Report: Lightning In Talks To Re-Sign "All-Timer"

It's only a matter of time until the Tampa Bay Lightning lay pen to paper to re-sign one of their All-Timers, 15-year veteran and two-time Stanley Cup champion Victor Hedman.

As a Norris Trophy winner, and five-time finalist, Hedman continues to be the rock of the Bolts' blueline, and GM Julien BriseBois has already begun talks on an extension, and has every intention of having Hedman complete his NHL career as a "Lighting Lifer" as he told Joe Smith in The Athletic.

We’d love to keep Victor going forward. He’s an elite, elite defenseman. He’s one of the special all-time players, an all-time Tampa Bay Lightning Bolt who is still super productive. There’s no reason to believe that won’t be the case going forward.

His 16th season next year would have marked the end of his current contract, but according to reports, the two sides have been in touch on a potential extension since last week.

Hedman logged 24:48 of ice time per night this season, eighth in the NHL, while posting his second-best offensive year with 76 points in 78 games along with a +18 rating.

Fellow Tampa rearguard Mikhail Sergachev says he doesn't see his 33-year-old teammate slowing down anytime soon.

“He’s just a horse. He’s not slowing down. When you see a player not slowing down, you’re like, ‘Why? He’s getting older.’ That’s because he works and takes care of himself.

“He’s going to go down as one of the best to ever play defenseman. He’s everything you want.”

The Bolts, of course, have another "All-Time Lighting" to worry about this off-season, as 16-year veteran Steven Stamkos is heading into unrestricted free agency. BriseBois has reached out to Stamkos's agent, with plans of bringing him back as well.