Story Summary
Victor Hedman says he is preparing for his 18th NHL season with a healthy body and mind after stepping away from the Tampa Bay Lightning late in the 2025-26 campaign. He resumed skating during the playoffs, has been working with his longtime therapist, and says he has no regrets about going public with his struggles.
Key Facts
- Hedman has not played for the Lightning since March 19; he played six shifts (4:44) in that game against the Vancouver Canucks before stepping away.
- He decided to step away because he felt pressure on gamedays and could not shake mistakes, and he also felt he was not 100 percent physically.
- Earlier in the season Hedman missed 12 games with an undisclosed injury from Nov. 12 through Dec. 4.
- The Lightning placed him on injured reserve on Dec. 11, and the team announced four days later he would have a procedure on his elbow.
- Following that procedure he missed 22 games and returned for the final three regular-season games before the 2026 Winter Olympics break.
- Hedman played the first four games for Team Sweden at the Olympics but was injured during warmups ahead of the quarterfinal versus the United States; he remained in uniform on the bench but did not play in the 2-1 overtime loss.
- On returning to Tampa Bay he played the first 12 games after the Olympic break, but did not return to the ice after the first period in the game against the Canucks on March 19.
- He resumed skating on his own and with the team during the playoffs and said he likely would have been able to return if the Lightning had advanced past the first round; the Lightning were eliminated on May 3 in Game 7 versus the Montreal Canadiens.
- Hedman worked regularly with his longtime therapist while away and said he received a lot of support inside and outside the NHL.
- He finished the season with 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) in 33 games.
- Hedman said he feels physically and mentally ready, is " super fresh, hungry and super motivated," and expects it will take a few games to get back into the League’s rhythm after not playing since March.
IHM Discussion
Hedman’s decision to step away in the closing weeks of the season and to speak publicly about his mental-health struggles has two immediate consequences for the Lightning. On the rink, Tampa Bay loses availability from a veteran defenceman who relies on mobility as a primary strength; Hedman himself linked his decline in play to not skating well after elbow trouble and the accumulation of physical and mental strain. Off the rink, his openness about performance anxiety shifts the conversation inside a locker room accustomed to measured disclosures. Hedman framed the leave as a leadership decision – that sometimes the right thing for the team is to step away – and said he has no regrets, which helps preserve his standing as a senior figure in the dressing room.
Practically, the Lightning will treat Hedman as a veteran returning to training camp with an expectation of needing time in live games to reacclimatise. That timeline is consistent with a player who missed significant minutes late in a season and whose game is built on skating and positional reads rather than sudden reinvention. The club’s short-term defensive deployment and power-play planning will reflect that reality: coaching staffs rarely immediately restore full minutes to a veteran who has missed extended game action, even when he is a proven performer.
Why It Matters
Hedman remains one of the Lightning’s most influential players when healthy. His fitness and mental readiness affect Tampa Bay’s blue-line depth, special teams and leadership structure. How quickly he returns to trusted minutes will influence the Lightning’s early-season defensive matchups, transition play and reliance on younger defenders to shoulder heavier workloads.
Mini Q&A
When did Hedman step away from the Lightning?
Hedman stepped away after playing six shifts (4:44) in the March 19 game against the Vancouver Canucks.
Why did he take a leave of absence?
He said he experienced performance anxiety – pressure in his chest on gamedays – and also felt he was not 100 percent physically, which together led him to conclude he needed to step away.
Did Hedman have any injuries last season?
Yes. He missed 12 games with an undisclosed injury from Nov. 12 through Dec. 4, was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 11, the Lightning announced on Dec. 15 that he would have a procedure on his elbow, and he missed the next 22 games before returning for the final three regular-season games before the Olympic break.
Was he involved at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
He played the first four games for Team Sweden but was injured during warmups ahead of the quarterfinal against the United States, stayed in uniform on the bench and did not play in the 2-1 overtime loss.
Does he regret going public about his struggles?
No. Hedman said he does not regret the decision and that sharing his experience is important because ‘it is OK not to be OK.’
Coach Mark Comment
From a coaching perspective, Hedman’s description of feeling " behind on the plays" after elbow trouble is critical. A coach would likely reintroduce him through controlled minutes – sheltered defensive starts and specific matchup responsibilities – to rebuild timing and confidence. Expect a phased approach: shorter shifts against lower-risk opponents, progressive power-play work as he regains conditioning, and clear communication about expectations so Hedman can focus on play rather than perception.
What Comes Next
Hedman heads into the Lightning’s training camp this pre-season feeling physically and mentally ready; he said he has had a great summer and " feels great going into camp." He expects it will take " a few games" once the season begins to get back into the rhythm of NHL play.
IHM Final View
Victor Hedman’s public account of performance anxiety and his decision to step away are as important as the timetable for his return. He has framed his leave as a deliberate, team-minded choice and has re-entered the off-season in good health and with professional support. For the Lightning the immediate task is pragmatic: manage his minutes and let a veteran who built his career on skating and positioning regain full form over the opening weeks of the season.