Victor Hedman is back to full strength after what he described as a necessary break last season.
The Lightning defenseman told NHL.com’s Dan Rosen earlier this week that stepping away from the team in mid-March was important for him “from both a mental and physical standpoint.” He never returned to the lineup after that, but he says he has put that stretch behind him and will be ready to go when training camp opens after a strong summer.
Hedman’s 2023-24 season was shortened to 33 games because of injuries and his leave, though he still produced 17 points in those appearances. Tampa Bay may be able to ease him back in a bit differently this year, too, thanks to the summer addition of veteran defenseman John Carlson. Carlson signed a two-year deal early in free agency and still has the ability to take on big minutes, which gives the Lightning a chance not to lean as heavily on their captain right away.
In Toronto, new Maple Leafs GM John Chayka has been busy changing more than just the roster. Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star reported that 35 of the 130 people listed on last season’s staff directory are no longer there, with most of the turnover tied to Chayka putting his own stamp on the organization. McGran also detailed the new hierarchy at the top of the front office, which now includes several fresh faces in key roles alongside Chayka.
In Boston, Fraser Minten is entering a contract year and isn’t hiding that an extension would be welcome. The Bruins center told Jim McBride of The Boston Globe that a long-term deal is on his mind and that it would be “super appealing” to get something done.
Minten, 22, finished last season with 17 goals and 18 assists in 82 games and even spent time anchoring the top line. With that kind of season, he looks like a player Boston can build around for the long haul, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if GM Don Sweeney tries to get extension talks moving soon, if they aren’t already.
In Other News...
John Carlson Gives Lightning Fans A Reason To Dream On Defense
The Lightnings blue line took another turn this week as the club added veteran defenseman John Carlson on a two-year contract after moving on from Darren Raddysh. For a team that has long leaned on puck-moving defensemen to help drive its attack, Carlson fits the mold immediately, bringing a track record that stretches across 17 NHL seasons and a reputation for making an impact at both ends of the rink.
At 36, Carlson still comes with the kind of resume that commands attention, including more than 1,100 career games and 170 goals from the back end. Last season, he split time between Washington and Anaheim and continued to produce at a level that suggests there is still plenty left in his game, which is exactly the sort of bet Tampa Bay seems willing to make as it reshapes its defense. [Read more 🡒]
Lightning History Includes One Painful Contract Fans Still Haven't Forgotten
Tampa Bays contract history has had plenty of winners, and a quick look back makes it easy to see why the Lightning have stayed so competitive for so long. Nikita Kucherovs eight-year, $76 million extension stands out as one of the smartest moves the franchise has made, and Andrei Vasilevskiys three-year, $10.5 million deal also belongs in the top tier after he developed into a cornerstone in goal and helped define an era of success.
But the ledger has not been spotless, and one name still lingers whenever fans revisit the mistakes. Ryan Callahans six-year, $34.8 million contract is remembered as one of the franchises toughest swings, mostly because injuries kept him from providing the kind of impact Tampa Bay expected when it committed so much term and money to him. [Read more 🡒]