Hedman was on the ice in a non-contact jersey on Wednesday but head coach Jon Cooper said that he will not be available on Thursday. The Lightning are hopeful that he will return to the lineup in the near future.
Hedman was already ruled out of Thursday’s game vs. the Predators, but head coach Jon Cooper said their all-start defenseman will also miss this weekend’s back-to-back. With Hedman out, Ryan McDonagh will play on the top-pairing and top power-play tonight.
Hedman will not play Tuesday vs. the Devils or Thursday vs. the Predators, but head coach Jon Cooper added that there’s a good chance he’ll also miss Saturday and Sunday’s road games. With Hedman out, Ryan McDonagh will take on a huge first-pairing role and Mikhail Sergachev is skating on the top power-play unit.
Hedman has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury that looked serious at first but it looks like he’ll return ahead of his three week timetable. Hedman skated on the top pairing and top PP unit during Tuesday’s morning skate and is expect to play tonight in Winnipeg.
Hedman, who suffered a lower-body injury on January 11th, will travel with the team to Western Canada, which is a good sign that he’s getting closer to a return. Hedman is three weeks in to a three-to-six week timetable, so his return is expected to be on the horizon. The Lightning get back into action on Tuesday, so monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate and then as the week progresses.
Hedman had to be helped off of the ice after suffering a lower-body injury in a knee-on-knee collision with Garnet Hathaway. Coach Jon Cooper said that the severity of Hedman’s injury wouldn’t be known until they can conduct tests on Friday. Hedman was unable to put weight on his leg, so it looks like it could force him to miss some time.
Hedman will miss his third straight game with an illness, which means that Luke Witkowski is expected to remain in the lineup in San Jose. Monitor his status prior to Saturday’s game in Arizona.
Hedman is heading into his final year of a five-year, $20 million dollar deal, but was extended through the 2024-25 season. The former second overall pick is coming off of another great season, where he scored double-digit goals (10) for the third straight season and posted 40-plus points (47) for the second time in his career. He has developed into one of the top defensemen in the NHL and now he is getting paid like one.
Hedman missed the final three games of the regular season, but he likely sat out the final game as a precaution. Hedman’s return is huge for a Lightning team that will be without at least Anton Stralman on the blueline and Steven Stamkos up front. Hedman had 10 goals and 37 assists (47 points) in78 games this season and had three assists in the Lightning’s seven-game series vs. the Red Wings last year.
Hedman took part in the Lightning’s morning skate and could play tonight, but the Lightning won’t risk it and make sure he is ready for game 1 of the playoffs.
Hedman will miss his second straight game with an upper-body, but he is listed as day-to-day and could potentially return Saturday vs. the Canadiens. Matt Taormina will take Hedman’s spot tonight.
