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

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed defenseman Victor Hedman to a four-year contract extension with a $8-million cap hit beginning next season, the team announced Tuesday.

Hedman will be 34 when the deal kicks in next summer. He's entering the final campaign of an eight-year pact signed in 2016 that has a cap hit of $7.875 million.

He enjoyed a bounce-back season with 13 goals and 76 points in 78 games last season. Hedman added seven points in five playoff contests.

The 6-foot-7 rearguard was named one of Sweden's first six players for February's 4 Nations Face-Off on Friday.

The extension for Hedman comes a day after captain Steven Stamkos left Tampa Bay to sign with the Nashville Predators. General manager Julien BriseBois said he was "disappointed" with the outcome of the Stamkos negotiations.

Hedman won the Conn Smythe in 2020 and is a two-time Stanley Cup champion in Tampa. He was a finalist for the Norris Trophy in six consecutive seasons from 2016-22 and won the award in 2018.

The Lightning drafted Hedman second overall in 2009. He's accumulated 156 goals and 728 points in 1,052 career games and is set to pass Stamkos as Tampa Bay's franchise leader in games played next season.

Hedman ranks 12th in all-time playoff scoring among defensemen with 117 points in 165 career postseason contests. He's four points behind Hall of Famer Chris Pronger to crack the top 10.

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