Victor Hedman

The Tampa Bay Lightning expected Hedman to grow into an elite defenseman when they selected him with the No. 2 pick in the 2009 NHL Draft. Those expectations have been amply rewarded.

Hedman was voted winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman in 2018. Two years later, he was voted winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs after helping the Lightning win their second championship since entering the NHL in 1992. Hedman scored 10 goals, the most by a defenseman since Brian Leetch of the New York Rangers scored 11 in 1994. His average ice time of 26:20 was the most of any player whose team got as far as the second round of the playoffs.