"Very deserving": NHL fans react as Victor Hedman gets named Tampa Bay Lightning's new captain

It was the end of an era for the Tampa Bay Lightning this summer as longtime franchise icon and team captain Steven Stamkos officially departed the only NHL club he's suited up for. He's now a member of the Nashville Predators, having inked a four-year, $32 million deal to move to the Western Conference.

This created a leadership vacancy, but that role has now been filled. Earlier today, the Lightning announced that veteran defenseman Victor Hedman has been named the 11th captain in team history. Immediately after the announcement, reactions from the fanbase began pouring in.

Most of the reactions were of a positive nature, with fans congratulating Hedman on his ascension to the captaincy.

"Very deserving. Team is lucky where one leader leaves but there’s plenty to go around, Hedman being one," one fan wrote.

"The only choice that made sense. Congrats, Heddy!" chimed in another fan.

However, more than a few fans offered their view that they were still disappointed over the fact that Stamkos wasn't given a new contract to continue his tenure as captain of the Lightning.

"Who else could it be? Still mad at you for doing 91 dirty," one fan wrote.

"Y’all disrespected Stamkos and should be ashamed," another fan exclaimed.

"You guys did Stamkos dirty! No wonder he left. You lost Sergachev, too. Do you really think your team is going to be the same this year? Congrats to Hedman though," yet another fan chimed in.

Victor Hedman has played 15 seasons in Tampa Bay

The Lightning selected Hedman with the second overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft behind first-overall pick John Tavares. His playing career began one year after Stamkos, who was the first overall pick in the draft the previous year.

A native of Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, Victor Hedman has played the last 15 years with the Lightning and recently agreed to a four-year contract extension to remain with Tampa Bay through the 2028-29 season.

He's appeared in 1,052 career games, scoring 156 goals and 572 assists while adding 23 goals and 94 assists in 152 career postseason games. He helped the Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021 while winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2020.

Additionally, he won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman in 2018 and was named a finalist for the award on five other occasions. Hedman has represented his native Sweden on the international stage in the World Championships, the World Junior Championships, and the World Cup.