Really, this isn't anything any Red Wings fan wants to think about.
The thought of seeing the best defenseman in franchise history leave the team, when he's still capable of playing at a high level is a painful one.
Still, Nicklas Lidstrom has told Red Wings GM Ken Holland that he will ponder his future for the next couple of weeks and then inform him of his decision.
While many believe that Lidstrom will decide to continue playing for a year or two, he may very well decide that, with absolutely nothing left to prove or win in the NHL, the time has come for him to call it a career and return to his native Sweden.
If this turns out to be the case, the Red Wings will have to start thinking about signing a new defenseman this summer.
There is no replacement for a legend of Lidstrom's stature, so looking for one via trade or the free-agent market is a fool's errand.
However, there are a few defenseman that could provide the Red Wings with a solid defensive corps moving into the 2010-11 season and beyond.
As unpleasant as it may be to start thinking about Red Wings hockey post-Lidstrom, preparing for this very real possibility is something Ken Holland is certainly doing, and so s ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Matt Hutter
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