Nicklas Lidstrom Returns for 20th Season!

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In Play! took part in today’s press conference with Red Wings Captain Nicklas Lidstrom and Wings General Manager Kenny Holland where Lidstrom announced he will in fact be returning for one more year. 

This will be Lidstrom's 20th year in the NHL and all of them with the Red Wings.

Kenny Holland started off by saying “We’re thrilled that Nick has decided to come back and play another year.  He’s coming off an outstanding season and in my opinion, even at age 41, continues to be the top two-way defenseman in the world.”

Lidstrom mentioned a few line items in his rationale for coming back, "Motivation was the most important thing in making my decision to come back. The reason it took as long to make my mind up was I wanted to talk to my family and make sure I had the motivation and commitment to be prepared for another season."

Lidstrom went on to say "The preparation starts now to be ready for the upcoming season. You have to be ready to play now…in June."

Another factor that brings Lidstrom back is the team he captains, Lidstrom says, “Having a competitive team was also a factor.”

He sets a personal bar by which he measures his play, “If I drop off and I can't keep up to that level I won't be playing."

The veteran Blueliner also takes into account the winding down process after a playoff run before considering his decision to return, "It gets a little bit tougher, you're mentally fatigued after the ups and downs of the playoffs."

As for the upcoming season Lidstrom thinks that to improve the Red Wings need to tighten up defensively, "Our goals against needs to be better, letting in less goals, especially in the playoffs. Special teams and goals against...as a team"

What would have happened if the Wings would have won the Stanley Cup? Would this have made his decision easier? Lidstrom says, “It would’ve been easier to walk away on top, but who knows if I would have had motivation to come back for a repeat? (Laughs)”

As for his future plans Lidstrom says "I will take it year by year at my age, I have to be motivated. I have to have fun otherwise I wouldn't be playing."

Holland spoke a little bit about the team’s upcoming plans to test the free agency waters, “The Wings are going to explore free agency and will make some decisions in the next 10 days. This season will see the cap space increased and the Wings also have Rafalski's salary back.”

Holland goes on to say, “I’ve been getting calls from other teams that are looking to do something different, we’re looking to be active and we have money to spend”

From the tone of Lidstrom’s presser he is approaching each year with a one at a time attitude and did not rule out the 2012-13 season.

Lidstrom currently ranks second all-time with 258 career postseason games played (Chris Chelios – 266) and is second all-time among defenseman with 183 playoff points (Paul Coffey – 196).  His 54 postseason goals rank him third all-time among NHL blue-liners.

Keeping with Red Wing front office tradition the details of Lidstrom's contract were not disclosed.

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