When Victor Hedman dominated the NHL

Victor Hedman is the anchor of the Tampa Bay Lightning defense. However, Tampa Bay Lightning fans remember a time when Hedman was the anchor of the entire National Hockey League's defenseman. Take a walk down memory lane as we reflect when Victor Hedman was arguably the NHL's best defenseman.

Defensemen like Adam Fox, Quinn Hughes, and of course, Cale Makar National Hockey League are taking the National Hockey League by storm. However before them, teams feared one man: Victor Hedman.

Victor Hedman, a Swedish defenseman from Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, drafted second overall in the 2009 NHL draft, has served as the defensive anchor for the Tampa Bay Lightning for years. However, the 2016-2017 NHL season was the season for the emergence of a brand new type of Victor Hedman.

During the 2016-2017 NHL season, Hedman broke out for a whopping 72 points in 79 games. While impressive, Hedman was looking for more the following year. As a veteran, Hedman was a seasoned professional at locking down the defensive zone. When he stepped onto the ice, Tampa Bay transformed into a deadly team to battle against. He was able to provide consistent defensive coverage while helping create offensive chances for his team. Thanks to Hedman's strong play, the 2017-2018 Tampa Bay Lightning ended the year with a 3rd overall finish in the National Hockey League as listed on NHL.com. The Swedish defenseman recorded 63 points in 77 games while posting a positive 32 plus minus rating. Consequently, Hedman ended the season as a first-time Norris winner. The Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman did not stop there. In fact, Hedman was only getting started.

Over the next seven seasons, Hedman consistently bolstered the Lightning defense. He managed to score above 50 points in five of the next seven seasons while even going so far as to 85 points in the 2021-2022 NHL season. Hedman’s poise and strength elevated him to be among the NHL’s most elite players. Tampa Bay heavily relied on Hedman to secure the defensive side of the puck in order to reach what all hockey fans dream of: the Stanley Cup.

While what seemed to be the world on his shoulders, Hedman delivered. Victor Hedman helped lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to not only one Stanley Cup victory, but two. In fact, Hedman earned playoff MVP, otherwise known as the Conn Smythe Trophy, for his outstanding contributions to the Lightning’s 2021 Stanley Cup victory. Without Victor Hedman, one can only ponder what might have been for the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Now, the NHL is greeted by the dominance of new young defensemen around the league. While the youth are enjoying their time in the spotlight, Lightning fans will always remember when Victor Hedman dominated the NHL. 

All Victor Hedman stats and facts provided by NHL.com.