The NHL Retirement Thread

[hockeymass 11]

Might be putting bad karma out there by saying this, but I'm upset he's retiring. I had always hoped I would get to see someone seriously injure Avery.

There was the time Jagr almost killed him.

[17D1998 1]

Good riddance. He was a douche anyway

[dsjunior1388 81]

Nick Lidstrom and Ken Holland are having a press conference tomorrow. Last year, and in years past, since Lidstrom started signing one year deals, he has usually had a press release or a conference call. Could very well be the end of his Hall of Fame career. Should be interesting to watch.

[EBondo 233]

Man, could be the end of an era tomorrow. Second best d-man to ever play the game

[noodle3872 40]

Man, could be the end of an era tomorrow. Second best d-man to ever play the game

He'd be in my top three with Bourque and Robinson.

[DLK 0]

It'll be a shame to see the end of the era.

I'm holding out hope, but his house is up for sale already from what I hear.

[psh 25]

I will really miss watching him. The effortless way he managed every circumstance really brought Gretzky to mind. Never behind the play, never stressed. Always a step ahead mentally and positionally. So smooth.

He was one of the best, classiest ambassadors the game has ever had. I can't immediately think of a successor in that role for the league, much less the Wings.

That said, I wonder why he didn't wait until the end of the championship series to make the announcment.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

It's nuts just because physically he can still play the game. His style is so economically sound, that his body doesn't take nearly the amount of pounding the normal defenseman would take. All good things must come to an end though. He was a player I enjoyed watching him throughout the years. Never saw another D-man have the ability to keep the puck along the ice and it still be a threat to score and/or assist another player's goal ha.

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

And an even better person than an athlete. One of the kindest, nicest people I've ever dealt with. Never used his status to get preferential treatment.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

That's a rare thing in sports. Nice to see some people can conduct themselves in such a manner.

[RadioGaGa 162]

He should have waiting until after the Finals were over...typical "all about me pro athlete bs"

/sarcasm.

Lids has deserved to go out whenever and however he wants!!!!!

[goblue9280 33]

Hopefully the HHOF waives the 3-year waiting period... no other player has been as deserving since Gretzky.

As a wings fan, it's so weird to think of watching them play without him... not just because he's been there 20 straight years, but also because of how rarely he sat out due to sickness/injury/rest.

[dsjunior1388 81]

The younger fans don't often think of Orr, presumably because they didn't grow up watching him. I haven't yet seen anyone to make me forget him.

I'm only 23 so I missed Orr, but I still feel like his impact is felt regularly. I still think his +124 season is the single most impressive stat in all of tea sports.

Hopefully the HHOF waives the 3-year waiting period... no other player has been as deserving since Gretzky.

As a wings fan, it's so weird to think of watching them play without him... not just because he's been there 20 straight years, but also because of how rarely he sat out due to sickness/injury/rest.

They announced after Gretzky that no one would be fast tracked again, presumably because of the whispers about Lemieux that came true.

[psh 25]

_{Here is a very nice piece on Lidstrom. I am sure there will be many more after the official announcement:}

_{http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/michael_rosenberg/05/30/nicklas.lidstrom/index.html?sct=nhl_t2_a6}

[goblue9280 33]

They announced after Gretzky that no one would be fast tracked again, presumably because of the whispers about Lemieux that came true.

I'm aware of that. But I contend there hasn't been a player deserving of it since Gretzky... and now there is.

[Empieee 0]

What a great career, the way he played is so different then most d-men. Always seemed to be in the perfect spot, rarely caught out of position,

the end of an era for Detroit but I think it is safe to say it is also the end of an era for the NHL.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

http://www.nhl.com/i...s.htm?id=633292

Lids was the last of those 90's Red Wings' greats. Impressive the way he was able to play the game for so long. 20 years. Well done sir. Well done.

[chk hrd 164]

And an even better person than an athlete. One of the kindest, nicest people I've ever dealt with. Never used his status to get preferential treatment.

He retired with the same class, dignity and respect that he played with. It was an honor to see him play. As a die hard Wings fan I will miss him but think he trained the Wings current D-men well enough to carry on where he left off.

Thank you Mr Lidstrom for everything you have done for all of hockey. You have earned the rest.

[Stewie 721]

As a wings fan, i spent most of my time growing up with the honor of watching him play and carry himself in such a great manner, realizing what few athletes do nowadays, in that an athlete doesnt need to be a rock star, and can take the lunch pail to work day in and day out.

His decision might seem like poor timing to an outsider, but he wanted to let the team know as soon as he was sure with his decision, that way they can make the necessary off season preparations. Chances are he will be somehow part of our european scouting, helping us find someone that could even come close to replacing him.

A lot of people say Orr was better, but for my money, Lidstrom excelled in a game where European influence bulked up the talent in the league, and brought many different styles of offensive play into the game, and had the mind to be able to adjust to each opponents strengths, and ALWAYS be in the right position. Equipment advances brought lower scoring totals during his career as well. For my money, he is THE best defenceman of all time.

And an even better person than an athlete. One of the kindest, nicest people I've ever dealt with. Never used his status to get preferential treatment.

i agree. i really enjoyed meeting him when i was a young athlete. although if you watched his NHL 36, he does seem to get some great service in some very empty restaurants.

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

[Empieee 0]

now that is a class act

[goaliemanshark 6]

Wow.

[wrangler 157]

That's gotta be a hell of a transition for the kids.

[chippa13 1844]

I'd guess that they spent a good deal of their offseason time back home.

Lidstrom was the very definition of smooth. I don't think I ever saw him take a hard stride, nor did he ever seem to need one. It leaves a definite hole in the league for that ambassador defenseman that quietly went about his business. He picked up the mantle from Bourque and now I don't think there is a guy out there to pick it up from Lidstrom.

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

That's gotta be a hell of a transition for the kids.

They would stay in town about a week after the season ended and then they would take off to Sweden and wouldn't come back until the school year started. The eldest has been living in Sweden for the past couple of years now.