OT: End of an era. Nick Lidstrom has retired.

Submitted by justingoblue on

"Retiring today allows me to walk away with pride, rather than have the game walk away from me"

Article.

It'll be weird without number five. I'm all for it going up in the rafters next season, hopefully right away like Yzerman's 19.

GoBlue0420

May 31st, 2012 at 11:31 AM ^

Greatest defensemen to ever play the game and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest Red Wings to ever play in any generation. He will be missed

Canada loves S…

May 31st, 2012 at 9:09 PM ^

Let's not forget dear old Doug Harvey in this conversation of greatest d men ever. After all he and Lidstrom are tied with 7 Norris trophies. That stat will not be equalled for a very long time.



Disclaimer: my close friend and former defense partner is Doug Harvey's nephew. He has a website set up for Doug because Doug never gets his props

Blue In NC

May 31st, 2012 at 11:33 AM ^

 

20 year career, never missed the playoffs.  As a defensemen, scored over 55 pts in 15 of his 20 years.  Never missed more than 12 games in a season and most years played 80-82 games.  Over 1,500 games and 1,100 points. 

Selected in the 3rd round (!) of the 1989 draft, probably the greatest draft year in the Wings history in which they selected the following players: Mike Sillinger (1000 games), Bob Bougner (not great but 630 NHL games), Lidstrom, Sergei Federov (over 1,200 games) in the first four rounds and also selected Dallas Drake (1000 games) in the 6th round and Vladimir Konstantinov (only 446 games before his tragic injury) in the 11th round.  Lids played in 80 games and scored 60 points as a rookie defenseman.  Won the Norris at age 40.  7 Norris trophies, 4 Stanley Cups, 1 Conn Smythe trophy.  As a defenseman, had significantly more assists (878) than penalty minutes (514).  The best defensemen I have ever seen play the game (and yes, I saw Bourque play but I think Lids was slightly better).  Hard to comprehend watching a Wings season without #5.

jackfl33

June 1st, 2012 at 1:03 AM ^

This all makes me exceedingly sad. I've never watched the Red Wings without Lidstrom in my life, he was drafted a few years before I was born. Stevie Y I only remember faintly, so Lidsrom really is THE Red Wing to me. Thanks for all of it Nick, all 20 years.

Everyone Murders

May 31st, 2012 at 11:35 AM ^

It's unsurprising that Lidstrom would exit gracefully, and leave at as "right" a time as you can imagine.  For twenty years represented the city and franchise with grace, toughness, and he ably filled the void at captain Yzerman left behind.  (I had my doubts as to whether anyone could fill those shoes, but those doubts evaporated within a few months of Lidstrom's captaincy.)  While it's hard to compare different generations in hockey, he is likely a top five all-time defenseman.

Agreed that #5 should be retired - he deserves that.  It's a bittersweet day for Detroit, but mostly I'm left in awe of his career.

dlcase1708

May 31st, 2012 at 11:43 AM ^

Lidstrom is an absolutely perfect role model.  Says all the right things, and is a complete class act.  I will miss him deeply, and when Holmstrom retires, gone will be all remnants of the Red Wings of my childhood.  Hopefully whoever takes over the captaincy next season can continue the streak of captains we have: classy people who play the game the right away.  

While it's impossible to replace one of the greatest players and leaders of all time, who will be the next captain? Z? Kronner? It's hard to think of a bonafide leader on the team right now, now that Lidstrom is gone.

Jmilan

May 31st, 2012 at 12:00 PM ^

I think you are looking at Hank to be the next captain. I would like to see Datsyuk, but I think that they have been trying to mold Zetterberg to take over when Nick called it quits so I think he is the answer. My guess is that Datsyuk and Kronwall are the assistants. One could even argue that Bert could get an A, but that is kind of a longshot I believe. I think Kronwall is going to step up, he has some gigantic shoes to fill, but I think he will be our next anchor on the point.

dlcase1708

May 31st, 2012 at 12:23 PM ^

I've gotta think that Z is the only answer, because you're right, he has been molded for the role.  I guess it's just hard for me to even consider anyone else, because after Yzerman, Lidstrom was obviously the go-to for the next Captain; it just doesn't seem that there's an obvious guy this time.  I think it's no question for the assistants though, definitely Dats and Kronner (assuming Z gets the C).  If Kronwall continues to elevate his play, I think he will start being mentioned as All Star caliber, and could take over the C when Z retires.

Jmilan

May 31st, 2012 at 12:32 PM ^

I agree with you about Kronwall. He is going to have to come into his own and really take over the leadership for the defense. Last year I thought he was our best defenseman even with Lidstrom just because Lidstrom was starting to deal more with injury so Kronwall I think knew he had to take over. The Wing's organization has always done a good job of picking guys to lead the team and once again, I agree that when the time comes for Zetterberg to step down we will already have a very good guess who the next captain will be. Whether it is Kronwall or another household name we have at that point. The whole organization is full of class and I think that may be a big draw for some key guys this offseason to want to play in Detroit. We have a lot of good things in place we just need to fill in some missing pieces to stay cup contenders.

dlcase1708

May 31st, 2012 at 1:30 PM ^

I think the way the Red Wings operate is a huge draw for free agents, and I'm hoping that brings both Suter and Parise over to Hockeytown.  Though it's impossible to replace Lidstrom on the ice, I think Suter is the most able of any available player.  

