The real reason behind Victor Hedman’s mental health struggles exposed before season starts

Victor Hedman has been one of the most dominant defensemen in the NHL for the better part of two decades. Last season however, something changed inside the Tampa Bay Lightning captain's mind that no amount of physical toughness could fix.

Hedman, now 35 and entering his 18th NHL season, opened up about the performance anxiety that overwhelmed him during the 2025-26 campaign, ultimately leading him to step away from the team in mid-March. The revelation adds crucial context to one of the most talked-about absences in the league last year.

"I was playing on needles almost, and was just waiting for that mistake or whatnot," Hedman said. "You make a mistake and you can't shake it off, and you just feel like you're hurting the team more than you're helping the team. So good leadership is sometimes knowing the right thing is to step away."

The anxiety didn't arrive overnight. Hedman's body had been failing him in stages. He entered last season recovering from a broken foot suffered in the playoffs, rolled his ankle before training camp, and then injured his hip in his first preseason game. An elbow injury followed, requiring surgery so he could represent Sweden at the Olympics for the first time.

He played a career-low 33 games.

The mental toll mounted alongside the physical one. Hedman, who has worked with a therapist for four years, found himself magnifying every on-ice error. Game days became a source of dread rather than excitement. On March 19, it reached a breaking point when he left a game in Vancouver between periods after logging just six shifts.

"It had been building for a long time," Hedman said. "It was tough, but I think the important thing is when you start feeling it, is to try and handle it right away and talk to people that are close to you."

Now Hedman appears rejuvenated. He has trimmed his weight to 228 pounds, the lightest he has been since he was 17, down from his typical range of 240 to 244. Coach Jon Cooper noted that Hedman is "flying out there" during camp.

Still, the road back to a prominent role won't be handed to him. Tampa Bay added veteran defenseman John Carlson over the summer, and eight NHL-caliber blueliners are competing for spots. Hedman is currently skating on what projects as the fourth pairing alongside Max Crozier.

"For me, it's about getting back to where I know I can be," Hedman said. "And I know when I'm at my game that I can still be a top defender in this league."

The fact that Hedman feels confident enough to say those words might be the most encouraging sign of all. I cannot wait to see how he rolls this season.