Lidstrom selected as hockey's Athlete of the Decade

[Cruiser008 37]

Sporting News' NHL Player of the Decade: Nicklas Lidstrom, D, Red Wings

Well deserved!

[kidish 0]

I'd have given one nod to each position. Although I think they justify their pick good. Interesting s***.

[VM1138 1,921]

I really like it, I was just going to post something on this myself. Very good read.

My only problem is that Ovechkin and Crosby were included on 2nd All Decade Team.

I won't get into my Crosby issues, but I really don't think, in fairness, that either one of them has been around long enough to be considered in an evaluation of the entire decade.

[Carman 387]

Awesome, he definitely deserves it.

I also don't have an issue with Crosby and Ovechkin being on the all decade team. I mean they've pretty much dominated half the decade in their prime haven't they?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I'd put him as the #1 sports athlete of the decade, but I doubt many people would agree with me.

[BeeRYCE 2]

Awesome, he definitely deserves it.

I also don't have an issue with Crosby and Ovechkin being on the all decade team. I mean they've pretty much dominated half the decade in their prime haven't they?

Correction: Before their primes.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I'd put him as the #1 sports athlete of the decade, but I doubt many people would agree with me.

Among players from all four major American sporting leagues I think there's a fair competition going between Lidstrom, Tom Brady, Albert Pujols (I would have also considered Barry Bonds or A-Rod but cool steroids bro), and Kobe Bryant.

EDIT: I did not think about stuff like golf and tennis but Tiger and Federer are good ones too. I'll just say my choices are for team sports.

Edited September 24, 2009 by Heroes of Hockeytown

[dat's sick 1,002]

I'd put him as the #1 sports athlete of the decade, but I doubt many people would agree with me.

I think it's between Lidstrom, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer, but I'm not so sure a lot of people would agree with that either.

He could (maybe should) have won a Norris or two more, a couple of Lady Byngs, and maybe even a Hart and another Stanley Cup. Had he done that I don't think many people would argue that he's one of the top 3 athletes of the decade, but sadly he's been a little bit overlooked despite all his Norris trophies.

[EuroTwin 240]

The numbers say...

Lidstrom: 127 goals, 447 assists, plus-232, six Norris trophies, two Stanley Cups

Brodeur: 356-194-48-23 record, 2.22 goals against average, four Vezina trophies, two Stanley Cups

Um. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Lids has four Stanley Cups, does he not?

ETA: Oh, they mean just this decade. I wasn't thinking. Nevermind.

Edited September 24, 2009 by EuroTwin

[Jake Ryan 1]

I think it's between Lidstrom, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer, but I'm not so sure a lot of people would agree with that either.

He could (maybe should) have won a Norris or two more, a couple of Lady Byngs, and maybe even a Hart and another Stanley Cup. Had he done that I don't think many people would argue that he's one of the top 3 athletes of the decade, but sadly he's been a little bit overlooked despite all his Norris trophies.

I agree with your 3 100%. I just don't think it's a contest. I think it goes like this:

1. Tiger Woods - HANDS DOWN! This guy is the greatest golfer who has ever lived and will ever play the game. It's clear to see that this player has a gift not unlike Motzart to music or Einstein to science. He's a PHENOM unlike any other in sports.

2. Roger Federer - Undoubtedly the best Tennis player to ever play the game so far. But will he be in 30 years? I'm not so sure about that. But as for 2000-20009, for sure the dominant force in that sport.

3. Kobe Bryant - Best basketball player in the world for the decade. Took over for Jordan as the NBA's poster boy.

These three guys have all the endorsement deals for a reason. They are the best.

[Electrophile 3,554]

Can't disagree with that choice. Basically any honor he could be given at this point, he more than deserves.

[BeeRYCE 2]

Sports athlete of the decade would be a pretty tough stretch. Of the 4 major sports, Kobe Bryant is definitely ahead of him.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Sports athlete of the decade would be a pretty tough stretch. Of the 4 major sports, Kobe Bryant is definitely ahead of him.

You mean the same Kobe that never passes the ball and wasn't even the most dominant player on his team for the first half of the decade?

Doesn't hurt when the refs are giving him special treatment, either.

[Jake Ryan 1]

You mean the same Kobe that never passes the ball and wasn't even the most dominant player on his team for the first half of the decade?

Doesn't hurt when the refs are giving him special treatment, either.

