but was always trending towards playing in the season opener. Hedman is coming off of 54 points (12G / 42A) last season and will skate with Kevin Shattenkirk at 5v5 and anchor the top power-play unit.

Hedman missed Monday’s practice as “maintenance” but head coach Jon Cooper believes his star defenseman will be able to play in the season opener. Hedman is coming off of a 54-point (12G / 42A) season, where he only skated in 70 games.

The writing was on the wall for Hedman to miss Game 4 but he has now been downgraded to out by head coach Jon Cooper. Braydon Coburn will remain on the blueline with Hedman sidelined.

Even with the Lightning down 3-0 in Columbus, it doesn’t look like Hedman will be available for Game 4. With Hedman out in Game 3, Mikhail Sergachev played six more minutes (22:55) than he did in Game 2 and Ryan McDonagh led all defensemen with 23:00 TOI.

Hedman missed yesterday's practice and was listed as a game-time decision but will not play in Game 3 in Columbus. Braydon Coburn will draw into the Lightning lineup as they go to battle without Hedman or Nikita Kucherov.

Hedman missed Saturday's practice because he is "banged up" but head coach Jon Cooper is hopeful that their No.1 defeneman will be available on Sunday evening. The Lightning are down 2-0 and without their best forward, so they need Hedman in the lineup.

Hedman missed the final three games of the regular season with an upper-body injury but was on the ice for both Monday and Tuesday’s practice sessions and will play in Game 1 on Wednesday. Hedman had another fantastic season, scoring 12 goals with 42 assists (54 points) in 70 games.