Silver Nuggets: Lidstrom Changes the Game

In his retirement press conference the other day, Nicklas Lidstrom did what he has been doing for his whole career; he changed the game again. Sure, he redefined his position by being the most intimidating defenseman to never throw a big hit. Sure, he became the first European Captain to lead his team to a Stanley Cup win, and the first to win a Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. Heck he just won the Norris Trophy as a 41 year old last year.

Yet even as he left the game, he changed it again.

''Retiring today allows me to walk away with pride, rather than have the game walk away from me,'' said Lidstrom

Well damn. Who says something so perfect? As a Senators fan, one has to hope that fellow Swedish superstar Daniel Alfredsson does not hear those words and take the advice in them.

So the question today is simple (in homage to Lidstrom himself): Will the way Nick left the NHL have an impact on Alfie's decision?

Senators Links

• The always amazing Mark Parisi looks at the pipe dream of 30 teams: getting both Ryan Suter and Zach Parise to sign here in the offseason. No word on whether Mark wants Zach on the Sens just so he can tell people who cannot spell that they are related. [SSS}
• A potentially more likely scenario is envisioned by Nichols at the 6th Sens who would very much like to take Tobias Enstrom off of Winnipeg's hands. If he's available, I think its an excellent idea. Enstrom teeing up Karlsson on the power play makes me feel warm and fuzzy. [6thSens]
• Expert draft scout/analyst Don Brennan tells you how the 1994 draft should have gone down. Spoiler: Daniel Alfredsson goes first overall! (This is how slow news is in the summer guys). [Sun]
• Two big decisions for the organization are on the blue line in the form of two veterans who had bounce back seasons and were really really integral to the team making the playoffs. The Sens need to decide what the plan is for Sergei Gonchar and Filip Kuba. [Warren]

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