Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman and captain Victor Hedman has an elbow injury that will require surgery and keep ‍him out for several weeks.

One day after he returned to injured reserve, the team announced Friday that Hedman will undergo a procedure on his elbow Monday. His goal is to ‌be ready to represent Sweden ‌at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan; the men’s hockey tournament begins Feb. 11.

“Hedman, he’s our captain — he’s a huge part of our team,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper told reporters. “But if it’s going to happen — which ‍you don’t want it to — but if it is, it’s better it happens now than in April.”

Cooper ‍confirmed Thursday that Hedman had aggravated a previously unspecified injury that caused him to miss 12 games earlier this season. Hedman returned Dec. 6 and played three

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