Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom will announce his retirement after 20 NHL seasons at a news conference Thursday afternoon, a source told ESPN.com on Wednesday.
Was watching a bit of commentary on this last night. Obviously Bobby Orr is more or less untouchable as the top defenseman in hockey history. Eddie Shore and Doug Harvey are probably two and three. The second tier (or third if Orr is on his own) is Denis Potvin, Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey, and Larry Robinson. Lindstrom probably goes ahead of those guys? Hard to say. Lindstrom will not only be celebrated as one of the best defensemen of all time but as one of the NHL's best players, best athletes, and most consummate professionals as well.
