Lidstrom to retire: PC called for tomorrow

[maplesyrup]

Not confirmed but;

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger

Sure sounds like Lidstrom is retiring. Holland won't confirm. Says Lidstrom has earned the right to make his announcement tomorrow.

Yeah, I think think this deserves it's own thread... I mean are talking perhaps the greatest d-man of all time here.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Could have waited till after the finals...

 

[maplesyrup]

Nah, I agree with Friedman...

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC

NHL moved a franchise during the Cup Final (last season). There's no problem with one of its greatest making an announcement, too.

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

:`-(

 

[ZBBM]

Better than Orr?

 

[moon111]

Without Lidstrom to compare themselves to, I wonder if this will make a few other Wings feel suddenly old?

Those sure are big skates to fill.  They better make a trade for Phaneuf.

 

[cw]

Better than Orr?

For me, every dman in NHL history is a somewhat distant second to Bobby Orr. He's the best I ever saw. I'd also pick Ray Bourque ahead of Lidstrom without any hesitation. There are a few others I'd probably consider before Lidstrom though I'd have to give it some thought to be sure.

Lidstrom was a wonderful and remarkable player. I don't mean to take anything away from him. But those who came before him were pretty good too.

 

[maplesyrup]

I go with Orr too but statistically, you can't argue the case against Lindstrom.

 

[bustaheims]

Better than Orr?

It's really hard to judge because of how drastically different the eras they played in were. Orr changed the position, so, in my mind, he's clearly the most influential defenceman in NHL history, but, would he have been better than Lidstrom had they played in the era? I'm not so sure. Lidstrom's numbers are just so impressive considering he played most of his career through the dead puck era. Only 2 non-lockout shortened seasons with less than 40 points (one of which was this one), only 4 with less than 50 (one of which was a 49 point effort). 7 goals or more in every season, 10+ in all but 3. He's the 6th highest scoring defenceman of all time, but everyone ahead of him played at least 8 seasons in the 80s. His playoff numbers are also fantastic. 7 Norris trophies, 10 1st team All Star selections and 2 more 2nd team selections . . . I'd be hard pressed to say definitively that anyone was better.

 

[Madferret]

Time for EK65 to take over for NL5

 

[maplesyrup]

I often think "Thunder Kiss" when I see #65. I don't know, I think I've seen worse as far as handles go should Sens fans draw the connection.

 

[Kin]

Better than Orr?

Depends on how you want to frame the discussion. Orr was probably better at his peak but his peak was so short that Lidstrom probably added more value to his team. He broke into the league at 21 and had a 60 point season as a rookie. Last year he won the Norris at 40. To be that good for that long should have him in the discussion of best player ever, regardless of position.

 

[Stebro]

It's weird, there was a poll in a swedish newspaper after the announcement, and Forsberg is leading the poll of the best player ever from Sweden. Lidstrom is 2nd. If one looks at what they both have accomplished I would say that Lidstrom has been more dominant in relation to his position. It's gonna be really weird not having him on the Red Wings next season.

 

[AvroArrow]

About time....I'm getting a little bored of him, personally...

 

[Corn Flake]

Suter to Wings is almost a lock now, IMO.

 

[Bender]

It's weird, there was a poll in a swedish newspaper after the announcement, and Forsberg is leading the poll of the best player ever from Sweden. Lidstrom is 2nd. If one looks at what they both have accomplished I would say that Lidstrom has been more dominant in relation to his position. It's gonna be really weird not having him on the Red Wings next season.

Just out of curiousity, where is Sundin?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Suter to Wings is almost a lock now, IMO.

They have sooo much cap space.

 

[seahawk]

Red Wings fans can now make reservations in Toronto for the HHOF inductions in 3 years. If he doesn't go in on the 1st ballot then something is messed up. Greatest d-man of this era of the game.

 

[Tigger]

It's weird, there was a poll in a swedish newspaper after the announcement, and Forsberg is leading the poll of the best player ever from Sweden. Lidstrom is 2nd. If one looks at what they both have accomplished I would say that Lidstrom has been more dominant in relation to his position. It's gonna be really weird not having him on the Red Wings next season.

Just out of curiousity, where is Sundin?

He should be, uh, right there...

 

[maplesyrup]

It's weird, there was a poll in a swedish newspaper after the announcement, and Forsberg is leading the poll of the best player ever from Sweden. Lidstrom is 2nd. If one looks at what they both have accomplished I would say that Lidstrom has been more dominant in relation to his position. It's gonna be really weird not having him on the Red Wings next season.

Just out of curiousity, where is Sundin?

He should be, uh, right there...

1. Lidstrom. 2. Salming (paved the way for them all) 3. Sundin/Forsberg  - I can't decide... Forsberg was a playoff beast (171 P in  151 G) and Sundin never got much a chance to be. 5. Naslund

Edit: Holy Hell! I forgot my all-time favorite Leaf - Salming! How did I do that?!