Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman has suffered a new injury setback shortly after returning from a previous absence. The defenseman left the ice during a game against the Montreal Canadiens and is now on the NHL injury list, missing at least the next three games. Coach Jon Cooper described it as a concern but downplayed worries for Sweden's 2026 Olympics team.
Victor Hedman, the Tampa Bay Lightning's star defenseman, has encountered another injury hurdle. After missing 12 games earlier in the season due to an issue in November and December, Hedman returned for three matches before being forced off the ice during Wednesday's game against the Montreal Canadiens.
Hedman has recorded 12 points in 18 games this season. Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper expressed concern post-match, stating, 'Det bekymrar oss, så vi måste få honom ordentligt undersökt' (It concerns us, so we must get him properly examined). To Expressen, Cooper added, 'Ja, vad ska jag säga... Det är ett bakslag, förstås. Jag kan inte sitta här just nu och säga om han är borta några dagar eller några veckor. Om du frågar om ett par dagar kan jag nog säga det' (Yes, what can I say... It's a setback, of course. I can't say right now if he's out for a few days or weeks. If you ask about a couple of days, I can probably say that).
The injury is reportedly the same as the previous one. Hedman is listed to miss the next three games. However, reports vary on the severity: one account suggests elbow surgery on Monday, potentially sidelining him until February 2026, though Cooper indicated a shorter timeline and no impact on Sweden's Olympics preparations.
Cooper emphasized that the setback should not alarm the Swedish national team ahead of the 2026 Olympics.
