Hedman Steps Away from Bolts for Personal Reasons

Victor Hedman, the Lightning's rock on the blue line and captain through thick and thin, takes a temporary leave for personal reasons that the front office is keeping under wraps tighter than a playoff series. This comes after a season already littered with injuries for the 35-year-old Swede, from elbow surgery to illnesses that sidelined him multiple times, forcing Tampa to patchwork their defense with call-ups like Emil Lilleberg and Steve Santini.