Player Discussion: Victor Hedman

[The Macho King]

1/4th of the way through the season and Hedman seems to have finally made that step. We all know how he's playing right now. He's been the best player all year while drawing the toughest assignments. He has made our PK stellar (only giving up 5-3 goals in the past couple of weeks), has been a monster defensively, and has amazing offensive instincts. I am so impressed with his ability to jump in or lead the rush, but get back on D and not get caught out of position.

So three cheers for the Hedmonster!

Click to read more...

 

[sillystring]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=655400

FINALISTS

Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning: It is quite likely stalwarts Weber and Chara will be back on this list soon, but for now Hedman deserves some recognition for his strong start. The Lightning were rolling before four straight losses, but Hedman's play has not slipped. He's been on the ice for 13 goals for at even strength and one against, and it hasn't been against fluff competition.

 

[LightningStrikes]

Beast.

 

[The Macho King]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=655400

DAMN. That's impressive.

 

[Sky04]

His development the previous 2 years was pretty stagnant, I know everyone game him the benefit of the doubt, but some of you have to admit that, you were a little underwhelmed.

That being said, his progress from last season to this has been incredible, it's literally taking a kid from his rookie season and time warping him into his prime right in front of your eyes. Hopefully he can keep up this level of play for years to come.

Now if only we could've taken Fowler in 2010 to play alongside him in the future (Yes I'm still bitter).

 

[HoseEmDown]

His development the previous 2 years was pretty stagnant, I know everyone game him the benefit of the doubt, but some of you have to admit that, you were a little underwhelmed.

That being said, his progress from last season to this has been incredible, it's literally taking a kid from his rookie season and time warping him into his prime right in front of your eyes. Hopefully he can keep up this level of play for years to come.

Now if only we could've taken Fowler in 2010 to play alongside him in the future (Yes I'm still bitter).

If we had taken Fowler then Hedman's offense would never develope as he'd have to cover for Fowler's terrible defense. I also think Connolly can be a first line forward and I believe Fowler is good but not a top pair D, his defensive shortcomings will hold him back.
I really think Hedman has stepped his game up cause he felt the heat of Brian Lee coming for his spot.

 

[ThunderAlleyNomad]

One of the few genuine pleasures this season has been watching Hedman play. He's so collected out there now. Criminally underrated around the league, but that's ok. Maybe he'll keep catching people off guard.

 

[Cigar City]

Hedman has EASILY been the best player on our team this year. I never thought I would say that, but it truly is fun to watch him. He seems way more comfortable with the puck and I always get hyped up when I see him going coast to coast.

 

[zeykshade]

There are very few people, on the planet, that can move that well at 6'6". His skating is freakishly good. What we saw in spurts last season, between injuries and the leash being yanked, we're getting in healthy doses now.

The goal off of his hand/stick against MTL was amazing. Not for the finish, but for the step he took at the blue line to beat the defense to the net backdoor. Someone that big, shouldn't be able to move that fast, that smoothly. It looked effortless.

 

[Yzlamic Preacher*]

If we had taken Fowler then Hedman's offense would nevAlso so develop nevAlso develope as he'd have to cover for Fowler's terrible defense. I also think Connolly can be a first line forward and I believe Fowler is good but not a top pair D, his defensive shortcomings will hold him back.
I really think Hedman has stepped his game up cause he felt the heat of Brian Lee coming for his spot.

Wait what? Brian Lee... Coming for Hedman's spot... What? When did this happen?

Also Hedman is beasting. Let's just sit back and remember the good old times, when people were telling us we would need to add Hedman to the package to get Luongo.

 

[The Macho King]

There are very few people, on the planet, that can move that well at 6'6". His skating is freakishly good. What we saw in spurts last season, between injuries and the leash being yanked, we're getting in healthy doses now.

The goal off of his hand/stick against MTL was amazing. Not for the finish, but for the step he took at the blue line to beat the defense to the net backdoor. Someone that big, shouldn't be able to move that fast, that smoothly. It looked effortless.

First thing that came to my mind.

 

[WeedCrimes]

Wait what? Brian Lee... Coming for Hedman's spot... What? When did this happen?

Hose has been pumping Brian Lee's tires for a week or so now.

I can't tell if he's doing it ironically yet, but I have a feeling he isn't being completely earnest.

 

[Steazy Doo]

Deserves every ounce of praise he's getting right now. This team's MVP, there's no discussion about it.

