t will likely be strange for Detroit Red Wings fans to see someone else wearing the captain's "C" this upcoming season, but Steve Yzerman's reported replacement will be comforting.
According to a report in the Detroit Free Press, veteran defenseman and fan favorite Nicklas Lidstrom will be the next captain of the Red Wings. A source within the organization told the newspaper that the team will wait on making an official announcement, but no timetable was given.
Lidstrom, 36, has been with the team since the 1991-92 season and has played his entire NHL career in Detroit. After winning his fourth straight Norris Trophy in June, Lidstrom signed a new two-year deal with the club. Lidstrom served as alternate captain over the past few seasons.
Yzerman, who had been the Red Wings' captain since the 1986-87 season, announced his retirement this offseason.
Lidstrom led all NHL defensemen last season with a career-high 80 points. Only Hall of Famers Bobby Orr (eight), Doug Harvey (seven) and Ray Bourque (five) have won the Norris more times than the 36-year-old Swede.
I can't say that I am surprised. I, also, can't help but think about when Yzerman was named captain and how I felt that he wasn't right for the job.
It was mentioned in the offseason thread but I won't glass dick you since you aren't in here much anymore...
I heard Babcock on WXYT yesterday. It's not official but he's also not denying it. It sounds like he's actually going to have a meeting with the top leaders on the current team and even Yzerman will have part in the process to formally name the new captain. I think it would be wise to just give it to Nick and not put the pressure on Zetterberg to immediately follow Yzerman. I'm sure by training camp, it'll be made official or they might do something opening night to ceremonially present Lidstrom with the C. He's a stop gap choice mostly because of his age but at this very moment, he's the most deserving choice and he'd probably be captain on pretty much every team in the league. In a few years when he retires and Zetterberg is among the elite players of the league...if he isn't right now...he'll be able to handle the task with ease.
