Nicklas Lidstrom played his entire NHL career with only one team – the Detroit Red Wings, since being picked by them in the 1989 NHL draft. Nearly 23 years later, and the Swedish Defenceman decided that 20 seasons and 1564 games were enough, and he hung the skates and his hockey stick.

Maybe the greatest defense player in NHL history and definitely over the last 25 years, Lidstrom won’t soon be forgotten, especially not by Red Wings fans, be it for his accomplishments and for his personality and leadership/presence on the ice. Saying goodbye to your idols, heroes, is extremely difficult. A Red Wings fan chose to simply list his stats and numbers a his way of saying goodbye. We thought it was the best way too.

The 53rd pick in the 1989 draft; won the 1991 World Championship with Sweden; 1992 all-rookie team; 12 time NHL All-Star; 10 time first NHL all-star team member; four time Stanley Cup Champion; first European to win the Norris Trophy, winning it seven times in total.

First European to win the Cone Smythe trophy for best playoff performance; first European Captain to win the Stanley Cup; Olympic Gold Medalist; Most ever wins played in; The Longest career with just one team; 6th on the all-time list in points among defense players; second among defense players in playoff points.

Pretty good. Pretty hard to put behind. Pretty impossible to replace.