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DETROIT: Nicklas Lidstrom has dropped a bombshell, announcing his return to the Detroit Red Wings. His decision to return has surprised those who were predicting Lidstrom’s retirement from the game.
The star defenseman inked another one-year contract with the team. Many thought Lidstrom will give up his skates at the age of 40.
Team’s coach Mike Babcock expressed happiness over Lidstrom’s rdecision. "It's a huge benefit anytime you have an upper-echelon player, who can still play at a high level, decide to stay with your organization," coach Mike Babcock said.
Earlier, Lidstrom had indicated that time had come when you bids adieu to the game. The state defenseman has been associated with the Red Wings throughout his 18 NHL seasons long carer.
Lidstrom’s performance in the last season was a dismal one, as he managed only 49 points. And only second time in the last ten years, he was not finalist for Norris Trophy.
Almost two years ago, Lidstrom was named NHL's best defenseman for the sixth time in career. In spite of what experts called poor performance, Lidstorm managed to be the leading player.
Talking to the media, Listrom claimed that his game was still at a high-level. However, he said that he had no intentions of breaking Chris Chelios' record. Chelios had played his last season at the age of 48.
"If I'm going to continue to play, that's not going to be a goal of mine," Lidstrom had quipped after end of the season.
"As we've watched the playoffs, we believe we can still knock on the door next year," Babcock said. "You can't do that if you're losing players, and we're not. In fact, we've already added a little."
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