Lightning's Victor Hedman Remains Out, Cooper Offers Cryptic Update

Tampa Bay's star defenseman has not been ruled out for the playoffs but is not available to play at the moment.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:54pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey player in action, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue, white, and red representing the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens team colors.Hedman's absence creates a fractured defensive landscape for the Lightning as they enter the playoffs.Today in Tampa

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper provided an update on the status of star defenseman Victor Hedman, who has been out since late March due to an illness. Cooper said Hedman has started skating and is around the team, but he is not currently available to play. The Lightning are preparing to face the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs without their captain and two-time Stanley Cup champion.

Why it matters

Hedman's absence is a significant blow for the Lightning, who are looking to make another deep playoff run. As one of the league's elite defensemen, Hedman's two-way play and leadership are crucial to Tampa Bay's success. His status will be closely monitored as the playoffs progress.

The details

Hedman has not played since leaving a March 19 game against the Vancouver Canucks due to an illness. He missed the final 15 games of the regular season, and the team later announced he was taking a leave of absence for personal reasons. This is the first update provided on his status since then. Cooper said Hedman has started skating and is around the team, but he is not currently an option to play in the first-round series against the Canadiens. It's unclear if or when Hedman may return during the playoffs.

  • Hedman last played on March 19 against the Vancouver Canucks.
  • Hedman missed the final 15 games of the regular season.
  • The Lightning announced Hedman was taking a leave of absence for personal reasons a week after he last played.

The players

Victor Hedman

A star defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning and two-time Stanley Cup champion. Hedman is the franchise's highest-scoring defenseman and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2020.

Jon Cooper

The head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who provided the update on Hedman's status.

Montreal Canadiens

The Tampa Bay Lightning's first-round opponent in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“'Jon Cooper with a Victor Hedman update, says the Tampa captain has started skating and is around the team now and will join the Lightning on the road trip to Montreal. But Cooper says he's not available to play at the moment. That could change at some point but unclear still.'”

— Pierre LeBrun, Reporter

What’s next

The Lightning and Canadiens will begin their first-round playoff series on Sunday, April 20, in Tampa. Hedman's status will continue to be monitored as the series progresses, and it remains to be seen if he will be able to return at some point during the playoffs.

The takeaway

Hedman's absence is a significant concern for the Lightning as they look to make another deep playoff run. His two-way play and leadership are crucial to the team's success, and his status will be closely watched as the postseason continues. The Lightning will have to find a way to overcome his loss, at least in the early stages of the playoffs, as they take on the Canadiens in the opening round.