Victor Hedman Suffers Worrying Injury Ahead of 2026 Olympics

Victor Hedman, the star defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning and a key player for the Swedish national team, sustained a concerning injury in December 2025, just two months before the Winter Olympics in Milan. Hedman had only recently returned from a month-long injury break when he left the game against the Montreal Canadiens after playing just one period. Though Tampa Bay Lightning secured a commanding 6-1 victory, breaking a four-game losing streak, Hedman's exit cast a shadow over the win.

Tampa Bay's coach Jon Cooper described the injury as “quite worrying” and expressed significant concern, stating, “It’s tough to lose ‘the big guy’; he is such an important part of our team. We need to get him properly evaluated.” Hedman was scheduled for further medical examinations shortly after the game to determine the extent of the injury and whether it was related to his previous condition.

Hedman’s potential absence from the Olympic tournament would be a major setback for Tre Kronor, who rely heavily on his defensive prowess. The timing is particularly unfortunate given the proximity of the upcoming Olympics, where he is expected to be a cornerstone for Sweden's team. While specifics of his injury remain unclear, the swift departure from the game and the coach's remarks underscore the seriousness of the situation.

Despite the injury concerns, the Lightning’s performance featured highlights like Pontus Holmberg’s goal shortly after leaving the penalty box. However, the focus remains on Hedman’s health and the impact his unavailability could have on both his NHL club and the Swedish national team’s Olympic ambitions.