Nicklas Lidström

Nicklas Lidström
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2015

Lidström at the Svenska idrottsgalan on January 13, 2014
Born (1970-04-28) 28 April 1970
Krylbo, Sweden
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Västerås IK (SEL/HA)
Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
National team  Sweden
NHL Draft 53rd overall, 1989
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 1987–2012

Erik Nicklas Lidström (born 28 April 1970) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Detroit Red Wings, which he captained for the final six seasons of his career.[1][2][3]

Over his 20 NHL seasons, Lidström won four Stanley Cups, seven James Norris Memorial Trophies (awarded to the NHL's top defenceman), one Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, was voted into 12 NHL All-Star Games, and his team never missed the postseason. Lidström became the first European-born and -trained NHL captain to win the Stanley Cup,[4] as well as the first European player named playoff MVP. Lidström is also the all-time leader in games played with only one NHL team and by a European-born player. Lidström was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on 9 November 2015.[5]

Playing career

Widely considered one of the greatest defencemen of all time,[6] Lidström was awarded the Norris Trophy seven times, a feat matched by only two other players: Doug Harvey and by Bobby Orr (who won the trophy eight times). Lidström was nominated for the award a total of 12 times in his last 14 seasons in the NHL, the first three times finishing as the runner-up, and won it in seven of his last ten (2004–05 had no winner due to the NHL lockout). In 14 consecutive seasons (since 1995–96), he finished no lower than sixth place in Norris Trophy voting.[7]

Lidström played his entire 20-year NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings, finishing his career with the second-most Stanley Cup playoff games played in NHL history, with 263 appearances (Chris Chelios ranks first with 266).[8] He was a member of four Stanley Cup-winning teams in 1996–97, 1997–98, 2001–02 and 2007–08. With the exception of the cancelled 2004–05 season lockout year, Lidström played in the playoffs for an NHL record 20 consecutive seasons (an honor he shares with Larry Robinson).[9]

Known for his durability, Lidström consistently ranked amongst the top in the NHL in ice time per game. He averaged 28:07 minutes in the 2005–06 season, a career high. He won three consecutive Norris Trophies, from 2001 to 2003, becoming the first defenceman since Bobby Orr to win three straight.[10] In the 2003–04 season, he played in his 1,000th game of his career, having missed only 17 games in 12-and-a-half seasons (1994–95 was shortened to 48 games instead of the usual 82 by a labour dispute).[11]

In the 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs, Lidström was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player during the playoffs, becoming the first European to ever be awarded the trophy.[12]

Early career

Lidström began his career in Avesta, Sweden, playing with Skogsbo SK, before moving on to play with VIK Västerås HK of the Swedish Elitserien. In three seasons with the team, he played in 103 games, scoring 12 goals and 30 assists. Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings 53rd overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, Lidström joined the team in the 1991–92 season, though he returned to play for Västerås IK for a brief period during the 1994–95 NHL lockout. Lidström scored 60 points in his rookie season, finishing second to Pavel Bure in voting for that year's Calder Trophy. He was selected to the 1992 NHL All-Rookie Team, along with fellow Red Wings defenceman Vladimir Konstantinov.

NHL career (1991–2012)

Lidström in 2006, during his first season as captain of the Red Wings.

Swedish national team

Representing Sweden, Lidström won the World Championship in 1991. At the 2006 Winter Olympics, Lidström was a major factor in Sweden's win over Finland in the finals, scoring the gold medal-clinching goal, thus earning him a spot on the Olympic All-Star Team. He also became the 17th member of the Triple Gold Club. The Hockey News selected Lidström as the "Best European-trained player ever in the NHL."[13] The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated selected Lidström as the "NHL Player of the Decade."[14][15]

Post-lockout career

Lidström was set to make $10 million during the 2005–06 season, but due to the new terms of the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement that was implemented during the 2004–05 season, salaries on pre-existing contracts were reduced by 24%, which lowered his compensation to $7.6 million. That season, he posted a career-high 64 assists and 16 goals to have 80 points.

