NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Victor Hedman is set to undergo elbow surgery on Monday, sidelining the Tampa Bay Lightning's captain until February but paving the way for the hulking defenseman to play for Sweden at the upcoming Olympics in Milan.

The team announced Hedman's prognosis and time frame Friday after Jon Cooper confirmed Thursday that the soon-to-be 35-year-old Swede had aggravated an injury that recently caused him to miss 12 games.

“Obviously a step back,” Cooper said before the Lightning beat the New Jersey Devils without Hedman and several key contributors also on injured reserve. “We didn’t anticipate this.”

Cooper, who is Canada’s Olympic coach, said Sweden should not worry about Hedman's availability for the Olympics, adding: "Don’t let the country hit the panic button yet.” H

See Full Page