Victor Hedman hopes to return from injury for the Stadium Series

Tampa Bay Lightning defender Victor Hedman is targeting a potential comeback from injury in time for the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series against the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, February 1st. Hedman has not played since Dec. 9 and was officially placed on injured reserve, but his recent on-ice activity has opened the door to a possible return for the outdoor showcase.

“It’s been a big motivation throughout this whole process, but at the same time, there’s still a long season left,” Hedman he said Thursday. “But we’ll see what happens in the coming days, but either way, just to be a part of it and see that atmosphere … and the weather looks great for that game, so I’m sure the whole country is excited for that game.”

The 35-year-old practiced with Tampa Bay for the second straight day on Thursday, taking part in the morning skate before the Lightning’s home game against the Winnipeg Jets. It was his second consecutive training in a regular jersey from elbow surgery on Dec. 15. He was placed on injured reserve on December 11 after leaving the December 9 game against the Montreal Canadiens, which Tampa Bay won 6-1.

“I’ll take it day by day,” Hedman said, “and see what the coaching staff has to say.”

This Stadium Series game holds a historic place in franchise history. It will be the first outdoor game hosted by the Lightning and only the second outdoor NHL game played in Florida this season, following the Winter Classic held in Miami on Jan. 2. The game is scheduled for 6:30 PM ET and will be played in front of approximately 70,000 fans at the home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thursday’s forecast called for temperatures in the low 40s for puck drop.

Before the injury, Hedman had 12 assists in 18 games this season while averaging 21:05 of ice time per game. The Lightning captain may not have found the back of the net, but his defensive impact remains crucial. He last made a brief comeback from an earlier injury, appearing in three games prior to Dec. 9, before undergoing surgery.

Deprived of Hedman’s presence on the ice, Tampa Bay’s climb through the standings continues unabated. The Lightning currently hold a 34-14-4 record and are 17-3-2 since Hedman last played. They are 11-1-1 since January 1st and currently sit in first place in the Eastern Conference with 72 points, two points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings and seven behind the Colorado Avalanche for the league lead.

The ramifications of Hedman’s return go beyond Tampa Bay’s roster. The stalwart is expected to lead Team Sweden’s efforts at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. Sweden opens Olympic play against hosts Italy on February 11, with the gold medal game set for February 22. The Lightning have two games left after the Stadium Series before the league goes on hiatus for the Olympic break, making any NHL action before then important to Hedman’s Olympic readiness.