Defenseman Victor Hedman signs his rookie contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning

In what was more a procedural exercise than a negotiation, defenseman Victor Hedman, selected No. 2 in the draft, signed his rookie deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. It is a standard three-year contract for $900,000 per season. With bonuses, Hedman could make up to $3.75 million, though that is highly unlikely.

Here is the announcement from the team:

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed defenseman Victor Hedman to a standard three-year rookie contract today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced. Hedman was selected by the Lightning with the second overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the first time in franchise history Tampa Bay has picked second overall.

"We are thrilled to be able to take this next step with Victor today," said Lawton upon making the announcement. "He has a bright future and we intend on him being a member of the Lightning for a long time. We are excited to get his signing behind us so he can solely focus on hockey and the continued development of his game."

Hedman, 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, was rated as the top European player and one of the top two players overall available in the draft according to NHL Central Scouting. He spent the 2008-09 season with MoDo of the Swedish Elite League where he earned Rookie of the Year honors as an 18-year-old. Hedman recorded seven goals and 21 points for MoDo in 43 games. He ranked second on the team, first among defensemen, in plus/minus rating with a plus-21 and was second among defensemen in points (only behind former NHL player Mattias Timander).

A native of Ornskoldsvik , Sweden , Hedman represented his country in each of the previous two World Junior Championships, winning the Silver Medal twice. During the 2009 tournament he recorded two assists and had a plus-4 rating in six games as Sweden fell to Canada in the Gold Medal Game. In 2008, Hedman was named to the tournament all-star team after recording an assist and a plus-5 rating in six games. He also played for Sweden at the 2008 World Under-18 Championships, recording a goal and four points in four games.

Hedman has spent the majority of the previous two seasons with MoDo, playing in the Swedish Elite League. During his two-year professional career there he has amassed nine goals and 25 points with a plus-22 rating in 82 games. He also played in five post season games with MoDo in 2007-08, recording one goal.

Comments

[Lightning Rod]

Good points, about not setting expectations to high regarding "the Headman"; but it sure looks like he has everything a D-man needs to become one. Also, he maybe ahead of the typical development curve, as he has played 2 years, with men not kids, in the Elite league. I can't think of one, normal age draftee, with that type of experience, coming into the NHL, so development comparisons to typical good young D-men may not apply (3-5 yrs.). Let's hope that, as we fans and the team sure could use and deserve a change of fortune, over the last 2 years.

[Randy C]

Patrick,

I think the speed of the league won't blow him away because of playing in the Elite league. The hitting will take some getting used to, and the smaller rink. I don't expect him to dominate, but becoming a solid contributor shouldn't take him long.

[goldenbolt]

Ok, these are the strengths for Vic.
He is big 6'6' 220 and fast on the skates.
Likes to carry the puck out of the zone - versus the perenial wrap around we have seen for the last 3+ years. (Ajax, Don and I have harped on this for a long time).
Will use the body to close players out. (When is Smaby going to be signed) My dream pairing in 1 to 2 years.
Has played in an adult league as a 17 and 18 year old.
Worked with Timmander who you can bet has been a good tutor for him while learning the 'D' game.

Does he come out smoking with a 20 goal 40 assist year. You must be kidding. I would be happy with starting on the third pair 8 - 10 minutes a game for the first 20 to 30 then moving to the second pairing with time on the PK and PP.

That would be an outstanding year for him and even if he only stays on the 3rd 'd' pair this year that is more than adequate.

[Patrick]

Hy,

I hope the majority of the blog agrees with you, but I'm not sure. Last year when Stamkos was drafted, many people were posting that he would start right away as our 2nd line center (basically because that's what we really needed). I remember being thoroughly chastised when I said Halpern would be our 2nd line center when he came back from injury and for his first season, Stamkos would probably be the 3rd or 4th line center. And people were bashing Stamkos after his performance the first half of the year. I remember I was somewhat disappointed as well, but kept reminding myself he was only 18-19. The defense position takes even longer to master. I guarantee many will be disappointed if he takes as long as even Bouwmeester did to start fulfilling his potential. People normally don't like to wait years for something, heh.

