Written by: Hunter Lyons
23 years ago this June, a player out of Vasteras, Sweden, was
selected with the 53rd overall pick in the NHL draft by the Detroit
Red Wings. The once storied franchise
had been struggling to return to its once prestigious title as "Hockeytown," stemming from its heyday in the 50s with Hall of Famers like Gordie Howe, Sid
Abel and Terry Sawchuck. Being picked in
the 2nd round of the entry draft, the Red Wings obviously thought
very highly of the Swedish offensive-defensemen and expected him to man the
D-line for the Wings for years to come.
What they probably didn’t expect was that Nicklas Lidstrom would play 20
seasons, winning four Stanley Cups, be a 12-time All-Star and win seven Norris
Trophies as the NHL’s "top defensive player," but that is exactly what they
got. Yesterday, the Red Wings captain of
6 years retired from the National Hockey League at a press conference at Joe
Louis Arena in Detroit. Members of the
media packed the presser to get one last glimpse of the player many referred to
as "Mr. Perfect" or "The Perfect Human."
A title like that isn’t bestowed upon a person like that unless he
displays consistent traits of production, leadership and longevity, something Lidstrom
more than did in his years with the winged-wheel on his chest.
The 42-year old, who many believed could
still compete in the league, decided to walk away from the game while he was
still at his best, which is evident from his records as the oldest player to
win the Norris Trophy and to record a hat trick. His presence in the locker room, on the ice
and in the community was undeniable in his time with the Red Wings. Lidstrom entered the league in a time where
European players weren’t as prevalent in the league as they are today,
something many attribute to him. He
holds the record for most regular season games played by a European player at
1,564 and was the first European-born player to win the Norris Trophy, as well
as the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the Stanley Cup Finals MVP.
Growing up being a defensemen in the Southeast Michigan
area, it was easy early on in my career who I wanted to emulate my game
after. His steadiness, ability to play
both ways and his overall ability to make those around him better is the reason
I wore #5 throughout my college hockey career.
Nick says he plans on returning to his native Sweden with his family but
hopes to be involved with the Red Wings in the future, where he will be
welcomed with open arms when he decides to do so. With all the accolades, records and even a
2006 gold medal to wear around his neck, Lidstrom’s legacy will live on far
beyond the goals he scored, as well as stop.
He has a number of charities in his name in the Metro-Detroit area
spanning from youth hockey initiatives to cancer research. Next season Lidstrom’s #5 will undoubtedly be
hung from the rafters next to the greats like Howe and most recently Steve
Yzerman, but in my belief his biggest legacy will be left on the logo at center
ice that reads "HOCKEYTOWN," a name he helped restore and give meaning to once
again.
Edmonton Oilers lock up Jordan Eberle with 6-year deal
Written by: Matthew Blunk
The Philadelphia Flyers aren't the only NHL team keeping busy this summer.
One week after locking up left wing Taylor Hall with a seven-year contract, the Edmonton Oilers signed forward Jordan Eberle to a six-year, $36 million extension. The newly "man-strong" Eberle posted 34 goals and 76 points in 78 during the 2011-12 season, in a breakout campaign for the 22-year-old right wing.
Flyers sign Scott Hartnell, Wayne Simmonds to extensions
Written by: Matthew Blunk
Amidst the uncertainty of this NHL offseason, with murmurs of a potential lockout to come, the Philadelphia Flyers have signed two more players to long-term deals.
Philadelphia signed forward Wayne Simmonds to a 6-year, near $24 million extension on Aug. 16. On Monday, the Flyers agreed to extend forward Scott Hartnell with a 6-year, $28.5 million deal. …
Top 50 NHL players of the 2012 season
Written by: Matthew Blunk
1) Evgeni Malkin, C - Pittsburgh Penguins
2) Sidney Crosby, C - Pittsburgh Penguins
3) Claude Giroux, C - Philadelphia Flyers
4) Steven Stamkos, F - Tampa Bay Lightning
5) Jonathan Quick, G - Los Angeles Kings
6) Alexander Ovechkin, F - Washington Capitals
7) Henrik Lundqvist, G - New York Rangers
