Lightning sign Victor Hedman to 4-year, $32M extension

Defenseman Victor Hedman is staying with the Tampa Bay Lightning on a four-year, $32 million contract, signed Tuesday.

The contract takes impact within the 2025-26 season.

Retaining Hedman, 33, was key for the Lightning, who noticed middle Steven Stamkos depart for the Nashville Predators in free company on Monday.

The No. 2 general decide of the 2009 NHL Draft, Hedman is second in video games performed (1,052) in Lightning historical past, 30 behind Stamkos.

In 78 video games final season, the six-time All-Star contributed 76 factors (13 targets, 63 assists).

Hedman stands third in assists (572) amongst all gamers in Lightning historical past and first amongst defensemen in targets (156), assists and factors (728).

He gained Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2020 and ’21 and has appeared in 165 postseason video games, tallying 117 factors (23 targets, 94 assists). He gained the Conn Smythe Trophy because the MVP of the playoffs in 2020 and the Norris Trophy because the league’s finest defenseman in 2017-18.

Also Tuesday, the Lightning introduced the signing of defenseman Emil Lilleberg to a two-year, one-way $1.6 million contract extension. It will start with the 2025-26 season.

Lilleberg, 23, appeared in 37 video games final season with 5 assists.