He would outdo Bouwmeester if he ends his rookie year with 20 points and an even +/-.

Wow, we can always dream, but I don't think Hedder is gonna be another Bourque. In Bourque's rookie season he only scored 17 goals, 65 points and was +52. That's not too lofty a goal is it?

[Casper]

Yes, exactly like icing.

I like your remedy, play on.

Go Bolts!

[hyjyljyj]

"If this guy turns out to be the second coming of Raymond Bork or Scott Stevens then hallelujah, but don't get your hopes up so high that you set yourself up for a big let down if this guy doesn't look like a super-stud after 5 games into the season."

Thanks anyway but anybody following the Lightning for any length of time is already so familiar with the high-hopes/letdown cycle that this warning is unnecessary at best. The guy's only 18, and being on D, a Crosbylike splash isn't anticipated. We'll be happy with reasonably justifiable positioning, a willingness to block shots and hit, and a nice first pass out or chip up the boards without the obligatory [and maddeningly idiotic] "delay of game" penalty for going over the glass. (BTW is there anyone else out there who thinks chipping it over the glass is EXACTLY LIKE ICING in every important way and should be treated as such, with a quick face-off in the zone with tired defenders, instead of DELAYING THE GAME by calling a penalty every time? IMHO it's ridiculous to hand out freebie power plays by penalizing such an inconsequential action the same as, say, slugging the goalie in the head with a gloved fist.)

[Casper]

In his rookie year, Victor could not possibly look more goofy than did Kubina. He’s signed for 3 years; let’s see if we can keep him beyond then. Tokarski sure hopes so.

I wanted Hedman and Stamkos to be the next two faces on our Mt. Rushmore, let us all have patience. Patience and refrain from overpayment/jettison to other teams before they hit their prime.

Go ahead, bring on Niittimaki; a Finn in goal isn’t the worst thing. He’s hopefully more mature than the last kid, and his hip only has to stay intact until Riku is ready, 15 months from now.

Bork, NTMM? lol. You spelled ‘hallelujah’ alright, but slacked on Raymond Bourque?

Is Coach Wilson here yet?

Go Bolts!

[Patrick]

I second the Malboro Man - Hedman is about the long term, not the short term. I am psyched about us getting him because I am looking forward to him reaching his potential over the course of his career here, not his first season. If he can just be a steady defenseman in this upcoming season, no need for flash, we'll be another player better off than we were last year. In 2-3 years, hopefully we see some Bourque-esque stuff out of him.

Really looking forward to watching him play in the scrimmage Saturday. I keep reading about how good a skater this 6'6 220 lb guy is - I hope I see it!

[Don in St. Pete]

Tocchet has already said they'll bring him along slowly, as they did with Stamkos once Tocchet took over. I wouls expect him to start out on the 3rd pairing and to get 2nd powerplay unit duty. If he has a particularly bad game we'll probably see him in the press box. Once he gets comfortable with the pace of the game they will probably increase his minutes by moving him to the second pairing and give him some time on the first power play unit.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Truthfully, I'm excited about the signing but I'm skeptical about the impact that Hedman will have in his first season as an NHL defenseman. Defenseman is the toughest and hardest position to play in the NHL. Those who excel at the position usually don't do so until they have 3 to 5 years established as a starter in the league. If this guy turns out to be the second coming of Raymond Bork or Scott Stevens then hallelujah, but don't get your hopes up so high that you set yourself up for a big let down if this guy doesn't look like a super-stud after 5 games into the season.

[Herb]

Thanks Smitty

[SmittyFan]

Herb, I heard it comes out next Wednesday -- July 15.

[olin]

.....best thing to happen since the Bolt's signed V4, other than winning the cup or getting the NHL franchise.

[Herb]

Hey DC, when does the '09-10 NHL schedule come out?