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It seems like it was just yesterday Victor Hedman was the behemoth Modo defenseman going neck and neck with John Tavares going into the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The New York Islanders, of course, grabbed the then OHL phenom, while the Tampa Bay Lightning had to “settle” for the potential all-world defenseman — potential being the key word that seemed to be attached to Hedman for his first four years in the league.
While he broke out in 2013-14 by finishing in the top 10 in Norris Trophy balloting, this playoff run for the Lightning has been Hedman’s ascent to the world stage. At 6-foot-6, Hedman is as big as he is talented and his skating ability, especially for such a large man, is world class. That size and skating ability have been utilized to keep the Chicago Blackhawks‘ dynamic duo of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews off their game in the Stanley Cup Final and allowed Tampa Bay to build a 2-1 series lead. It’s not just on defense that former No. 2 overall pick has made his presence known, as the towering Swede has amassed 14 points through 22 playoff games and along the way established a new franchise record for points by a blue liner in a single playoff year.
Hedman’s spring pass to set up Ryan Callahan in Game 3 of the Final in so many ways epitomized the growth he’s undergone as a player. A few years ago that pass is a turnover and the Blackhawks more than likely get a decent scoring chance out of it, but now it’s yet another weapon the 24-year-old has in his repertoire. With Tampa two wins from the franchise’s second ever Stanley Cup, Hedman will need to keep up his level of play in order for the Lightning to close the deal. The next few games will show the rest of the world what fans in Central Florida have come to know of the past two seasons — potential turned into productivity is a beautiful sight.
