The case for Victor Hedman as the Lightning's next captain

TAMPA BAY, Fla. — This wasn’t the way Victor Hedman envisioned his days playing alongside his best friend ending.

The defenseman joined the Tampa Bay Lightning one year after forward Steven Stamkos, and the two were teammates for 15 seasons. They grew from teenagers into grown men, pillars of the team’s championship success. They loved living and playing in Tampa Bay, and dreamed of spending their entire careers together.

Neither could imagine things any other way.

Now, they’ll have to.

The Lightning on July 1 made an uneasy split with Stamkos, the face of the franchise for 16 seasons. A day after the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft left for Nashville as a free agent, Hedman signed a four-year, $32 million extension that likely will allow him to finish his career in Tampa Bay.

For Hedman, the contract was the realization of a dream. For the Lightning, it was the start of a new chapter.

Stamkos had been the team’s captain for 10 years, wearing the “C” on his jersey since March 6, 2014, his first game back from a broken leg and a day after Marty St. Louis was traded to the New York Rangers.

No question, Stamkos’ departure leaves a major void in the dressing room. But in Hedman, an alternate captain since 2018-19, the Lightning have a worthy successor.

Hedman was asked about the vacancy the day after Stamkos signed with the Predators. He steered clear of it, saying it was too soon to talk about. Instead, he focused on how much Stamkos helped him and how fortunate he was to work alongside a player he called “the best captain in the game.”

Though they were born just 10 months apart, Stamkos had a year of NHL experience when Hedman joined the league in 2009. Hedman credited Stamkos for helping him adjust to life in the U.S. as an 18-year-old living away from his native Sweden for the first time.

“That was a tough step,” Hedman said. “But he was one of those guys that really stepped up and helped me acclimate to life in the U.S. Just a tremendous guy. We always had so much fun together on the ice, off the ice, playing golf, whatever.

“What made him so good as a person? Everything. He’s just been a tremendous role model for so many players that came through and still are with the Lightning. Just everything (about him). (He’s) just Mr. Perfect.”

Replacing Mr. Perfect

While he might have learned a lot about leadership from Stamkos, Hedman has become just as capable of a leader. He’s long been the unquestioned head of the defense corps, even when it’s included Ryan McDonagh, a former Rangers captain.

After Stamkos skated around Amalie Arena with the Stanley Cup in 2021, he handed it first to Hedman, an honor that shouldn’t go unnoticed. A year later on the same ice, Hedman wrapped his arm around Stamkos as they watched the Colorado Avalanche celebrate their victory over the Lightning in the Cup Final.

Those close to the team know Stamkos has the utmost respect for Hedman. He shared much of the primary leadership responsibilities with him, especially throughout the Cup-winning years.

Both had equal voices in the dressing room but preferred to lead by example. After tough losses, they picked each other up while talking to the media. When other players were asked about the team’s leadership, the names of Stamkos and Hedman often were spoken in the same breath.

Former Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev said as much last week when he was introduced in Utah, where he had been traded in late June.

“I kind of followed the leaders I had before,” he said. “Stammer, he’s a great leader. Heddy (also), and most of the time, they just play. They go out there and show by their example what they can do, and that speaks for itself.”

A leader on and off the ice

On the ice, Hedman remains one of the league’s top defensemen as he approaches his 34th birthday in December. Over the past four seasons, only three other blueliners have played more minutes. Of the four, only Hedman and 2023-24 Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes of Vancouver have at least 250 points over that span. Hedman’s plus-59 rating is the best of the group.

Off the ice, Hedman has the same humility as Stamkos and is a major reason the Lightning dressing room is known as one of the closest in the league. He helps young players feel comfortable by taking them under his wing and involving them in off-ice activities like dinners and golf outings.

“He’s, in my opinion, the best defenseman in the league and you would never know,” Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh said earlier this season. “There’s no ego to him. He takes care of guys all around the room. He’s good to the trainers, the coaches, everyone. He’ll speak up and say the right things at the right time, but he’s just a friend to everyone. He’s consistent. You’d never have to guess what you’re getting out of him.”

Hedman said moving on without Stamkos will have to be a group effort. The return of McDonagh, who will likely slide back into an alternate captain role after two seasons in Nashville , will help, because he leads in a similar manner.

Still, Hedman knows his teammates will be looking to him to take the reins next season.

“It starts with me,” he said. “I have to take another step in my leadership abilities.

" … There’s going to be a realization early on in training camp that Stammer isn’t there, and we’re just going to have to be ready for that. And, obviously for me, I just have to be ready to try and lead and steer the ship and just help the group to come together.”