Also, agree on all your points.  I take pride in being a Red Wings fan.  High class organization in every way imaginable.

Jmilan

May 31st, 2012 at 11:56 AM ^

Lidstrom has given 20 fantastic years to us fans in Detroit. 7 time Norris winner, 4 time Stanley Cup champion, and the first European born captain to lift the Cup. Holmstrom and Lidstrom are the last 2 player from the Wing's I grew up with to retire(if Holmstrom is also done.). It's sad to see him go, would've liked to send him out a champion, but for sure his number needs to be retired right next to Yzerman's and just as fast as Yzerman's was. Hopefully my video embed doesn't fail, but here is a little tribute to Lidstrom I found.

I am also hoping that he will take a front office job. He would be a great addition.

 

Jmilan

May 31st, 2012 at 1:44 PM ^

I had never heard that before that is interesting. I guess I just assumed that he was planning on staying in Detroit because he has younger kids in school and things like that, but it definitely wouldn't shock me to see him as a scout over there.

reshp1

May 31st, 2012 at 2:06 PM ^

Don't quote me on that, but I got to watch a bit of his post conference interview and he spoke at length about how he and his wife's parents in Sweden were getting up there in age and wanting to return since they were both tight families. Also, I think Chelios mentioned that two of Lidstrom's sons were scheduled to play next year in Sweden.

Blueisgood

May 31st, 2012 at 9:29 PM ^

He's had a kid in Sweden for the last year or two playing hockey, and I believe he has another thats playing over there this year too. Plus as reshp1 said, he said something about how close their families are, and that their parents are getting up there in age. He also said he and Ken Holland talked a little bit about staying with the orginization in some capacity. My guess would be a scout in Sweden.  It didn't sound as if he was keeping his pad in the Detroit area, and he's building a house in Sweden that probably won't be done for a year or so.

French West Indian

June 1st, 2012 at 5:53 PM ^

...I'm surprised that he has lasted this long in Detroit.  I remember at least 10 years ago reading about how he was already thinking about quiting the NHL and returning to Sweden to raise his family.  Seems crazy...unless you've been to Sweden and then you can kind of understand.

Red_Lee

May 31st, 2012 at 12:00 PM ^

You guys basically said it all. Great career and a great man.

Now I just gotta deal with all these onions someone chopped up in my house.

Hands Free

May 31st, 2012 at 12:17 PM ^

He is a tremendous person and player.  Although his playing days have come to a close, I think we will see him either coaching or making decisions in the front office soon.

LSAClassOf2000

May 31st, 2012 at 12:30 PM ^

Many thanks, Nick, for all that you did as a player here in Detroit, and all that you have done and will hopefully continue to do off the ice. Awesome player and a great human being.

An entire era of Red Wings hockey is coming to an end, and it is an era which overlaps a good 2/3 of my life to date. This is truly a sad day on many levels.

It would be nice to see him continue with the organization in another capacity, and I also would like to see #5 in the rafters. Lidstrom definitely has had a career which warrants the retirement of the number.

clarkiefromcanada

May 31st, 2012 at 6:10 PM ^

Lidstrom is as certain a hall of famer as this post Lemiuex/Gretzky era has seen...but I don't see the need for debate.

Having seen both Orr and Lidstrom play I suggst that Lidstrom was a phenomenal talent and the glue for the Wings defense for the better part of a generation. Orr, on the other hand, revolutionized the game. I suppose the essential difference in terms of the debate is this: some debate if Lidstrom is the greatest defenseman of all time...Orr is debated as the greatest player of all time.

Understand, this does not diminish Lidstrom's greatness or his contribution to the game. You won't see a player of his quality in Detroit for a long, long time. 

Blueisgood

May 31st, 2012 at 9:33 PM ^

The thing that I don't ever see mention is the difference in how the game was played when Orr played. To when Lidstrom came into the league and post lockout.  We'll never know how Orr would have played during Lidstroms' time, and vice versa.

I Bleed Maize N Blue

June 1st, 2012 at 6:27 PM ^

Watched the press conference footage on the Red Wings' site - damn all the dust in this room.  There are various reactions posted now.

His 1564 regular season games with the Wings were second only to Gordie Howe's 1687.  He played the most playoff games of any Wing with 263.  Incredible iron man: he missed only 44 games over 20 years, 12 last season (11 from the ankle injury, 1 due to flu) - so averaging ~1.7 the other 19 (some were for being rested before the playoffs).  Missed only 1 game after getting speared in the testicles (!!!), IIRC.

264 goals (9th on the Wings), 878 assists (3rd), +450 (1st) in regular season; 54 G (3rd), 129 A (1st), + 61 (1st) in playoffs.

Check out the FoxSports Detroit video page if you didn't see the Wingspan on Lidstrom (posted in 3 parts) from earlier in the 2011-12 season.

Also came across this pic of Lidstrom and Konstantinov as rookies.  Dammit, there's that dust again.