Tonight, Nicklas Lidstrom will officially be a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. A 3rd round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, he is arguably the best defenseman to ever play the game. Breaking into the league in 1991 and playing until 2012, Lidstrom never missed the playoffs in his entire 20 season career. How many guys get to say that? Racking up seven Norris Trophies for the leagues best defenseman, winning 4 Stanley Cups in six Finals appearances, and is also a member of the Triple Gold club. Lidstrom put up 1,142 points in 1,564 NHL games, and missing only 42 games in his entire career. His durability is in large part due to the fact he was never a physical guy. He didn't have to be. He saw the game in a way few others did. Using his stick in ways few others could, knew how to make a perfect breakout pass, and was always in perfect position.
Lidstrom was a huge part in turning the Red Wings franchise around. Part of the core that got the franchise out of the "Dead Wings" era. A 3rd round pick in 1989 in what may be the best drafting an NHL team has ever done with the likes of Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstintinov, Mike Sillinger, and Bob Boughner being drafted by the Wings in the same draft. His biggest knock was his strength.
After playing in Sweden for a couple years, the Wings brought him over in 1991 and they never looked back. Starting what is currently the longest active playoff streak in all 4 of the major professional sports at 24 consecutive seasons, Lidstrom never got a chance to enjoy a long offseason although I'm sure he wouldn't complain.
The key to Lidstrom was his positioning. The way he used his stick and the boards to cut the opposition from creating an offensive attack is something that may never be done again. He was never out of position, go ahead, try and find a time he was, you'll be looking forever. He never got himself caught up ice and never put himself in a vulnerable position.
Not only was Lidstrom great defensively, he was pretty darn good in the offensive zone as well. Him and Tomas Holmstrom made up some of the most frustrating and annoying times for opponents. With Lidstrom's shot and Holmstrom's ability to screen the goalie and deflect shots in a way that hasn't been duplicated since made up one of the deadliest power plays in the NHL.
When Lidstrom decided to retire in 2012, it ended an era. His accomplishments speak for themselves. He did just about everything a hockey player can possibly do. Winning championships internationally and in the NHL. Winning multiple individual awards, being named captain and also the first European born NHL player to win the Stanley Cup as captain in 2008, he was also one of the best players on and off the ice the NHL has ever seen. As if having his jersey retired in March of 2014 wasn't enough, he will now be a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame officially marking the end of a career the only way a guy with the nickname of "The Perfect Human" could end: Perfectly.
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