DETROIT -- Four-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Friday.

Financial terms weren't disclosed.

"Nick has been the best defenseman in the game for several years," general manager Ken Holland said Friday. "He's a big part of our franchise not only because [of] his elite level of play and the number of minutes he logs, but also for his professionalism, experience and leadership."

Lidstrom led all NHL defensemen last season with a career-high 80 points. He has spent his entire 14-year career with Detroit. 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.

hellz yeah

Good to hear. Lidstrom was always my favorite Wing, he's do so many little things that if you didn't pay attention you'd miss them.

Good news but the terms of the deal are what matter. 16 million for 2 years not good, 4.5-6.5 per great deal.

Lidstrom took a lower salary than he would have gotten anywhere else just so detroit could compete to get top notch free agents to make this team a contender

so far 2 days in the top notch FA's are largely gone, already signed with other teams and the Wings havent touched anyone

The Wings still need
1) Number 1 Goaltender
2) Power Forward
3) Mobile Defenseman

there are a few available via trade and if they lose Shanny to St Louis they'll really be in trouble

if they lose Shanny to St Louis they'll really be in trouble

How will they ever be able to replace that one goal in the playoffs next year?

So he didn't even do the whole "I'm going back to Sweden" thing this year?

That was starting to get Favre-esque.

Don't forget to conclude that statement with "I don't want my kids to grow up in America."

if they lose Shanny to St Louis they'll really be in trouble

How will they ever be able to replace that one goal in the playoffs next year?

how will they replace the 40 odd goals to get them to the playoffs?

Even if you just subtract those 40 goals from the Wings last year they were still tied for 3rd in the West for goals scored with 265. He's much more a luxury than a necessity.

Get a guy who can score 2 goals in the playoffs next year (or any of the next 3 years) and its an improvement.

Even if you just subtract those 40 goals from the Wings last year they were still tied for 3rd in the West for goals scored with 265. He's much more a luxury than a necessity.

Get a guy who can score 2 goals in the playoffs next year (or any of the next 3 years) and its an improvement.

you get rid of Shanny you've lost virtually ALL the supposed "toughness" and edge to the team

and your filled with a bunch of fancy pansy's that nobody will be afraid to knock around

*see 06 playoffs where edmonton ran detroit into the ground physically

With Shanny, its only "supposed" toughness. He's just as much a pansy player as the rest of them these days. I'm all for getting some strength. I'm not advocating for more skating princesses.

Good luck
there arent that many good FA's out there
and when you look in the minor league system all detroit has are skating Ice Princesses

Hudler the most highly touted prospect is a good example of this

where are your strong Eric Staal's and the like.........i suppose thats the price you pay for regular season success, no high 1st round picks

and now no unlimited budget for FA's to make up for that

Having no better option does not justify overpaying Shanny. Sure they probably can't fill their needs, that doesn't mean they should keep a guy who doesn't either.

are you ready for what most other teams have been through lately.......the dreaded "rebuilding" years then?

Well, losing in the first round hasn't been all that exciting rescently.

Well, losing in the first round hasn't been all that exciting rescently.

Amen to that

now if Toronto would man up and rebuild I'd be happy