TAMPA, Fla. — A busy week for the Tampa Bay Lightning continued Tuesday morning as the team announced longtime defenseman Victor Hedman has signed a four-year contract extension.
The move comes a day after the Lightning lost captain Steven Stamkos, who was a free agent, to the Nashville Predators.
What You Need To Know
- Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman has signed a 4-year contract extension
- Deal begins with the 2025-26 season and runs through 2028-29
- LOSING THE CAPTAIN: End of an Era: Steven Stamkos leaving Tampa Bay; signs with Nashville
- More Tampa Bay Lightning news
Hedman’s contract extension will begin with the 2025-26 season and run through 2028-29.
The 33-year-old Hedman recorded 63 assists and 76 points in 2023-24 along with 31 power-play points and a team-high, plus-18 rating.
He ranked fourth among all NHL defensemen for assists, fifth for points, sixth for power-play points and eighth for average time on ice (24:48).
Hedman led all Lightning skaters in average time on ice while ranking second for assists and fourth for both points and power-play points.
The four-time NHL All-Star remains the only player in Lightning franchise history to capture the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the defenseman who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability in the position throughout the regular season.
He has skated in 1,052 career NHL games, all with Tampa Bay, registering 156 goals, 728 points and 259 power-play points with a plus-175 rating. Since making his NHL debut in 2009, Hedman’s 728 points and plus-175 rating both rank third among all active defensemen while his 259 power-play points are the fourth-most and his 1,052 games played are good for fifth.
One of just 11 defensemen in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Hedman was drafted by the Lightning in the first round, second overall, of the 2009 NHL Draft.