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| Nicklas LIDSTROM (LID-struhm, NIHK-las) |
Detroit Red Wings |
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Defense. Shoots left. 6'1'', 193 lbs. Born, Vasteras, Sweden, April 28, 1970.
Detroit's 3rd choice, 53rd overall, in 1989 Entry Draft.
2007-08 Statistics as of Jan. 24/08: 51 GP – 5 G – 41 A – 46 Pts. – 28 PIM
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Lidstrom leads the League with a plus 34 rating and his 41 points (4-37--41) lead all defensemen in scoring (as of January 14).
Lidstrom and defense partner Brian Rafalski are the highest-scoring defensive pair in the NHL. Rafalski ranks second behind Lidstrom in defenseman scoring with 38 points (8-30--38).
Nicklas Lidstrom has won the Norris Trophy five times in the last six years (2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007). Only Bobby Orr (8) and Doug Harvey (7) have won more Norris Trophies.
Now in his 16th season, Lidstrom has missed just 22 games in his career.
Lidstrom and Detroit Red Wings teammate Chris Osgood made their All-Star Game debuts together in 1996 in Boston. Former Red Wings teammate and then a member of the Detroit front office, Mark Howe, observed prior to Lidstrom's All-Star debut: "I think maybe now that Nick's going to get in the All-Star Game, people are going to see ... maybe he'll become much more of a noticeable player."
Fellow All-Star teammates recognized Lidstrom's greatness at the 2007 All-Star weekend. Teemu Selanne: "He's a computer. He doesn't do mistakes. The way he can see the game and he can pass, it's incredible. It's going to be fun to play with him." Joe Sakic: "He's one of those guys that probably drives everybody nuts because you can't beat him. For me, and you can probably ask a lot of guys, it's more frustrating playing against a guy like Nicklas who's in such good position you can't beat him than if somebody tries to take a run at you. At least then you have a chance that maybe he misses you and you've got a shot on goal." Kimmo Timonen: "He's the best defenseman in the league. He's done it for years; in my mind, if you do it for years, you are pretty good. He's done it, so in my mind he's the best."
Lidstrom served as captain of the 2000 World All-Star Team that played their North America counterparts in Toronto.
Lidstrom was named the first European-born captain of the Red Wings on October 5, 2006.
Lidstrom will be making his eighth consecutive All-Star Game start.
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