On 30 June 2006, it was announced that Lidström had signed a two-year, $15.2 million contract extension with the Red Wings; instead of seeking more money elsewhere—certainly possible for a defenceman of his caliber, especially considering his stellar numbers in the past season—Lidström decided to remain with Detroit for the same annual salary as he earned during the 2005–06 season.[16]

Lidström was an alternate captain of the Red Wings since the 1997–98 season, but was awarded the captaincy after the 2006 retirement of long-time Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman. It was an honour made more special by the fact that he became the first European captain in franchise history. In his first year of captaincy, Lidström led the Red Wings to the Western Conference Finals, but lost to eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Anaheim Ducks. In the off-season, Lidström joined an elite group by capturing the Norris Trophy as the League's outstanding defenceman for the fifth time. Lidström became the fourth defenceman in NHL history with as many as five Norris Trophy wins, joining Hockey Hall of Famers Bobby Orr (eight), Doug Harvey (seven) and Ray Bourque (five).

Near the beginning of the 2007–08 season, in an 8 October win against the Edmonton Oilers, Lidström registered two assists, passing Peter Forsberg as the second-highest scoring Swedish-born NHL player of all-time. He trails only Mats Sundin (as of the end of the 2011–12 season, Lidström has 1,142 points to Sundin's 1,349).[17] Later in the season, on 26 December, Lidström signed a contract extension through the 2009–10 season.[18] Several months later, on 3 April 2008, he assisted on a goal by Johan Franzén to tie Luc Robitaille at 42nd in the all-time NHL assists, with 726.[11]

Lidström won the Stanley Cup four times in his career.

Entering the playoffs as Presidents' Trophy winners for the highest team point total during the regular season, the Red Wings met the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. Despite a Game 5, triple-overtime victory by the Penguins to stave off elimination, Lidström and the Red Wings defeated Pittsburgh in Game 6 to capture the Stanley Cup. In doing so, Lidström became the first European-born-and-trained captain to win the Stanley Cup.[19] In 1934, Charlie Gardiner, a goaltender born in Scotland, had captained the Chicago Black Hawks to win the Stanley Cup and in 1938; Johnny Gottselig, a left winger born in Russia, also captained Chicago to a championship, but both players were trained in Canada.

Just over a week after winning his fourth Stanley Cup in 11 seasons, on 12 June, Lidström won the Norris Trophy for the third-straight season and the sixth time in seven seasons.[20]

As the Red Wings opened the 2008–09 pre-season against the Montreal Canadiens, Lidström suffered a broken nose as a shot from Canadiens forward Christopher Higgins ricocheted and hit him in the face.[21] From then on, he began wearing a visor. He returned in time for the regular season and was selected to the 2009 NHL All-Star Game in Montreal. However, in the midst of dealing with tendinitis that had been bothering him all season, Lidström chose to sit out All-Star weekend, along with teammate Pavel Datsyuk. Consequently, Lidström and Datsyuk were both suspended one game by the NHL due to League policy for missing the All-Star Game without significant injury.[22]

Lidström at Mellon Arena in 2010.

The Red Wings opened the 2009–10 season in Stockholm, Sweden. During the team's trip in Sweden, Lidström was honored by his home county, Dalarna, as an Ambassador of Honor.[23] On 15 October 2009, in a game against the Los Angeles Kings, Lidström became the first European-born defenceman to reach 1,000 points after recording two assists in the game. He is the fourth player to score 1,000 points as a Red Wing (after Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio and Steve Yzerman), and the eighth defenceman to do so in the history of the NHL. On 5 March 2010, Lidström earned his 800th career assist. Also during the 2009–10 season, Lidström played in his 1,395th game (finishing the season with 1,412), setting an all-time record for NHL games played by a player born in Europe; earlier in the season, Lidström had passed Teppo Numminen for games played by a player trained in Europe. Lidström is also fourth all-time in games played in a Red Wing uniform, behind Howe, Delvecchio and Yzerman, all forwards.

On 23 April 2010, Lidström played in his 237th career playoff game, moving past Mark Messier into sole possession of third place on the NHL's all-time list (Chris Chelios, 266; Patrick Roy, 247).[24] In the same game, he had an assist to tie Al MacInnis (121) for the third-most assists in the post-season by a defenceman (Ray Bourque 139; Paul Coffey 137).[25]

On 27 April 2010, a day before his 40th birthday, Lidström had three points in a Game 7 win over the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round of the 2010 playoffs, pushing his active playoff points lead to 171 points, and tying him for 17th on the all-time playoff points list with fellow countryman Peter Forsberg.

As of the end of the 2009–10 season, Lidström has missed only 28 of a possible 1,440 regular-season team games (one due to suspension).

