One of the best hockey players of all time has retired from the game. Arguably the best ever from Sweden. He spent 20 years in the NHL, all of them with the Detroit Red Wings.

Four Stanley Cups, seven Norris Trophies (Orr has 8, Harvey 7, Borque 5). He was the first ever european to captain a Stanley Cup winning team. The first ever european to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. He has won the Olympic gold medal (2006), scoring the game winner in the final against Finland. In 2007 The Hockey News named him the GOAT european player

NHL All-Star Game 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011

NHL First All-Star Team 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011

I still think he is underrated in Sweden where it's all Forsberg and Sundin. Going by accolades he is the best swede ever and it is not close. At all. I remember seeing him play in the Swedish Elitserie back in the late 80s. That is a long ass time ago. Unbelievable consistency.

Not a red wings fan, but he was a total legend.

Not a huge hockey guy, but I've always despised the Red Wings.

Hats off to Lidstrom on an unreal career though. Never heard a bad thing about the guy. Also mad respect for sticking it out with 1 team his entire career. I wish more players had that kind of loyalty to their clubs/cities.

Not a Red Wings fan either but always liked Lidström.

From what I gather he was a class act both on and off the ice. Not that many players get the chance to play out their entire career with one team. Hell, even the Peyton Mannings and Wayne Gretzkys of the world sometimes get traded.

Play for the WANGZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ?

Get some RANGZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Great player.

Those guys that play at a really high level in the NHL for periods of > 15 years blow my mind.

The best defenseman of all time. Played the game in a way few other defensemen have, or probably ever will again. In an era where defensemen were supposed to be big bruisers, he killed opponents with fantastic stick work and great positioning. There was almost never a time where Nick seemed caught out of position on the ice.

He lost a step in the last couple of years here, and I think it's time for him to hang it up. Will surely be missed on the Wings for years to come.

1). Orr
2). Lidstrom

Someone on facebook posted a picture yesterday of Lidstrom about to walk up stairs as his jersey was being raised to the rafters....so annoying that i can't remember who posted it. great pic

nah

Sort by defensemen goals -->> become NHL expert.

Much respect. He was essentially the perfect hockey player, and by accounts was a great guy off the ice. Congrats on the great career.

wait what? That wasn't meant as a troll, that's big time praise. Go to HF and say that and let the tards jump down your throat about how Bourque and Doug Harvey are both better.

I get that, just decided to get a little meme jab in.

I think that while Orr revolutionized the position, Lidstrom's consistency, longevity, and play in stretches of his career that was as close to perfect as you can get give him the nod over Orr.

Of course I have a home interest in this as well as not having been alive to see Orr play.

blasphemy itt