Today, VP and general manager Julien BriseBois revealed that the Tampa Bay Lightning had extended the contract of defenseman Victor Hedman for four more years, with an average yearly value of $8 million. Starting with the 2025–26 season, the contract extension will continue until the 2028–29 season. The 33-year-old Hedman led the team in assists with 76 in 2023–24, scored 76 goals, added 31 power-play points, and had a plus-18 rating, which was the best on the team. After a total of 24:48 minutes on the ice, he placed fourth in assists, fifth in points, sixth in power-play points, and eighth among NHL defensemen. While he ranked fourth in points and power-play points, he topped all Lightning players in average ice time and was second in assists.
The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoff participant, who was born and raised in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, saw action in all five games for the Tampa Bay Lightning before their quarterfinal loss to the eventual champion Florida Panthers. Hedman paced the Bolts in average ice time (25:45), tied for first place on the club in points with seven, and was second in assists with six. With Tampa Bay, Hedman has played in 1,052 NHL games over his career. He has 156 goals, 728 points, 259 power-play points, and a plus-175 rating. He is 33 years old. Hedman has been an outstanding defenseman since making his NHL debut in 2009. He ranks third among active defensemen with 728 points and a plus-175 rating. He also has the fourth-most power-play points with 259 and ranks good for fifth with 1,052 games played.
With 165 career playoff games, Hedman is second only to Ryan McDonagh (191 GP) in terms of postseason points, and he leads all active defensemen with 117 points, including 23 goals and 94 assists. He is one of just eleven defensemen in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. When it comes to the NHL playoffs, Hedman is tied for 12th in points and 10th in assists among defensemen.
The only Lightning player to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the best defenseman in regular season history is the four-time NHL All-Star. He was the only player in franchise history to do it. Hedman is the third player in franchise history to skate in 1,000 games. Among defensemen, he holds nearly every record, including: games played, goals, assists, points, plus/minus, even strength goals, power play points, shorthanded points, overtime goals, game-winning goals, hits, and blocked shots. His totals also include 124. Hedman also has the most ice time of any Tampa Bay franchise skater with 24,683:30.