After contemplating retirement, Lidström agreed on a one-year contract with the Red Wings on 1 June 2010; the contract paid him slightly over $6 million.[26]

On 15 December 2010, Lidström recorded his first career hat-trick, at 40 years of age, against the St. Louis Blues, sealing a 5–2 Detroit victory. After the game, he was asked how it feels to score his first hat-trick, responding, "It feels great, I've never in my life been able to notch three goals in a game." The hat-trick made him the oldest player in NHL history to record his first hat-trick (previously held by Scott Mellanby at 36 years of age), and the oldest defenceman in NHL history to record a hat-trick (previously held by Mathieu Schneider at 37 years of age).[27]

On 18 January 2011, Lidström was named a team captain in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game in Raleigh, North Carolina. His team won by a final score of 11–10 over Team Staal, captained by Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes. Lidström finished +7 with one assist.

On 20 June 2011, after briefly contemplating retirement yet again, Lidström signed a one-year contract worth $6.2 million with Detroit, the same amount he had been paid the previous season. On 23 June 2011, he won his seventh Norris Trophy, tying with Doug Harvey and remaining one behind Bobby Orr for most Norris Trophies.

On 22 October 2011, in a game against the Washington Capitals, Lidström became the 14th player in the history of the NHL to play 1,500 games. He is the first player not being born in North America, and therefore the first Swedish and European player, as well as the first player to accomplish this in his 20th NHL season. Lidström played in his 1,550th game on 12 February 2012, against the Philadelphia Flyers, surpassing Alex Delvecchio's previous Red Wing record of 1,549 games. This also makes him the NHL player who has played the most games while always playing for the same NHL team (Gordie Howe played more games, 1,687, with the Red Wings, but also played for the Hartford Whalers for one season). In this regard, Lidström joins former Red Wings Alex Delvecchio and Steve Yzerman as the only three players with over 1,500 games having played exclusively for just one team throughout their careers.

Retirement

On 31 May 2012, Lidström announced his retirement from the NHL via a press conference with Red Wings Owner Mike Ilitch and General Manager Ken Holland present. The night before, he told the Swedish tabloid Expressen, "I came to the decision last week and I informed our general manager, Ken Holland."[28] Discussing Lidström's retirement, former teammate Steve Yzerman described Lidström as "one of the all-time best defencemen to ever play."[29] Paul Coffey said, "he was an incredible player"[30] while Chris Chelios said, "There's been guys who are great players, but no one's better than Nick. As good? Yes. But this is as big as it gets. He's one of the best athletes ever and...if you're going to talk about someone who's perfect, Nick's pretty darn close to being perfect."[28] Washington Capitals defenceman John Carlson described Lidström as "one of the game's all time greats on and off the ice."[28] Ken Holland stated his belief that Lidström was "the most valuable player of his era."[29]

The following weekend, on 3 June 2012, Lidström and his wife took out a full-page ad giving thanks to the city of Detroit for making his family feel at home for the past 21 years.[31] On 8 July 2012, Lidström was named a scout for the Red Wings.

On 28 February 2014, Lidström was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.[32]

During the 2013–14 season, Lidström had his number 5 jersey retired by the Red Wings. Initially, ceremonies were planned for the previous season, on 5 February 2013 — however, the lockout had made it hard to determine when Lidström would able to attend the ceremony.[33] The Red Wings officially retired his number on 6 March 2014, in a pre-game ceremony at Joe Louis Arena.[34]

International play

Nicklas Lidström
Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
Winter Olympics
2006 Turin
World Championships
1991 Finland
2004 Czech Republic
1994 Italy

Prior to his NHL career, Lidström competed in one European Junior Championships in 1988, one World Junior Championship in 1990 and one Canada Cup in 1991 for Sweden.

Prior to his rookie season with the Red Wings, he earned his first gold medal with Sweden at the 1991 World Championships. Three years later, he competed in the 1994 World Championships in Italy and won a bronze medal. Two years later, he participated in the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey (successor of the Canada Cup) and contributed three points in four games. He made his Olympic debut with Sweden at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.

Four years later was his next international appearance, playing in his second Olympics at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where Sweden was upset by Belarus in the quarter-final after being heavy favourites in the round-robin. Lidström made his third World Championships appearance in 2004, but only appeared in two games. That summer, he also competed in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, where he scored one goal.

