TAMPA, Fla. — Before discussing his future with the Tampa Bay Lightning, star defenseman Victor Hedman took a moment to reflect on the past, particularly his 15-year friendship with Steven Stamkos. Stamkos, the long-time face of the franchise, left in free agency after failing to reach a new contract agreement with the team that won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2020 and 2021.

“Nobody saw this coming, including me,” Hedman said Tuesday after signing a four-year, $32 million extension to stay with Tampa Bay through the 2028-29 season.

Stamkos, the team’s all-time scoring leader, signed an identical deal with the Nashville Predators.

“It’s going to be strange walking into our locker room and Amalie Arena without seeing him on the ice,” Hedman remarked. “It feels really weird, but hockey is a business, and this is how it turned out.”

Stamkos, 34, was the No. 1 overall pick by the Lightning in the 2008 draft. Tampa Bay picked Hedman second overall the following year. The two teenagers became cornerstones of one of the league’s most successful franchises over the past decade.