Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Lightning's Victor Hedman taking 'temporary leave of absence'

Originally posted on Pro Hockey Rumors | By Josh Erickson | Last updated Mar 25, 2026 3:33 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced Wednesday that captain Victor Hedman will be out for at least one additional game as he takes a "temporary leave of absence" for personal reasons.

Hedman has already missed Tampa Bay’s last three contests. He left their game against the Canucks last Thursday after less than five minutes of ice time and didn’t return due to what the team labeled an illness.

That, plus a whole host of other injuries, has limited the usually durable Hedman to under half of the Bolts’ games this season. He has only managed 33 appearances, currently tracking for a career low, including lockout and COVID-shortened seasons.

Hedman, who finished fifth in Norris Trophy voting just last year, hasn’t had nearly the same effect when dressed, either. At 18:52 of ice time per game, he’s averaging under 20 minutes for the first time in his 17-year career, and his 0.52 points per game is his worst output since his early 20s.

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that defenseman Victor Hedman will be taking a temporary leave of absence from the team for personal reasons.

No further details will be shared, and the team asks that his privacy be respected at this time.
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 25, 2026

The Bolts have maintained a 27-7-3 record without Hedman dressed this season, including a 2-0-1 stretch in their last three without him. They certainly miss his presence, even lower in the lineup, with depth options Declan Carlile and Maxwell Crozier sidelined, but they’ve been able to keep their system rolling and intact this season amid a bevy of other injuries on defense.

At this point in the season, the Lightning have essentially locked up home ice in the first round with a 89.5% chance of finishing in the top two in the Atlantic Division, per MoneyPuck. A playoff spot is all but clinched, but the race with the Sabres for the division title is still wide open.

This article first appeared on Pro Hockey Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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