LeftWinger 5,152 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 He'll quite likely play until 2010 unless something drastically changes. After that he'll likely stay in Detroit as his kids have been born and grown up there and they don't really consider Sweden home. I think he should be able to pull that off. He's definitely durable enough. When it comes to how he'll be ranked - he's the best "modern" defenseman no doubt. But comparisons to previous eras are going to be tough and I don't think I want to get in on that considering how some other topics have turned out... ...if he is going to stay in Detroit, he may as well play and make money. Sure, after years and years of $7MM plus per season, he shouldn't have money woes, even if he hung them up today. Even once he gets 40 he probably won't be commanding the top salary and if he wants to still play, I am sure he won't play anywhere else but here, so if you are gonna stay in the States, then why not play a game and make some cash. I don't foresee him EVER again making less than $4MM per season, so even at 45 years old, if he can maintain at least a Chelios type playing ability (which he probably will at 55! LOL!) he should stick around and be Captain for awhile... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 Yeah, because people have been saying hes going to retire in the middle of a contract. I think hell sign a one year contract after this one and be done with the NHL. So you are telling me that you have never heard of anyone on this board up until today, say lids is retiring this year, or lids is retiring after this season. I do believe other athletes have walked away in the middle of contracts so it is not unheard of! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 ...if he is going to stay in Detroit, he may as well play and make money. Sure, after years and years of $7MM plus per season, he shouldn't have money woes, even if he hung them up today. Even once he gets 40 he probably won't be commanding the top salary and if he wants to still play, I am sure he won't play anywhere else but here, so if you are gonna stay in the States, then why not play a game and make some cash. I don't foresee him EVER again making less than $4MM per season, so even at 45 years old, if he can maintain at least a Chelios type playing ability (which he probably will at 55! LOL!) he should stick around and be Captain for awhile... I guess it's all up to whether he can perform and feels that he can bring something to Detroit's game. He might consider playing a season or so in Sweden but I doubt that'll happen for some reason. It's been a long time since he played there. Most - if not all - of his professional career has been in Detroit and he doesn't have the same emotional attachment like some other Swe players have (Alfredson, Forsberg). In that regard he's kinda like Sundin. Major difference is that Detroit has actually iced good teams while Sundin has been left alone for most of his career. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 So you are telling me that you have never heard of anyone on this board up until today, say lids is retiring this year, or lids is retiring after this season. I do believe other athletes have walked away in the middle of contracts so it is not unheard of! No. I never heard anyone saying Lidstrom was going to retire this year. Before he signed his contract? yeah. For next year? yeah, but it hasnt been 5 years. And can you blame anybody? The guy has won every award he practically can and hes talked about going back to Sweden for nearly a decade. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 5,152 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 I guess it's all up to whether he can perform and feels that he can bring something to Detroit's game. He might consider playing a season or so in Sweden but I doubt that'll happen for some reason. It's been a long time since he played there. Most - if not all - of his professional career has been in Detroit and he doesn't have the same emotional attachment like some other Swe players have (Alfredson, Forsberg). In that regard he's kinda like Sundin. Major difference is that Detroit has actually iced good teams while Sundin has been left alone for most of his career. ...I could see him going into some kind of coaching position in Sweden or maybe running a league ala Fetisov, but if he is gonna stay in Detroit, he'll probably play until he's 45 and then get into the Wings organization in some capacity... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 ...I could see him going into some kind of coaching position in Sweden or maybe running a league ala Fetisov, but if he is gonna stay in Detroit, he'll probably play until he's 45 and then get into the Wings organization in some capacity... Exactly what I was thinking. But I'm leaning towards him staying in Detroit in some capacity. Maybe some scouting stuff in Sweden to begin with. Don't know if he's coaching material - I guess that'll depend on his inclination. He's definitely got the game knowledge and intelligence for it and getting players respect won't be a problem . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 ...I could see him going into some kind of coaching position in Sweden or maybe running a league ala Fetisov, but if he is gonna stay in Detroit, he'll probably play until he's 45 and then get into the Wings organization in some capacity... I'm sure that will make Babcock sweat a little as far as his job security goes. Stevie as GM and Lidstrom as coach, not a bad idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 I'm sure that will make Babcock sweat a little as far as his job security goes. Stevie as GM and Lidstrom as coach, not a bad idea. That thought is extremely appealing... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 Ok here's the deal, Only Nick knows what Nick wants to do, but I have a pretty good idea. My coworkers son plays with Nicks son on a team in Novi, so my source is pretty good. Firsy he didn't spend the lockout trying to live in sweeden, actually he helped coach his sons team, second he does miss his country and will probably eventually go back, but the general consesus is that he will reup for 2 years. Things could change but that's what his son supposedly said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
