Victor Hedman is hoping he can return from injury to play for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Boston Bruins in the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS).
"That's been a big motivation throughout this whole process, but at the same time there's a long season still left," Hedman said Thursday. "But we'll see what happens in the next coming days, but either way just to be part of that and seeing that atmosphere...and the weather looks to be super good for that game, so I'm sure the whole state is excited about that game."
The defenseman, who practiced with the Lightning for the second straight day on Thursday, hasn't played since Dec. 9. He was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 11, and on Dec. 15 the Lightning announced he would have a procedure on his elbow that would likley keep him out until February.
"I'll take it day by day," Hedman said Thursday, "and see what the training staff says."
Hedman will not play Thursday when the Lightning host the Winnipeg Jets (7 p.m. ET; The Spot, TSN3) in their final game before the Stadium Series.
He could be present when the Lightning practice at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday.
It's the first time the Lightning will host an outdoor game and the second outdoor game in Florida in the past few weeks; the Florida Panthers hosted the New York Rangers in the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 2 in Miami.
Hedman was asked if could've ever imagined an outdoor game in Tampa.
"No, Never in my wildest dreams, but it just goes to show how hockey has grown in this state and obviously having a Florida team in the Final six years in a row has helped, too," Hedman said. "But seeing the kids in the city of Tampa playing hockey and how much it's grown....and obviously, my kids as well want to start playing...but to see how many kids are out there wanting to learn how to skate and play the game, so hockey has become a big sport in this city and I'm super proud to be a part of it for such a long time."
The Lightning are likely to get another defenseman back for the game against Winnipeg as Ryan McDonagh is expected to return from an injury that has sidelined him since Dec. 22.
Hedman last played in a 6-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 9, his third game back after missing 12 with an undisclosed injury. He underwent elbow surgery on Dec. 15. Hedman had been skating on his own before rejoining the team for practice on Wednesday. He has 12 points, all assists, in 18 games this season and is averaging 21:05 time on ice per game.
He said it has been hard to be on the sideline, but the form of the team has made the rehab go by faster.
The Lightning (33-14-4) are 10-1-1 since Jan. 1 and 16-3-2 since Hedman last played Dec. 9. They are first in the Eastern Conference with 70 points, one point ahead of the Detroit Red Wings, and second in the League, nine points behind the Colorado Avalanche.
In addition to his return being good news for Tampa Bay, it's also a welcome sign for Team Sweden, which will rely on Hedman's play and leadership at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
The hockey tournament starts Feb. 11, when Sweden plays host Italy (3:10 p.m. ET; USA, CBC Gem). The gold-medal game is Feb. 22.
Being able to get into some NHL action will be huge for Hedman to prove his fitness for the Olympics. The Lightning have two games remaining after the Stadium Series before the League shuts down for the Olympic Break.
Sweden won the gold medal in 2006 when Hedman was 15 years old.
"Growing up back home, the biggest dream was to play in the Olympics and play for the three crowns," Hedman said. "So to get that opportunity here in a few weeks and back in Italy again, 20 years after that, it means the world for all of us. We're going to go there and try to repeat what they did."
NHL.com independent correspondent Corey Long contributed to this report