Yes, Kobe Brygdanov.

http://www.theonion.com/content/from_print...danov_leads_red

[Esquire 324]

Uh, incase anyone didn't notice THIS artice...

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=499667

Detroit earns quartet of Sporting News honors

Thursday, 09.24.2009 / 2:44 PM / News

By Rocky Bonanno - NHL.com Staff Writer

The Detroit Red Wings, one of the NHL's most successful franchises in recent seasons, captured a handful of honors Thursday from The Sporting News. Defenseman and captain Nicklas Lidstrom was named the NHL Player of the Decade, Mike Babcock the NHL Coach of the Decade, vice president and general manager Ken Holland the NHL Executive of the Decade, and the Red Wings were declared the NHL's Team of the Decade.

The honors were part of a 14-page tribute in the newest edition of the magazine, on newsstands this week.

"Nicklas Lidstrom won the Stanley Cup in 2002. He won the Cup in 2008. I don't know how many Norris trophies he's won, but throughout that entire time, throughout the entire decade, where he's only missed a handful of games, he was the Red Wings' best player," said Steve Yzerman, Lidstrom's former teammate and now a vice president for Detroit. "He's one of the top defensemen on both ends of the rink. He's got really good instincts, and he's incredibly skilled. He's a really, really intelligent hockey player. Nick is your best player in training camp. He's your best player in preseason. He's your best player in the regular season. He's your best player in the playoffs. I'm not sure what else he could do."

When asked to pick his favorite moment of the last decade, Lidstrom obviously started with his third and fourth career titles. "The first thing you think of is the Stanley Cup wins, whether it's the one in '02 or the one (in '08). Those two were special," he said. "In 2002, I won the Norris and Conn Smythe (Trophy) as well. Winning those two trophies, along with the Stanley Cup, makes that year stand out. We had a heck of a team that season. We signed Luc Robitaille, Brett Hull, Dominik Hasek -- you can go down the line with the great players on that team. We had a real strong team and then lost the first two games of the playoffs against Vancouver in the first round. It was a tough playoff run, but the team responded well. We had some pressure on us, and it was gratifying to win with that team."

Lidstrom has won six Norris trophies, and also won the Stanley Cup in 1997 and '98.

The runner-up to Lidstrom was Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, the NHL's all-time leader in victories and a three-time Stanley Cup winner.

"The goaltender is the most important position for any Stanley Cup contender," said Larry Robinson, who coached Brodeur and currently is a special assignment scout for the team. "You look at anybody who has won a Cup and you always point to the goalie. When we won in 2000, we wouldn't have even gotten there if Marty didn't stand on his head. He's a terrific athlete, and he has that inner strength. The worst thing you can do is beat him because you know darn well the next game you're not going to come close against him. He's the backbone of our club in Jersey. He makes the big stops, and he's the No. 1 reason we've been successful. I compare him to all the great ones."

The full list of award winners:

Athlete of the Decade: Nicklas Lidstrom, defenseman, Detroit Red Wings

Coach of the Decade: Mike Babcock, Detroit Red Wings and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

Team of the Decade: Detroit Red Wings

Executive of the Decade: Ken Holland, Red Wings GM and executive VP

Game of the Decade: Game 4, 2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Philadelphia 2 at Pittsburgh 1 in 5 OTs [/b]

What a group! And I LOVE the fact that the game of the decade was won by the Flyers over the Pens. So fitting.

GO WINGS GO!!!

[waitahochiminute 2]

Ronaldinho or Messi has to be somewhere in the list of best athletes? Or are we just doing a North America thing?

EIther way Lidstrom is the best ever!!!

[hak 21]

Ronaldinho or Messi has to be somewhere in the list of best athletes? Or are we just doing a North America thing?

EIther way Lidstrom is the best ever!!!

hmm yeah but you cant really compare them to athletes such as lidstrom federer and woods IMO.

Ronaldinho too inconsistent and too short period of dominance. He won best player of the year 2004 and 2005.

Too early with messi. He is born 1987 and havent even entered his prime yet. He is absolutely the best player in the world right now - he is dominating by age 22. And they say players hit their prime at age ~26.. Crazy. He is amazing and will probably be one of the best players ever in football.

I think Lidstrom was a good pick for the winner.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Ronaldinho or Messi has to be somewhere in the list of best athletes? Or are we just doing a North America thing?

EIther way Lidstrom is the best ever!!!

