Wings will retire Lidstrom's number

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by Fire

I would take a healthy Pronger in his prime over Lidstrom in his prime.

I'd take a healthy Lindros in his prime over a Sakic in his prime...so therefore Lindros is better overall?

to me career longevity and consistency are the most difficult accomplishments of all. but that kind of thing is hard for a lot of fans to recognize and account for. it's like comparing a blinding camera flash to a 40 watt bulb that's turned on all day. which put out more light overall? which one was more memorable?

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Who? Marcel Dionne was a forward.

Well there goes my credibility, was thinking potvin

[flamesfan1297]

he deserved it. i am not sure that he is in the top five in terms of dmen though

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Yeah, Niedermayer shouldn't be in the same conversation as Lidstrom.

Ian White agrees

[DeluxeMoustache]

Maybe there was a thread a while back to speak about Konstantinov.

Average stats
9 g, 22 a, + 34, >150 PIM

Now there is a unique defender that strikes fear in to the hearts of his opponents.

When he was forced to retire, Lidstrom stepped up. And excelled

Could you imagine Lidstrom sharing the blue line with him?

[Coach]

In my mind, Lidstrom is #2 all-time behind Mr. Orr.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by MattyC

In my mind, Lidstrom is #2 all-time behind Mr. Orr.

I still put Larry Robinson ahead of Lidstrom. He could do everything Lidstrom did, and he also had the sheer strength (and mean streak) to take guys apart like Meccano sets. Big Bird did it all.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

I still put Larry Robinson ahead of Lidstrom. He could do everything Lidstrom did, and he also had the sheer strength (and mean streak) to take guys apart like Meccano sets. Big Bird did it all.

Plus he was a career +730 in the regular season.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Komskies

Plus he was a career +730 in the regular season.

That's really beside the point. My dog would have been +730 playing for the Habs all those years. And I didn't even have a dog.

However, here's a testament to Robinson's abilities: For a long time, the Habs only dressed five defencemen, and double-shifted Robinson to fill the gap. His ability to eat up minutes was simply phenomenal.

However, this thread is about Lidstrom. I wouldn't put him ahead of Robinson or Orr, but I do believe he belongs in the conversation with them, and I mean that as high praise. He was as important to the Red Wings as Yzerman, and Yzerman's number has been in the rafters for years. Lidstrom is more than worthy of the same honour.

[Cole436]

My top 5 all time

1. Orr
2. Harvey
3. Bourque
4. Shore
5. Lidstrom

[sun]

I know it's not really rational given how great of a player he is, but I wish he hit guys now and then and fought more than once in his career. Not really the game he played though.

One of the all time best and a treat to watch every time I saw him play. Especially live.