Red Wings Captain, Nick Lidstrom’s contract had expired, and the 6-time Norris Trophy winner for best defenseman was contemplating retirement. If the Red Wings lost Steve Yzerman and Lidstrom in less than a week apart… I would question Sid Abel’s hockey god intentions. Luckily, Lidstrom signed a one year contract extension worth $7 million.
Lidstrom took a $1.25 million pay cut, which gives the Red Wings some room in the salary cap. Under NHL regulations, a team can only spend $56.8 m (with the possibility to increase by $3 m for next season).
Lidstrom was not considering retirement because his level of play has dropped but because his oldest son is enrolled in a hockey academy in Sweden next season. The contract extension is only for one year, and the Red Wing’s future looks uncertain with Thomas Holmstrom and Todd Bertuzzi also being free agents.
