Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman says his personal leave during the later part of the season is due to mental health needs. CBC News reports that Hedman disclosed that his absence in the final weeks stems from time taken to address his mental well-being. The Winnipeg Free Press similarly states that Hedman’s personal leave this season is intended to focus on mental health. In both accounts, Hedman does not describe additional details beyond the purpose of the leave. The reporting frames the leave as a personal matter related to mental health rather than a conventional injury update. Hedman’s comments come amid the team’s season context, clarifying that his time away is not attributed to a typical on-ice or physical reason. Both outlets present the same core information: Hedman takes leave and explains that it is for mental health, and that his absence in the season’s final stretch is linked to that need.