In the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Lidström helped Sweden avenge their quarter-final upset to Belarus in Salt Lake City, scoring the game winning goal in the gold medal game against Finland. In doing so, Lidström became a member of the Triple Gold Club, adding an Olympic gold medal to go with his previous Stanley Cups with Detroit and his World Championship gold medal in 1991.[35] Lidström was also selected to the 2010 Olympic All-Star Team.

Lidström also played for Sweden in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, serving as team captain in what would be his final Olympic appearance.[36] Lidström announced his retirement from Olympic competition following Sweden's loss to Slovakia.[37]

Personal life

Lidström is married to Annika,[38] with whom he has four children. Their oldest, Kevin (born 1994), is currently a defenceman for Swedish Division 1 team IFK Arboga,[39] while Adam (born 1996) plays in the Allsvenskan league with VIK Västerås,[40] Lidström's former team. Lidström also has two younger sons: Samuel (born in 2000)[41] and Lucas (born in 2003).[42][43]

Nicklas was featured on an episode of NHL 36.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
1988–89 VIK Västerås HK SEL 20022—4 ——————
1989–90 Västerås IK SEL 398816—14 2011—2
1990–91 Västerås IK SEL 3841923—2 4000—4
1991–92 Detroit Red Wings NHL 801149603622 11123−50
1992–93 Detroit Red Wings NHL 8473441728 7101−20
1993–94 Detroit Red Wings NHL 841046564326 732540
1994–95 Västerås IK SEL 1321012—4 ——————
1994–95 Detroit Red Wings NHL 43101626156 184121648
1995–96 Detroit Red Wings NHL 811750672920 195914210
1996–97 Detroit Red Wings NHL 791542571130 20268122
1997–98 Detroit Red Wings NHL 801742592218 2261319128
1998–99 Detroit Red Wings NHL 811443571414 10291104
1999–00 Detroit Red Wings NHL 812053731918 9246−64
2000–01 Detroit Red Wings NHL 82155671918 617810
2001–02 Detroit Red Wings NHL 78950591320 235111662
2002–03 Detroit Red Wings NHL 821844624038 4022−10
2003–04 Detroit Red Wings NHL 811028381918 1225744
2004–05 Did not play  — season not played due to 2004–05 NHL lockout
2005–06 Detroit Red Wings NHL 801664802150 6112−42
2006–07 Detroit Red Wings NHL 801349624046 184141806
2007–08 Detroit Red Wings NHL 761060704040 2231013814
2008–09 Detroit Red Wings NHL 781643593130 2141216116
2009–10 Detroit Red Wings NHL 82940492324 12461074
2010–11 Detroit Red Wings NHL 82164662−220 1144884
2011–12 Detroit Red Wings NHL 701123342128 500000
SEL totals 110143953—32 6011—6
NHL totals 1,5642648781,142+450514 263541291836176

International

Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
1988 Sweden EJC 4th 6 1 0 1 0
1990 Sweden WJC 5th 7 3 3 6 2
1991 Sweden WC 1st 10 3 3 6 4
1991 Sweden CC 4th 6 1 1 2 4
1994 Sweden WC 3rd 4 1 0 1 2
1996 Sweden WCH SF 4 2 1 3 0
1998 Sweden Oly 5th 4 1 1 2 2
2002 Sweden Oly 5th 4 1 5 6 0
2004 Sweden WCH 5th 4 1 0 1 2
2004 Sweden WC 2nd 2 0 1 1 0
2006 Sweden Oly 1st 8 2 4 6 2
2010 Sweden Oly 5th 4 0 0 0 0
Junior totals 13 4 3 7 2
Senior totals 50 12 16 28 18

Awards

*did not attend

Records

All records are as of the end of the 2011–12 regular season unless otherwise noted.

