from Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times,

However, when Stralman joined Hedman, 23, last week for the team's informal skates at the Ice Forum, he said they had quick-developing chemistry.

"It's almost like that when you meet a fellow Swede, it's like you've known each other forever," Stralman said. "It's just natural."

How the two Swedes mesh on the ice could go a long way toward determining whether Stralman will join Hedman in the Lightning's top pairing this season, a decision that will be sorted out in training camp, which starts Sept. 18 at Amalie Arena.

Stralman was Tampa Bay's biggest free agent addition on July 1, signing a five-year, $22.5 million deal to help bolster the blue line. And Stralman, who has never been partnered with a Swede in the NHL, would be pumped to be paired with Hedman, who has developed into one of the league's top young defensemen.

"It'd be awesome to play together," Hedman said. "But we'll see what happens."

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