by Jon
The number 5 may not be a stat that has any reference to Nicklas Lidstrom’s exceptional 20-year career with the Red Wings, but it says a lot to many of us sporting his jersey or those watching him play from the stands, knowing he is an ongoing threat to the survival of any opposing club.
He uses his superior hockey intelligence and skill to dominate the game. An outstanding passer with an incredibly accurate shot from the point. He plays calm and is very efficient in the defensive zone. This is a player that has consistently shown he is a player to be remembered, and today Lidstrom officially announced that his retirement from the league he dominated for the better part of two decades on the Detroit blueline:
A sure Hall of Famer and arguably the best defenceman to ever play in the NHL, lets review some of Lidstrom’s accomplishments:
That being said there are a few things that put him above all other to be a ‘legend’ and can be extra ammo to shoot this guy into the record books at the Hockey Hall of Fame, that is:
It’s clear that Lidstrom’s destined for the Hall, but does he make the first ballot? Does he rank as the best defenceman ever to play in the NHL?