Nicklas Lidstrom Retires, Ending His 20-Year NHL Career

Does Nicklas Lidstrom's Retirement Affect Ryan Suter?

Nicklas Lidstrom's retirement means the Red Wings are in the market for a No. 1 defenseman. Does that mean Ryan Suter is their man?

A Deeper Look At Nicklas Lidstrom's Hall Of Fame Career

It's a day to look back and remember the Hall of Fame career of Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom. The 20-year NHL veteran retired from hockey on Thursday with a proper sendoff on his own terms. Lidstrom said he's no longer able to play at a peak level and he no longer has the motivation to do so. Seems as good a time as any to hang up the skates.

Dirk Hoag of SB Nation and On The Forecheck sat down to discuss Lidstrom's career -- his legacy, how he rose to become one of the league's all-time greatest defensemen, and where the Detroit Red Wings turn now that their captain is riding off into the sunset.

For more on Nicklas Lidstrom's retirement from the NHL, stick with our StoryStream. Get local reaction from Red Wings fans at Winging It In Motown and SB Nation Detroit.

Nicklas Lidstrom Wants To Remain Involved With Red Wings Despite Impending Move To Sweden

Nicklas Lidstrom has retired. His hockey career is over, and he's adamant about it -- no Brett Favre-like comeback scenarios here. But of course, that begs the question: What will Lidstrom do with his time now that his career is over? A player of his caliber almost certainly wants to remain in the game in some way, right?

Yes. Lidstrom wants to stay in the game, but will he take a job with the Red Wings right away? He talked about that a bit at his press conference on Thursday.

"As far as the next career move, [Red Wings general manager Ken Holland] and I have had some discussions about the future, and I've told him that I'd like to remain with the organization somehow, but we haven't really talked much past that. That might be a question for Kenny, but it's been brought up in our discussions."

Lidstrom also revealed that he'll be moving his family back to Sweden. He's made Detroit his second home over the last two decades, but with the rest of his extended family still back in Sweden, it's important to him that they live across the Atlantic near those loved ones.

For more on Nicklas Lidstrom's retirement from the NHL, stick with our StoryStream. Get local reaction from Red Wings fans at Winging It In Motown and SB Nation Detroit.

Nicklas Lidstrom Retirement Reaction: Red Wing Nation Weeps

After 20 seasons in the NHL, Detroit Red Wings great Nicklas Lidstrom has decided to retire from the NHL. The defenseman is a sure fire future Hall Of Fame candidate and has been one of the biggest cogs in the Red Wings over the past two decades.

With the loss of one of the greatest defenseman in Red Wings history, SB Nation's Red Wings blog Winging It In Motown weeps.

His stature as a great defenseman wasn't limited to his on-ice play. The man embodied class off the ice, and never did you hear a negative thing about something he said or did. Opponents were quick to heap praise on him for the way he conducted himself as a person, the greatest compliment you can give a player.

...

I just want to celebrate the career of the greatest defenseman one of the greatest people I ever had the privilege to watch. Nick, it was an honor to witness your career, and I hope that retirement serves you well. We'll see you back in October for the jersey retirement.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go to Target. I seem to have run out of tissues, and it's gotten awfully dusty in here.

Going forward the Red Wings will need address this loss on their roster, but for now we can just remember Lidstrom for the great player that he was.

For more on Nicklas Lidstrom's retirement from the NHL, stick with our StoryStream. Get local reaction from Red Wings fans at Winging It In Motown and SB Nation Detroit.

Nicklas Lidstrom Retires From Hockey After 20 Seasons

It's over. After 20 seasons, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom has retired from the game of hockey. The future Hall of Famer announced his retirement on his own terms Thursday morning in a news conference at Joe Louis Arena.

"The last few seasons, I waited until the end of the season to assess my ability to play another year," Lidstrom said. "Sadly this year, it's painfully obvious to me that my strength and energy level are not rebounding enough for me to continue to play. My drive and motivation are not where they need to be to play at this level."

Lidstrom can still play the game at a high level, but apparently not high enough. It's safe to say that the organization wants Lidstrom to stay on the ice if the words of general manager Ken Holland mean anything.

"I think I've been dreading this since I became manager in 1997," Holland said. "I think I speak for the entire Red Wing organization in congratulating Nick on a great career. It's a Hall of Fame career."

Lidstrom leaves the NHL on his own terms.

"It's not that the tank is completely empty. It just doesn't have enough to carry me through every game at the high level where I want to play at. My family and I are completely comfortable with this decision. Retiring today allows me to walk away from the game with pride rather than have the game walk away from me."

As for his future, Lidstrom said that he's going to be moving back to Sweden with his family. He's talked with Holland about a potential future involved with the Red Wings, but nothing has been decided on that front.

Lidstrom earned four Stanley Cups, seven Norris Trophies, one Conn Smythe Trophy and 11 All-Star Game nods in his 20 year career. He will be missed.

Nicklas Lidstrom Undeniably One Of The Best

Nicklas Lidstrom's retirement isn't just a loss for the Detroit Red Wings and their fans. It's a loss for the entire hockey world.

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Nicklas Lidstrom Retirement Press Conference Scheduled For Thursday Morning

Nicklas Lidstrom has played 20 seasons in the NHL, and while we all hope this is a big joke, it certainly appears as though the future Hall of Fame defenseman has played his final game. The Detroit Red Wings have called a press conference at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, and it's expected that Lidstrom will step away from the game at that press conference.

NHL Network will carry the proceedings live, as will NHL.com. Following the press conference on NHL Network, an encore presentation of NHL 36, the league-produced documentary series that follows players for 36 hours during the season, featuring Lidstrom will be broadcast.

There's no doubt that it will be a sad day in Detroit as one of the best defensemen to ever play the game hangs up the skates.

For more on Nicklas Lidstrom's retirement from the NHL, stick with our StoryStream. Get local reaction from Red Wings fans at Winging It In Motown and SB Nation Detroit.

Nicklas Lidstrom Retiring Thursday, According To Report

Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom will announce his retirement Thursday, according to a report.