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I'm one of the millions Obi Wan

Ilitch says, Lids "doesn't do things that hurt his reputation or that of the team". Here's looking at you Patrick Kane.

First off, let me say that Nick Lidstrom is one of my top 5 favorite Wings of all-time and in my opinion the best defensive defenseman of all-time. Now, his (expected) retirement is a major chapter in the history of this team. I for one cannot remember any second in the last 20 years as a Wings fan where I thought that Nick Lidstrom was a liability. On the contrary, I felt that a 50% Nick Lidstrom was an upgrade over pretty much any other defenseman that the Wings could have put on the ice to replace him. Now we as Wings fans finally get to see what we have consciously dreaded but somewhere deep in our collective subconsciousness have always wondered. "What will the Wings look like without #5?" I am (as the thread title bears) excitedly optimistic, and here are some reasons why: 1. We are already a good team - had this happened in a year where we didn't already have a strong core of players (say 2000) I would be pulling my hair out. But we have a Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Kronwall, and even White to fall back on as a solid core of defensive players to build around. Not to mention the great 2-way forwards we have developing (Flip and Helm) and the ones in the minors. 2. We have SO much money - We just gained $6 million more chips in the Parise/Suter/Semin games. I would much rather have had only $3mil more (with the 1 year extension of Lids) but we have to look at what we have. I don't know the exact numbers, but if we drop the players to FA that I think we are going to drop (Stuart and Hudler) then there is even more money. I think we are looking at a summer where we sign 2 big FAs and a couple role players. 3. We are deep - Half of the Griffins played last season, and I wasn't really put off by any of them. In fact, a couple I would have wanted to take a roster spot from some vets that were having off seasons or were playing for less than they were being paid (Cleary, Hudler, Franzen). Smith, Tatar, Nyquist, and Mursak all looked good in the short time I got to see them and I think at least 2 GRGs will have roster spots on the big club this season. and finally... 4. What else could you ask for? - I mean, come on, he has left a HUGE impact on the current roster and his presence will be felt for years. Other than retiring after winning a Cup (which probably wouldn't be likely since he would probably feel that he still had something in the tank) or winning another Norris, what else can he really do to excel? I don't blame him for calling it a career, maybe he will stay with the Wings as a European scout or a director of something, or, I daren't say it aloud, decide to take an upper management position that was said to be vacated when he retired... Anyways, good luck Nick and thanks for being the wall in front of the goalie.

"Retiring today allows me to walk away with pride, rather than have the game walk away from me" Watching sports all my life,but didn't hear anything better than this quote,way to say Mr.Nick

Another thing I'm gonna miss so much was when an opposing player got a 1-on-1 with Lids. The player would be skating in and then look up only to find Nick Lidstrom in his way and the response was always the same, dump the puck in and head off for a line change. That's ******* RESPECT!

Yeah because obviously you know more than Nick about who's a leader in the locker room. If he mentioned Filppula, there's a reason for that. Don't be petty.

The words may be his but you ripped them out of his context and put them into yours, completely manipulating what he said.

Privacy of sports stars? The guy couldn't have drawn more attention to himself short of holding a press conference where people watch him get hammered. It's not like someone took pictures from a party in Kane's backyard. He went to the University of Wisconsin (no idea why you go to Wisconsin to celebrate Cinco de Mayo) with custom made t-shirts for the event and made a total ass of himself. When someone pays you $6 mill a year and you're one of the faces of the franchise, like it or not you have to know that the things you do in your personal life will reflect on the organization. It's not like he needs to be going to church 5 days a week. Just don't make such a drunken spectacle of yourself. People in their 20s may not disapprove, but I bet a lot of hockey mom's would think twice about buying their kid a Kane jersey if he keeps this up.

I don't think the issue is with him drinking, all NHL players drink. The issue is him getting black out drunk in settings like that. If you are the front office of an organization, those are not the situations you want your players to be.

If I could "+" this post more than once, I would. This whole thing still seems so surreal. Lidstrom was supposed to play long enough to fuse his consciousness with cybernetics, thus creating a perfect hockey playing cyborg that would never retire, and win the Norris every year.

Ugh still can't believe this day has happened. Sir Nick you were an amazing player and an even better man. Best of luck to you in your future endeavors! Here's to hoping you come back down the road and have a role within the wings organization!!!!

1. Zetterberg 2. Datysuk 3. Kronwall 4. 20. Franzen Or maybe... 1. Zetterberg 2. Datysuk 3. Kronwall 20. Al Sobotka 4. 21. Franzen

Other than Gordie Howe, who was pushing 50, who else played hockey at such a high level in their early 40's?

I really wish Kenny or Mr. I would have immediately announced the retirement of his jersey. My only gripe about this presser.

Sign a 1 day deal just to play the Winter Classics in 2013

I bet if they named Hudler captain he would wear a cape to practice.

Zetterberg will become the next captain and he'll be great just like the last two guys that wore it for the Wings.

Franzen! He reeks of leadership and work ethic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgLG8jLT8D0

This will not happen, but possible with salary cap increase. Kenny may pull this one out. Get Ovi via trade (Franzen, Cleary). Sign Semin. Sign a top D man. Ovi and Semin will be awesome playing with Pasha.They have been unstoppable at the worlds even by good defensive teams like Finland. I think these guys will start a new era for the Red Wings. Parise will be asking 8-9 mil/year and a long term contract. to me he is not that guy. Iam assuming that Washington is going from offensive to a shot blocking, grinding, defensive hockey and Ovi does not feet in those categories. He needs to fly out there and score goals. Wings are his kinda team. Same goes for Semin. After all this is just a wish.

Schultz*, Dekeyser*, Welsh*, Sheahan, Jarnkrok, Mrazek, Jurco, Pulkkinen....looks like a nice future! *-my GR signing wish list!

Think this'll make it into the next "Peggy" commercial? Peggy, OK, I need bail money What's your name? Kane, Patrick Zee hockey player? (Screenplay says sound of cell door clanking in background) Yeah Tell me, how you fall off barstool from the left side?

Too bad NHL 36 didn't follow him around for this.