The Tampa Bay Lightning are doing fine at the top of the Atlantic Division. However, squads like the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and Boston Bruins are catching up. So, it comes to no one’s surprise that Coach Jon Cooper is starting to look for more reinforcements to extend their lead over the division rivals. Will this mean that Victor Hedman’s return looms over the NHL?

Will Tampa Bay play The Big Swede?

Hedman has been out of the Lightning’s rotation since December 9 when they won 6-1 over the Montreal Canadiens. Coach Cooper and the rest of the staff has then advised him to undergo surgery for his elbow on December 15. He has since been seen practicing alongside the other players before they went up against the Utah Mammoth.

While practicing might not be the biggest sign of an immediate injury return, the Lightning defenseman cleared the air himself. He even teased fans of a possible return for their Stadium Series game against the Boston Bruins, via NHL.com.

“We’ll see. I’m feeling great. Today was obviously a great step. Being out there the whole thing and getting in every single drill. I’m pumped. It’s been good. Easier when we’ve been on the streak we’ve been on. The guys have been playing some unbelievable hockey. I think my legs are not going to be an issue, just timing and getting back into games, but I’m super pumped [where] I am today and keep moving forward,” he said about possibly returning by the end of the week.

The Lightning could surely use him as they close out these next games before the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. After all, Hedman is just coming off a year where he finished fifth for the James Norris Trophy. So, limiting the enemy’s scoring through him will only do good. Furthermore, the defenseman is also expected to lead Team Sweden at Milan. It would mean a great deal for his home country if they see him perform well in the NHL before the big tournament.

Coach Cooper knows that there are a lot of concerns about his player. The Lightning coach did not that Hedman is trending toward the right direction in injury recovery.

“Progressing. You know he’s still in a red jersey. This is the first time he got to participate with the full group, so those are the baby steps you’ve got to take. But he’s definitely getting closer,” the Lightning coach declared.

He also refused to rule out the possibility of Hedman playing the Stadium Series against the Bruins. So, will he be on the ice at Raymond James Stadium come Sunday?

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