Tampa Bay Lightning lose Victor Hedman to IR, activate Nick Paul – Hockey Writers – NHL News

admin November 20, 2025

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Tampa Bay Lightning lose Victor Hedman to IR, activate Nick Paul – Hockey Writers – NHL News

The Tampa Bay Lightning have one player with a long-term injury, and they have another one back. According to Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley, captain and defender Victor Hedman is headed to injured reserve (IR). Head coach Jon Cooper said they’re “probably going to be out a few more weeks.”

Cooper tells us Victor Herdman is “probably out for a few more weeks” after going under IR this morning

— Gabby Shirley (@Gabby_Shirley_) November 20, 2025

While one of the team’s impactful players is out, another is healthy and set to take the field for the first time this season. Forward Nick Paul is no longer on long-term IR and will play Wednesday night against the Edmonton Oilers. As injuries continue to plague the Chargers, they at least have a health update.

Hedman has been sidelined since the Chargers’ 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Nov. 8. After missing several practices after the game, he was listed as day-to-day. The playing time in that game was 17 minutes and 51 seconds, the lowest in a single game this season. In 15 games played, he scored 12 points, all assists.

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Paul has been sidelined since mid-September after undergoing surgery on an upper-body injury. The undisclosed injury has been causing problems for him since last season.

Nick Paul, Tampa Bay Lightning (Amy Irving/Hockey Writers)

Regardless of the specific injury, he played in 76 regular season games, scoring 22 goals and 41 points. He also appeared in all five games of the Lightning’s Stanley Cup playoffs, scoring two goals. Having him back in the lineup will also help add more defensive quality to the top six.

The Chargers will enter tonight’s game without linebackers Ryan McDonald and Max Crozier. They were missing from the morning skate; McDonald has been out since Nov. 8 and Crozier missed Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils.

Defenseman Erik Cernak participated in the morning skate after missing Tuesday’s game. He was listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Rookie forward Dominic James recently returned after missing several games. He participated in the morning skate on Tuesday.