Victor Hedman had himself a week. The Tampa Bay Lightning played four times and the Big Swede picked up points in all four. All in all he had 8 points (2 goals, 6 assists) with two 3 point games. All of that production led to the NHL naming him the second star of the week. Jonathan Huberdeau (Florida Panthers) was the first star with his 9 points (1 goal, 8 assists) while Jake Guentzel (Pittsburgh Penguins) was the third star banging home 5 goals.
It’s the second time Hedman has earned Star of the Week honors having earned the number one star for the week ending on December 29, 2019. He’s also the third member of the Lightning to win the award this season following Steven Stamkos (third star, October 17th) and Alex Killorn (third star, October 31).
The productive week highlights Hedman’s reemergence as one of the top point producers from the blueline. After seeing his totals and rates dip last season, the 30-year-old defender is back on his game. His 26 points is tops among NHL defenseman as is his 21 assists. He’s also leading the way when it comes to even strength points so it’s not like he’s leaning on the power play.
The gaudy offensive numbers will garner some more Norris trophy talk because, well, the NHL decision makers still equate a lot of points with “good defense”. While Hedman has been alright in his own zone, it’s not like he’s a lockdown defender. He takes too many chances offensively (which is a good thing) to ever be considered the best defensive defensemen.
That’s not what the Lightning want him to do. They don’t want him hanging out in his own zone blocking shots and throwing hits. That’s what Erik Cernak is for. Hedman needs to be down where the action is, even if that leads to the occasional odd skater rush the other way. His offense outweighs any defensive lapses (not that there are many) that may occur over the course of the game.
He’s been getting better as the season has wore on, an indication that he’s betting stronger after off-season surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee, an issue that he dealt with for a large portion of last season. This offense is just so much better when he’s operating at the top of his game.
Lightning / NHL News
10 Facts about the Lightning’s 1,000 wins [Raw Charge]
Geo goes over some fun facts about the first 1000 wins in franchise history.
Syracuse Crunch Wrap [Raw Charge]
There were no games for Syracuse last week, but that might be a good thing.
Lightning prospect traded [The WHL]
Jack Finley is on the move. The Spokane Chiefs dealt the Lightning draft pick to the Winnipeg ICE. Spokane sent Finley and a 2024 seventh-round pick to Winnipeg in exchange for Chase Bertholet, James Form, and a second-round pick.
Corey Perry feeling comfortable, suddenly filling the net [Tampa Bay Times]
“It’s not easy to step in and contribute right away. But yeah, I was getting chances and they weren’t going in the net, and I’m starting to feel it a little bit now, and our whole line’s been playing really well.”
Flyers fire Alain Vigneault [Broad Street Hockey]
Losing 7-1 when you’re team is already riding a 7-game winless streak is usually not great for keeping one’s job. The Flyers loss to the Lightning on Sunday was the final straw that broke the coaching camel’s back in Philadelphia. Alain Vigneault (pictured above asking an assistant to check Monster.com for job openings) and Michel Therrien are out and Mike Yeo will take over as interim head coach.
Robin Lehner turns down invite to Winter Olympics [ESPN]
After speaking with his psychologist Lehner has decided against accepting the invite from Sweden to play for them in the Winter Olympics. The rigid COVID protocols and the potential of long, isolating quarantines were the main concerns Lerhner cited in his decision.
The Jim Benning Era is over [Nucks Misconduct]
Kent Basky does a nice job of reviewing the unmitigated disaster that was the Jim Benning Era in Vancouver. He expresses a little hope, if not for this season than the future, that the Canucks can actually turn things around with Bruce Boudreau behind the bench.
Thank you, Jim Benning [Matchsticks and Gasoline]
It appears the Calgary Flames fan base will miss Benning a little more than the Canucks.
Three routes the Detroit Red Wings can take in the off-season [Winging it in Motown]
With the success the youngsters have had in Detroit, the Red Wings are at a bit of a crossroads. Do they stick with developing the youth or make a splash in the free agent market. Based on his his history, old friend Steve Yzerman may be ready to make a few moves.
If you look at the Lightning following the 2013-14 season (their first trip to the playoffs in three seasons) Mr. Yzerman made some noise. First he locked up Ondrej Palat, Alex Killorn, and Ryan Callahan. Then he traded for Jason Garrison. After clearing out some salary cap he signed Anton Stralman and Brian Boyle as free agents.
Jason Spezza will have an in-person hearing/Zoom hearing with DOPS [DOPS Twitter]
In a hit that was eerily similar, although way more intentional, to the one Corey Perry knocked John Tavares out of the playoffs with last year Spezza kneed the Winnipeg Jets forward Neal Pionk in the head on Sunday night. The veteran forward will likely end up suspended for a few games. The hit will be seen as intentional and retaliatory for a knee-to-knee hit Pionk laid on Rasmus Sandin earlier in the game. Pionk received a two-game suspension for the hit following an audio call with the league. Wayne Simmonds was fined for his actions in the game as well.
