DETROIT — Nicklas Lidstrom proved to himself he is still one of the NHL’s best defensemen last season, and that is good news for Detroit fans.
The 41-year-old Lidstrom will return for a 20th season with the Red Wings.
“Coming off this season, helped me to make this decision,” Lidstrom said after agreeing to a one-year deal worth $6.2 million.
Lidstrom is a Norris Trophy finalist for the 11th time in 13 seasons. If he wins the award for being the league’s top defenseman — it would be his seventh — Wednesday, he will match Doug Harvey’s total and trail Bobby Orr’s record by only one. Lidstrom is also a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and the Mark Messier Leadership Award.
Footnotes.
Left winger Max Pacioretty, who suffered a serious concussion and a fractured vertebra on a hit from Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara on March 8, re-signed with the Canadiens, agreeing to a two-year deal.
• The Flames re-signed backup goaltender Henrik Karlsson to a two-year contract worth $1.725 million.
• The Blue Jackets signed defenseman Nick Holden to a one-year contract.
The Associated Press
