TAMPA, Fla. \- The Tampa Bay Lightning secured a key piece of their future today, signing defenseman Victor Hedman to a four-year contract extension with an average annual value of $8 million. The deal kicks in for the 2025-26 season and runs through 2028-29. The 33-year-old Hedman is a force on both ends of the ice. In the 2023-24 season, he notched an impressive 63 assists and 76 points, ranking high among all NHL defensemen. His contributions were especially valuable on the power play, where he racked up 31 points. Read: GM BriseBois On Not Signing Stamkos And Other Moves Make The Tampa Bay…