Lightning’s Victor Hedman says he took leave to ‘focus on mental health’

Victor Hedman issued an announcement on Tuesday that partially addressed why he took private leave within the latter a part of the NHL season.

Hedman skated as a daily throughout Tampa Bay’s morning apply on Friday in the course of the first-round sequence with the Montréal Canadiens, however final performed March 19.

The 35-year-old Swede — a Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP in 2020 — took a brief leave for private causes on March 25, rejoining the crew early within the first-round sequence.

Hedman additionally stated in his assertion that “this is something that exists in our game more than people see,” with out elaborating. He didn’t present a timeline for a return, concluding his assertion saying he was wanting “forward to what’s next.”

Hedman was restricted to 33 video games within the common season, posting one objective and 16 assists after additionally lacking time due to elbow surgical procedure and an undisclosed harm.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper stated earlier than Game 6 that Hedman was “going to be the option really soon.”

The Lightning, who completed with a 50-26-6 file, have been eradicated by the Canadiens in seven video games.