Will Nicklas Lidstrom Retire?

[Frozen-Man 144]

That was his last game as a Red Wing. He had an epic career but he knows his time in the NHL is over. He will likely go back to Sweden and play with the Olympic/World team there.

Where would possibly make you ascertain something like this?

My guess would be when Nick learned he was nominated for another Norris this year. Nothing says your "time in the NHL is over" like a Norris Trophy nomination.

[Majsheppard 203]

He's already stated that he would be willing to move down to the 3rd and 4th defensive pairing in the future. That to me indicates he will be back.

Considering there is no 4th defensive pairing, I gather your intel is wrong.

[toby91_ca 620]

He has declined, no question, but he still played at a very high level this season, into the playoffs. He's a Norris candidate, personally, I don't think he'll win, it's a tough sell being a "-" for the year, but we'll see.

So, I think he comes back for 1 more year, but it depends on the following:

- how does he fell physically now, after going through 2 rounds of the playoffs? Is he gassed? Would another 2 rounds have been tough on him?

- how does he think the team will fare next season?

If he thinks the team will have a good shot next year and he thinks he can physically put in the minutes to get through 4 rounds, then I think he'll come back, but if the answer is no to either question, he probably doesn't come back because there is no reason to come back for anything other than a cup run.

[Red Wing 4]

1 more year, hopefully. at his age he's still one of the best defenseman in the league which is outright amazing.

parise or richards would be a ridiculously perfect fit on this team.

[Theophany 110]

As much as we love him, I think he's over payed. Time to go Nick, and built this franchise with the other Nick.

This is extremely laughable. He's a Norris finalist and you think he's overpaid at $6.2m?

And even more laughable, you think Kronwall is a future #1 dman? He's 30 years old and has never showed more talent than a #2 at best.

Edit: I hope to god that Lids is back for another year. This team will have a hard time continuing on without him.

Edited May 13, 2011 by Theophany

[achildr1 255]

1 more year, hopefully. at his age he's still one of the best defenseman in the league which is outright amazing.

parise or richards would be a ridiculously perfect fit on this team.

Parise would be a dream, but one that would probably require us going back in time and undoing the Franzen deal.

[Crashnburnluder 385]

He will be back.... He struggled with it last year because of how well him and the team performed. This season he has another career year and should win the Norris, I say that if he is in the likes of weber and Chara, that I still want him here...

[Dimaline312000 51]

I don't think he will and I don't think he should. It seems to me that he still has at least one more season of quality hockey to play. I hope Liddy stays one more season!!

[Blood On The Ice 15]

Considering there is no 4th defensive pairing, I gather your intel is wrong.

Excuse my choice of words. How about the 3rd or 4th Dman.

Edited May 13, 2011 by Blood On The Ice

[Chris Avram 18]

This is extremely laughable. He's a Norris finalist and you think he's overpaid at $6.2m?

And even more laughable, you think Kronwall is a future #1 dman? He's 30 years old and has never showed more talent than a #2 at best.

Edit: I hope to god that Lids is back for another year. This team will have a hard time continuing on without him.

Yeah well he ran out of gas during the semi-finals.

[gcom007 1,465]

Someday. Not this summer. Not a chance.

[Red Wings Addict 787]

Hopefully not until #5 gets cup #5.

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

Honestly, I just can't imagine that he'll retire when he is still at the top of his game. Even if his game drops somewhat next season (it probably won't) he'll still be a top 10 d-man in the league. I truly believe Nick will return for at least one more year.

[brett 1,029]

What else does this man have to accomplish in the NHL? He has done EVERYTHING already.

the 3-0 series comeback would have topped it off

[Salviaman 104]

the 3-0 series comeback would have topped it off

True statement. I hope that he plays next year. I really want to see him go out on top one more time. I just got a feeling he may not return. Maybe he wants to spend time with his family...

[Rock 2]

Lids will play next year, win a cup, and than retire.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Maybe he'll take his talents to South Beach.

[Theophany 110]

Yeah well he ran out of gas during the semi-finals.

Yeah, totally. Second in team scoring, +8, definitely a drain on the team.

By contrast your boy Kronwall played two more minutes a game and only put up 6 points in the whole playoffs and was a +5.

Edited May 14, 2011 by Theophany

[sandyeggo wingnut 19]

Yeah, totally. Second in team scoring, +8, definitely a drain on the team.

By contrast your boy Kronwall played two more minutes a game and only put up 6 points in the whole playoffs and was a +5.

Out of curiosity, can you adjust that for the time Kronner was on the ice for PK and Lids was not? I'm not trying to argue I'm just wondering? I don't have access to a computer so can't do it myself

[Theophany 110]

Out of curiosity, can you adjust that for the time Kronner was on the ice for PK and Lids was not? I'm not trying to argue I'm just wondering? I don't have access to a computer so can't do it myself

Er, why would you do that? Do you automatically assume that if Kronwall wasn't playing on the PK and instead using those minutes at ES like Lidstrom did that he would have scored two more goals?

Just to satisfy your curiosity though, Lidstrom scored a point at ES or on the PP every ~29 mins he was on the ice. Kronwall scored a point at ES or on the PP every ~34 mins he was on the ice.

That's taking out PK time from both of their total series ice time.

[sandyeggo wingnut 19]

Er, why would you do that? Do you automatically assume that if Kronwall wasn't playing on the PK and instead using those minutes at ES like Lidstrom did that he would have scored two more goals?

Just to satisfy your curiosity though, Lidstrom scored a point at ES or on the PP every ~29 mins he was on the ice. Kronwall scored a point at ES or on the PP every ~34 mins he was on the ice.

That's taking out PK time from both of their total series ice time.

Yes this is something along the lines of what I was looking for. Of course I wasn't making assumptions; however it seems TOI and +/- numbers when one person plays PK and the other doesnt can skew the numbers. It didn't seem to me a valid prima facia comparison between the two bringing up the +/- when we know lids is not killing penalties and there's, call it a 10% chance (serious WAG there) of getting a - for every minute of PK time you have...

(not arguing not apologizing but I think he is staying)

[Krayzie_Bone 58]

It seems like when you think someone will come back they retire and the other way around. I think he should come back but that means he will probably retire. With or without Nick the defence needs help. Stuart is good but I dont trust him on the ice in playoffs he turns it over way to much. Erickson is a 7th d-man imo Kronwall and Rafalski are good but Rafalski isent getting any younger. Please no Kaberle

[Electrophile 3,554]

I really and truly don't know. I want to say no, that he'll come back for at least one more year, but then you get to thinking about just how many "one more year"s he has left in the tank.

Much like when we were having the same discussion about if Steve would retire.....I'd rather not think about it.

As much as we love him, I think he's over payed. Time to go Nick, and built this franchise with the other Nick.

Yes, he's clearly overstayed his welcome. What a bum.

I swear, some people.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Nothing beyond a hunch, but I think Nick is done.

[Krayzie_Bone 58]

I hope he comes back but I also hope he takes more of a pay cut.