DEBUNKED: Lidstrom 'close' to 2 year extension

[YoungGuns1340 1]

First off, "a ton of mistakes this year?" Are you going to stand by that statement? or admit that it's a gross exaggeration?

Lidstrom averages 28 minutes of ice time in 80 games per season.

How many other players in this league even log that much ice time over the course of the season?

Of those players, how many do it at a Norris-caliber level of play that Nick does?

Think about it. For nearly half of every Red Wings game of the season, they have one of the best defenseman to ever play the game on the ice. He's worth every penny.

Regardless of age, Lidstrom still warrants league max type pay. And plenty of teams in this league would be willing to pay it.

His last contract wasn't even for league max, so he's already taken a bit of a discount and probably will on the next deal as well, in spite of racking up yet another Norris trophy.

Yeah. Lidstrom has made a ton of mistakes this year. And not only by his standards. Regardless of how many minutes he plays, hes shown this season more than any other season that hes lost a step. If he can pick that up its another story, but he has been making PLENTY of turnovers in his own end, has gotten beaten on the outside quite often, and was suspected of an injury less than 10 games into the season. Is he still a top Dman? Of course. But that didnt stop a top 2 center in Joe Thornton from not breaking the bank on his salary. And thats coming from a guy whos in the midst of his prime. Sidney Crosby didnt get league max, yet people are still throwing around numbers for Lidstrom that are right up there with the best player in the league who will play out his contract over likely 100pt season after 100pt season.