Tampa Bay Lightning D Victor Hedman named to 2020 NHL All-Star Roster

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman has been named to the 2020 NHL All-Star Roster.  

The National Hockey League is gearing up for one of the most fan-favorite events of the season. On January 24, the best and brightest players from around the league will make their way to St. Louis for the start of the 2020 NHL All-Star weekend. As usual, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be represented at the star-studded event.

Earlier today, it was announced that Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman has been named to the 2020 NHL All-Star Roster. Hedman’s selection to the All-Star Roster should come as no surprise to anyone, especially those of us here in the Bolts Nation.

Victor Hedman has been the heart of the Lightning’s defense for quite some time now and has made a name for himself on both sides of the ice. Right now, Hedman is ranked third among the league’s defensemen in terms of points. The 29-year-old Swedish defenseman has brought home nine goals and 28 assists for a total of 37 points through 35 games.

Hedman’s numbers place him in eighth place in the league in goals among defensemen and in second place in the league in terms of assists. The two players with more points than Hedman thus far as John Carlson from the Washington Capitals and Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators.

Victor Hedman is on quite the hot streak offensively right now. Hedman has points in four of his last five games, which includes a four-point night in the Lightning’s 5-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. One of the most valuable assets in the game of hockey is a solid two-way defenseman. Victor Hedman definitely fits this bill.

The only strange thing to come out of today’s roster announcement is the lack of representation for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Victor Hedman is the one lone player making his way to the All-Star Game this year. The Lightning has had at least three players attend the event the last two seasons, so only having one player heading to the Weekend-long event is a little strange, to say the least.

The only thing we can think of that would cause the Lightning to have so few players headed to the All-Star Game this season is the struggles they’ve been experiencing this season. While they seem to have found their footing over the last couple of games and shown glimpses of the team, we know the Lightning are, the season did not start off so hot for the Bolts.

The one consistent positive the Lightning has had this season has been Victor Hedman.

Now, there is still hope the Tampa Bay Lightning could have at least one more player in attendance at the NHL All-Star Weekend. There is still the 2020 NHL All-Star Last Men In, which is voted on by the fans. The Lightning’s potential representative for the Atlantic Division is captain Steven Stamkos.

In other words, if you want to send the captain to the All-Star Game to accompany Victor Hedman, fans better put their fingers to the keys on Wednesday, January 1 when the voting opens at 12 p.m. Eastern Time. The voting will continue until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, January 10.

In the meantime, congratulations to Victor Hedman on being named to the 2020 NHL All-Star Roster. It is a well-deserved honor. Those of us here at Bolts By The Bay can’t wait to see how Hedman fares in the Skills Competition and what spectacles he’ll offer up at the All-Star Game.