The Tampa Bay Lightning are using the injured reserve today. One of the best defencemen of the past decade Victor Hedman has an injury of elbow injury that required surgery. He will be out until about February.
Defenceman Victor Hedman Injury Required Surgery
There is some irony to the timing. It was announced that he will be out until early February. Interestingly enough, the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics start on that very same timetable. In any sense, he would clearly be ready for the elimination rounds, you’d have to think worst-case scenario, for such an anouncement. Hedman is one of the potential difference makers for Team Sweden. If he is playing at the level he can, that is a huge elevation to the Swedish lineup. Not to say the likes of Gustav Forsling and Rasmus Dahlin don’t have the top-end covered. At a tournament like this, against Canada and Team USA, you need more than one first-line calibre.
Victor Hedman will have an elbow procedure on Monday, according to the #TBLightning, and is expected to return in time to play for Sweden at the Milan Olympics.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 12, 2025
Hedman has had a long sustained run at the top of the NHL defensive pantheon. His size, skating, strength, and skill has long put him on top of his game. Moreover, there is an argument that injuries have slowed his career at some stages. Today’s news being a good example.
A Look at Hedman’s Value and the Intangibles
He won the 2018 Norris Trophy and two Stanley Cups while at the height of his game. Being the top power play for multiple cup wins is an impressive standard. Over the course of his 17-year NHL career is has compiled 171 goals, 806 points, and 1149 games played. His average ice time is 23:24.
The pairing of J.J. Moser and Hedman will be missed. In 160 minutes, they have an expected goal percentage of 58.2%. Meanwhile, they might have a replacement figured out, if need be. Moser with Darren Raddysh is at 62.8 xGoals% in more ice time (221 minutes).
Main Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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