Lightning’s Victor Hedman takes leave of absence

On Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that captain Victor Hedman will be taking a temporary leave of absence from the organization for personal reasons.

“No further details will be shared,” the Lightning said in a statement. “The team asks that his privacy be respected at this time.”

It’s easy to say Hedman has had a rather rough 2025-26 season. While the team around him has been fighting for first place in the Atlantic Division, Hedman has spent a lot of time on the shelf. Back in November, he suffered an undisclosed injury that kept him out of action for nearly a month. Then, he suffered an elbow injury just two games into his return, which required surgery and landed him on injured reserve.

The Swedish blueliner missed almost two months while recovering from that injury, coming back just before the NHL paused for the Winter Olympics.

While in Milan, Hedman suffered a lower-body injury during warmups prior to Sweden’s quarterfinal game against the United States. Tre Kronor was ultimately eliminated by the eventual gold medalists in a thrilling overtime game. The 35-year-old posted just one assist in five games.

While he was able to return to the Lightning when the league resumed play, Hedman was forced to exit last Thursday‘s game against the Vancouver Canucks due to illness, an ailment that kept him out of Saturday’s matchup with the Edmonton Oilers as well.

In the 33 games Hedman has played in, he has scored a goal and 16 assists for 17 points, with a plus/minus of -1 while averaging just under 19 minutes of ice time per game.

The Lightning (44-21-5) sits second in the Atlantic, two points back of the Buffalo Sabres for first.