 

[bassassin]

His time in the KHL and having Salo on his pairing really seems to have helped him.

It's nice having a dman who is solid defensively to pair with him to allow him to roam more offensively.

Anyone want to see him paired with Gudas next season to see if the hitting/beard rubs off on Hedman too?

 

[LTIR Trickery]

His development the previous 2 years was pretty stagnant, I know everyone game him the benefit of the doubt, but some of you have to admit that, you were a little underwhelmed.

That being said, his progress from last season to this has been incredible, it's literally taking a kid from his rookie season and time warping him into his prime right in front of your eyes. Hopefully he can keep up this level of play for years to come.

Now if only we could've taken Fowler in 2010 to play alongside him in the future (Yes I'm still bitter).

I don't know how people keep saying this and believing it. Kids with stagnant development don't pull 24 minutes a night against teams best competition as a 21 year old. He played quite well last year, just with little offensive flair. This year you're seeing both ends of the ice come together for the big guy.

 

[chasespace]

His time in the KHL seems to have lit a fire under him. His offensive play has been phenomenal and his defense has improved a lot.

 

[Sky04]

I don't know how people keep saying this and believing it. Kids with stagnant development don't pull 24 minutes a night against teams best competition as a 21 year old. He played quite well last year, just with little offensive flair. This year you're seeing both ends of the ice come together for the big guy.

That's not a very good argument considering the pathetic defense the lightning had last year, we had no choice but to play Hedman big minutes, Brewer was going to log a lot of ice time no matter what, then you pick between Hedman, MAB(who averaged 19mins a game for us ), Brett Clark (18.5mins/game), Lee and Mikkelsson.

 

[LTIR Trickery]

That's not a very good argument considering the pathetic defense the lightning had last year, we had no choice but to play Hedman big minutes, Brewer was going to log a lot of ice time no matter what, then you pick between Hedman, MAB(who averaged 19mins a game for us ), Brett Clark (18.5mins/game), Lee and Mikkelsson.

If his peripherals were ******, i'd agree... but they weren't.

 

[Nordic*]

Where do you see Hedman compard to other top defencemen in the NHL? What range, 15-20?

 

[Sky04]

Where do you see Hedman compard to other top defencemen in the NHL? What range, 15-20?

He needs to keep up this level of play for at least 1 season before being considered that high.

 

[The Macho King]

He needs to keep up this level of play for at least 1 season before being considered that high.

I agree. He's legit top pairing/#1 on a lot of teams, and if he keeps up his stellar play I wouldn't hesitate to put him top 10, but right now you could chalk it up to a hot start.

 

[LTIR Trickery]

Where do you see Hedman compard to other top defencemen in the NHL? What range, 15-20?

Its too early for all that. Something to be addressed in about a season and a half.

 

[LTIR Trickery]

That's not a very good argument considering the pathetic defense the lightning had last year, we had no choice but to play Hedman big minutes, Brewer was going to log a lot of ice time no matter what, then you pick between Hedman, MAB(who averaged 19mins a game for us ), Brett Clark (18.5mins/game), Lee and Mikkelsson.

Also, MABs average was over half of a season last year. Its easy to have 2-3 weird games where he plays 25 minutes (and he actually looked good in a few of those outings, like it or not) and have it skew TOI numbers. Brewer was in over his head, Clark had a broken foot mostly the whole season, but hes still a top four defender. Really, Brewer and Clark are basically 3 and 4 slot defenders. Those are the guys that were outplaying roles, not Hedman.

Heddy constantly matched up against the teams toughest competition and wasn't out of place, but the forward corps tended to be. Poor Clarkie too... went from a hero and a shot blocking monster one year to "OMG ITS ALL HIS FAULT" by some people.

 

[Stammer Time*]

Where do you see Hedman compard to other top defencemen in the NHL? What range, 15-20?

No Nordic, you were right when you would constantly bash him. I'd say somewhere between Marek Malik and Lukas Krajicek.

 

[The Macho King]

He needs to keep up this level of play for at least 1 season before being considered that high.

The other thing I'll say on that note: There aren't that many Dmen in the league that I would want over him going forward. Value-wise to a franchise, speaking of not only how good he is but what you can expect from him long term, he's probably a top 10 value player in the league. He's good now, showing elite early in the season, with the potential to be elite for a long time.