started · updated
Victor Hedman prepares for return to Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman is preparing for his 18th NHL season, expressing readiness to return following a mid-season hiatus to address mental and physical health.
Hedman revealed that his decision to step away from the team on March 19 was driven by intense performance anxiety rather than deep depression. He described feeling physical pressure in his chest on game days that caused him to freeze and struggle with recovering from mistakes on the ice. This mental challenge was compounded by a physical elbow injury that had sidelined him earlier in the season.
During his previous season, Hedman appeared in 33 games, recording 17 points. He noted that his focus during his time away was on physical recovery and rebuilding his confidence through therapy and individual training. Hedman stated he feels fresh, motivated, and physically prepared to contribute to the Lightning for the upcoming season.
Entities
Montreal Canadiens · NHL · Tampa Bay Lightning · Vancouver Canucks · Victor Hedman
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Hedman stepped away from the team on March 19 after playing only six games and 4 minutes and 44 seconds against the Vancouver Canucks. 24-ore.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Hedman dealt with a physical elbow injury from mid-November to early December in the previous season. 24-ore.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The 35-year-old defenseman recorded 17 points in 33 games during his previous season. 24-ore.com · thehockeywriters.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Hedman experienced intense performance anxiety rather than deep depression during his mid-season absence. 24-ore.com · www.habsolumentfan.com · thehockeywriters.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Tampa Bay Lightning were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Montreal Canadiens in seven games. 24-ore.com · www.habsolumentfan.com · thehockeywriters.com