LowTide

I was hoping I could get some help listing Lidstrom's defensive partners over the years. I also hope to take a look at the 'Lidstrom Effect' and how those partners perform in years they were paired with Lidstrom. I know some years he had multiple partners so I would apreciate help filling them in Going from my memory: 1992 -- McCrimmon 1993 -- McCrimmon; Was he also playing with Chiasson for a stretch? Or Howe? 1994 -- Coffey 1995 -- Coffey 1996 -- Coffey 1997 -- Murphy for a bit and in the playoffs -- who was it for most of the season though? 1998 -- Murphy 1999 -- Murphy 2000 -- Murphy 2001 -- Murphy and I think Dandeneault? 2002 -- Didn't he play with a few this year? 2003 -- Was he playing with Bykov at this time? 2004 -- Schneider 2005 -- Schneider 2006 -- Schneider 2007 -- Markov; Some Lilja? 2008 -- Rafalski 2009 -- Rafalski 2010 -- Rafalski Thanks for any help filling the holes in my memory!

Salming obviously had a huge influence on Lidstrom as he was growing up watching him - but he does give McCrimmon a lot of credit in pretty much every interview when asked who his influences were. I have a feeling it played a big part in McCrimmon being hired, and for keeping his job. McCrimmon really was a premier defensive defenseman and tends to get underrated. By the time Murphy came along, I think Lidstrom was already better than him.

Agree about the similar playing styles, but Lidstrom usually credits McCrimmon as being his largest influence in the NHL.

nice

Now, as in the assistant coach? Or back then? i didn't think McCrimmon was bad at all w/ the wings -- though he was great with Phily. Howe and McCrimmon was probably the best defensive pair in the NHL at the time (with the Flyers).... does anyone remember if Howe and McCrimmon played much together in Detroit?

Thanks! He definitely played in the 07 playoffs with Markov, and most of the regular season, I believe. Schneider was playing with Kronwall that year, if memory serves me...