Detroit Red Wings All-Time Team and Line Combinations
Nicklas Lidstrom
What can be said about Nicklas Lidstrom that hasn’t been said already? He is without a doubt, the greatest defenseman of the 90’s and 00’s; and the greatest defensman in Detroit Red Wings history. The spectacular Swede broke onto the scene with the Red Wings during the 91-92 season amassing 60 points in 80 games.
In many ways, Lidstrom was the perfect NHL defenseman. He possessed a combination of offensive and defensive aptitude that only comes around once in a generation. His 1142 points in 1564 games is a point per game pace that is better than most second line forwards, let alone top defensemen. If his scoring ability from the point wasn’t already enough, he was also widely considered to possess the best defensive stick of his era.
Lidstrom did not have a very flashy defensive game; but he did have an uncanny ability to break up plays with the poke check. In a one on one situation, no defenseman in hockey was as cool, calm, and collected as Lidstrom.
Lidstrom’s abilities went far beyond his skill however, he was also a natural born leader. In Detroit’s 2002 Stanley Cup victory, he became the first ever European born hockey player to win the Conn Smythe trophy. He then became the first European player in history to captain a team to a Stanley Cup championship. Lidstrom finished his career with three Stanley Cup championships, and a staggering seven Norris Trophies (awarded to the best defenseman in the league).