Victor Hedman reveals why he left Lightning before Canadiens playoff games

Veteran defenseman Victor Hedman recently left the Tampa Bay Lightning before the team's playoff run, citing performance anxiety and physical issues as the primary reasons for his departure. Hedman, who has been with the team for 18 seasons, played his last game on March 19, 2026, after one period in a 6-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Days later, the Lightning announced his leave of absence for personal reasons.

In a recent interview, Hedman explained that his decision was not due to feeling low but rather a sense of performance anxiety that overwhelmed him during game days. The pressure made him feel physically and mentally drained, making it difficult for him to shake off mistakes once he made them. Hedman also suffered from injuries throughout the season, including a severe elbow injury that required surgery and a warm-up injury during Team Sweden's 2026 Winter Olympics quarterfinal against the United States.

He returned to the Lightning after the Olympic break but only played in 12 games before his final appearance of the season.

Hedman believed his departure was the right choice for both himself and the Lightning, as he felt he was not playing at his best and not making the expected contribution from a long-time captain. By stepping away, he missed the final 15 games of the regular season and all seven games of Tampa Bay's first-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens, which the Lightning lost 2-1 in Game 7 on May 3.

The defenseman, who is now in his 18th NHL season, stated that he feels better physically and mentally after taking this time off. Although it will take him some time to get back into the rhythm of the game, Hedman is motivated and confident about the upcoming season. His openness about his struggles with mental health has sent a powerful message throughout the NHL, inspiring others to seek help and support when needed.