Victor Hedman never even considered that he’d become the Lightning’s captain. He would have been content to remain as Robin to Steven Stamkos’ Batman for years to come, until the two future Hall of Famers hung up their skates.

The Lightning selected Victor Hedman as the team captain, making the big defenseman the successor to Steven Stamkos.

TAMPA -- Victor Hedman was named captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. The 33-year-old defenseman replaces Steven Stamkos, who held the role from 2014-24 before he signed a four-year, $32 million contract ($8 million average annual value) with the Nashville Predators on July 1.