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Red Wings legend Nicklas Lidstrom perfect to the end - Yahoo! Sports
Perfect. That's the word we use to describe Nicklas Lidstrom, and that's the word we should use to describe his retirement. He went out the same way he played for two decades, with grace, at the highest level. He didn't try to do too much. He didn't make a mistake.
Red Wings superstar Nicklas Lidstrom retired after 20 flawless seasons in the NHL. (AP)The captain of the Detroit Red Wings looked more like he was 32 than 42 as he sat on the podium Thursday at Joe Louis Arena. His face was tanned and youthful. His hair had not receded, had not a hint of gray. He said he was aware some people think that his skills have "only diminished some" and that he could still help the team win.
Those people are right. There is no doubt he could still outperform the vast majority of defensemen in the NHL for the foreseeable future, especially because of his ultra-efficient style, brains over brawn. As general manager Ken Holland said midseason: "I think he can play two or three more years. Easy."
But Lidstrom has set his own standard, and that is a straight line of excellence drawn from 1991-92 to 2011-12, unparalleled. Seven Norris Trophies. Four Stanley Cups. A Conn Smythe. Incredible statistics. He never missed the playoffs, and he was never going to let himself slip. He would not risk staying too long. To him, saying he has "only diminished some" means he has diminished too much already.
Red Wings superstar Nicklas Lidstrom retired after 20 flawless seasons in the NHL. (AP)The captain of the Detroit Red Wings looked more like he was 32 than 42 as he sat on the podium Thursday at Joe Louis Arena. His face was tanned and youthful. His hair had not receded, had not a hint of gray. He said he was aware some people think that his skills have "only diminished some" and that he could still help the team win.
Those people are right. There is no doubt he could still outperform the vast majority of defensemen in the NHL for the foreseeable future, especially because of his ultra-efficient style, brains over brawn. As general manager Ken Holland said midseason: "I think he can play two or three more years. Easy."
But Lidstrom has set his own standard, and that is a straight line of excellence drawn from 1991-92 to 2011-12, unparalleled. Seven Norris Trophies. Four Stanley Cups. A Conn Smythe. Incredible statistics. He never missed the playoffs, and he was never going to let himself slip. He would not risk staying too long. To him, saying he has "only diminished some" means he has diminished too much already.
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