NHL

Detroit Red Wings

See also

References

  1. ↑ LeBrun, Pierre (15 December 2010). "Nicklas Lidstrom, 'The Perfect Human'". ESPN.
  2. ↑ http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/nicklas_lidstrom_honoring_a_legend/10911776
  3. ↑ http://www.freep.com/article/20120617/COL01/206170619/Nicklas-Lidstrom-unplugged-Mitch-Albom-s-exit-interview-with-the-legendary-Red-Wing?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
  4. ↑ "Lidstrom becomes first European captain to win Stanley Cup", Associated Press, 5 June 2008
  5. ↑ Roose, Bill (29 June 2015). "Lidstrom, Fedorov head to Hall of Fame". NHL.com. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  6. ↑ http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=633436
  7. ↑ "Norris Trophy Voting". HF Boards. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  8. ↑ http://www.nhl.com/ice/careerstats.htm?fetchKey=00003ALLSAHAll&sort=gamesPlayed&viewName=careerLeadersAllSeasons
  9. ↑ "Numbers help tell story of Lidstrom's brilliance". NHL.com. 2012-05-31. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  10. ↑ Alan Adams (13 June 2003). "Forsberg, Lidström, Brodeur among the feted". USA Today. Retrieved 21 September 2006.
  11. 1 2 "ESPN.com – NHL – Recap – Philadelphia Flyers at Detroit Red Wings". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 23 August 2006.
  12. ↑ Kevin Allen (14 June 2002). "Lidstrom makes history in winning Smythe". USA Today. Retrieved 21 September 2006.
  13. ↑ Brian Costello. "Lidstrom – No. 1 Euro; No. 2 blueliner of all time". The Hockey News. Retrieved 10 December 2007.
  14. ↑ "Sporting News' NHL Player of the Decade: Nicklas Lidstrom, D, Red Wings". Sporting News. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
  15. ↑ "NHL: Highlights and lowlights". SI.com. 14 December 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  16. ↑ "Lidstrom remains a Wing". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 June 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  17. ↑ "New lines find scoring touch in win". 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  18. ↑ "Wings re-sign Lidström through 2009-10". TSN.ca. Archived from the original on 9 February 2008. Retrieved 26 December 2007.
  19. ↑ "Lidstrom becomes first European captain to win Stanley Cup". ESPN. 2008-06-05. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  20. ↑ Ted Kulfan. "Red Wings get hat trick at 'NHL Awards Show'". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  21. ↑ "Lidstrom suffers broken nose". Detroit Red Wings. 2008-09-25. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  22. ↑ "Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk must sit out Detroit Red Wings' next game". ESPN. 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  23. ↑ "Lidstrom receives Swedish honor". The Detroit News. 2009-09-29. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
  24. ↑ "Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidström admits taking pride in status as third-most-seasoned playoff vet".
  25. ↑ "Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes - Recap". ESPN. 23 April 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  26. ↑ TSN.ca (1 June 2010). "Lidstrom agrees to 1-year deal with Red Wings". TSN. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  27. ↑ "Detroit Red Wings Hockey Clubhouse". ESPN. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  28. 1 2 3 "Seven-time Norris Trophy winner Lidstrom retires – NHL.com – News". NHL. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  29. 1 2 "Red Light " Posts Was Lidstrom the MVP of his era? "". Nhl-red-light.si.com. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  30. ↑ "Lidstrom up there with Orr, Bourque". Timescolonist.com. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  31. ↑ Yuille, Sean (3 June 2012). "Nicklas Lidstrom Thanks Detroit With Full-Page Ad". SB Nation. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  32. ↑ Lidstrom inducted into MSHOF NHL.com, 28 February 2014
  33. ↑ Knan, Ansar (2013). "Red Wings will wait until next season to retire Nicklas Lidstrom's No. 5 jersey in ceremony". Mlive.com. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  34. ↑ Red Wings to retire Nicklas Lidstrom’s #5
  35. ↑ Andrew Podnieks. "Sweden ranked No. 1 in men's; Canada No. 1 in women's, Niittymaki MVP". IIHF.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2006.
  36. ↑ Elliott, Helene (6 February 2010). "Sweden hopes for more hockey gold". Los Angeles Times
  37. ↑ Shelton, Shannon (26 February 2010). "After tough loss, Lidstrom, 39, says he's done with Olympics competition". Detroit Free Press.
  38. ↑ "Video". CNN. 12 January 1998.
  39. ↑ "Kevin Lidstrom". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  40. ↑ "VIK Hockey Statistics". VIK Hockey. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  41. ↑ AP Photo. "Nicklas Lidstrom says Red Wings' players will send wreath, donation to Bob Probert's funeral | MLive.com". Blog.mlive.com. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  42. ↑ George Malik. "Wings partner with OneGoal, Michigan Amateur Hockey Association to promote youth hockey participation | MLive.com". Blog.mlive.com. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  43. ↑ George Malik. "Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom shares Christmas traditions | MLive.com". Blog.mlive.com. Retrieved 31 May 2012.

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