I would rather say that Kaká is the footballer (soccer) of the decade.

[dat's sick 1,002]

I would rather say that Kaká is the footballer (soccer) of the decade.

I would say someone like Buffon. He's been probably the best goalie in the world for most of the last 10 years. Kaka has been among the best in the world for maybe 5 years, Messi has been the best for 2-3years.

Ronaldinho was the best for about 3 years.

[Opie 308]

Beckham, sorry could help but post the ignorant American Soccer fan post.

I would say:

Tiger hands down, Federer in a landslide for second, no one has dominated their sport like these two this decade.

Kobe wasn't ever an MVP of the playoffs until this year, he had arguably the most dominant force in basketball on his team since MJ.

I would not put a Basketball player in the top 4 actually, as Lebron is probably the most dominant individual on the court, but that rarely leads to victory(champs, not single games), even Kobe needed Bynum and Gasol.

Tom Brady, would be up there, except his truly most dominant performance came when he had one of the top 2/3 WR in the game, and then they lost the big game. Even though for the better part of the decade his team was unstoppable in the post season, the last few have not been great.

The other thing that puts Lids above the last couple mentioned is that he is very rarely injured, of the people on this list the only other one who can say that is Federer.

As far as futbol, it is so hard, with so many teams now, between club teams and national teams, their is a new superstar after every tournament and season.

Ronaldinho, Kaka, Messi, Ronaldo, even Henry was the most dominant for a stretch, it is so tough for a soccer player to be dominant for a long period of time, again with the massive amount of teams in the world and now the fact that it is a world sport (In the fact that the leagues in all countries are now made up of players from all countries!)

Even in the early 2000 there was World Cup soccer and EUFA league, sure Bundesliga and others were around, but not as big as they are today.

Spanish leagues were not nearly the dominant force they are now, hell Barcelona would never have got the players they have this year in 2000, 01, 02 maybe even up until 04.

Sure they got some names, but not the kind of names Barcelona is throwing money at! Remember when the only team throwing money around like that was either Liverpool or Manch U! (Maybe Chelsea, but sure as hell not Blackburn!)

[Finnish Wing 110]

I would say someone like Buffon. He's been probably the best goalie in the world for most of the last 10 years. Kaka has been among the best in the world for maybe 5 years, Messi has been the best for 2-3years.

Ronaldinho was the best for about 3 years.

I wouldn't say he's been the best all that time. Iker has dominated and IMO has been the best for a few years now. And goalie doesn't play that big role in soccer compared to hockey for example. Then again Kaká has always been the most dominant player on the pitch, and will be in Real too, even with CRonaldo in the same team.

[FinWing 26]

Well deserved for Nick indeed!

[elriqo28 2]

I love that they listed player of the year from 00-09 and Lids wasn't there once. I think it shows that even though he isn't a player that sticks out because of his scoring(probably why each player of the year was selected) everyone knows he is one of the most dominant players ever and very deserving of the acknowledgement.

[dat's sick 1,002]

I wouldn't say he's been the best all that time. Iker has dominated and IMO has been the best for a few years now. And goalie doesn't play that big role in soccer compared to hockey for example. Then again Kaká has always been the most dominant player on the pitch, and will be in Real too, even with CRonaldo in the same team.

Kaka played in Sao Paulo until 2003. His first couple of seasons in Milan were good but he wasn't really one of the top 3 players in the world at that point.

Messi is better than Kaka, CRonaldo is comparable (but I agree not as good). Kaka is one of the best players of the last 5 years, but not really the decade.

Casillas is incredible too, but I'd argue that Buffon has been a little more dominant, and he has a slightly more impressive resume (such as 7 goalkeeper of the year in Serie A since 1999, would have been 8 if not for Juve's demotion to Serie B). And I'd argue that the goalkeeper has an almost bigger role in soccer. One mistake is so much more costly in soccer since so many games end 1-0 or 2-1. Goalies in soccer usually don't get enough respect.

[Opie 308]

As a former Keeper who has been scolded for a loss, and not even remembered during wins, I thank you for that statement, I have no idea how many games I won (like a nhl goalie win is a stat) 1-0 only to have the goal scorer get all the accolades even though I was the best Keeper in my conference (small, small D 3 school), we played Offsides trap, which meant a lot of breakaways against me. But that was my job to stop the ball, not to be Mr Popular. I started understanding that long before college though!