Lightning’s JJ Moser expected to be out week-to-week; Victor Hedman possible to return Tuesday night
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper told media on Tuesday that defenseman JJ Moser is expected to be out week-to-week with an undisclosed injury.
Moser left Thursday’s game against the Calgary Flames after registering an assist in 12:23 of ice time. He did not skate on Saturday in a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken.
Jon Cooper tells us JJ Moser is “probably week to week” and Victor Hedman is “trending in the right direction.” Cooper is hopeful that Hedman will play tonight.
— Gabby Shirley (@Gabby_Shirley_) December 17, 2024Moser was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 14, meaning he will be unable to return to the lineup until at least Dec. 22 against the Florida Panthers.
Moser has been a key piece for the Lightning since coming over from Utah over the summer. Moser has two goals and 10 points in 27 games, primarily playing alongside Victor Hedman on the top pairing. The Swiss native has 82 points in 232 career games over four seasons, primarily with the Arizona Coyotes. The 24-year-old has also represented his country in four World Championship tournaments, registering eight points in 25 games.
Hedman, meanwhile, has a chance to return to the lineup on Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has missed the last two games due to a lower-body injury, coming in the midst of a 10-game goal-less drought for the big, veteran blueliner.
Victor Hedman taking part in #GoBolts morning skate before #TBLightning host Columbus tonight. Jon Cooper said Hedman is “trending in the right direction” ahead of the game pic.twitter.com/CrUveqwNYt
— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) December 17, 2024Hedman is currently serving as Tampa’s captain for the first time this season. He has played some excellent hockey once again, sitting at 25 points in 26 games for an 80-game pace of 77 points. If he finished with that, it would just edge out his 76 points from a year ago, and would be the fourth time he has surpassed the 70-point barrier in his 16-year NHL career. Hedman has played his entire NHL career with the Bolts since they took him second overall in 2009, winning two Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021.
Tampa Bay also called up defenseman Declan Carlile from the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch as insurance. The 24-year-old scored a goal in his lone game this season and has two NHL games to his credit.
The Bolts will take on Columbus at 7:00 PM ET tonight at home before welcoming St. Louis to town on Thursday. Tampa will complete the pre-Christmas slate with a pair of back-to-backs against the Panthers on Sunday and Monday.
The club sits fourth in the Atlantic Division, one point behind Boston in third and six behind Toronto and Florida for first in the division.