What is there left for Nicklas Lidstrom to play for?

Question

Erasing all doubt about his ability to lead the Detroit Red Wings to Stanley Cup championship glory Wednesday night, Nick Lidstrom has done it all in his Hall of Fame-bound career (as if there was any doubt before). In addition to being a good leader, Lidstrom is arguably the greatest Swedish-born NHL player, the best defenseman of his generation (although Scott Niedermayer, Brian Leetch, Chris Pronger, and Rob Blake got more publicity), and has won everything he could possibly win as a player (save for the Hart and Ross trophies). If you were Nick Lidstrom, what is there left to do for you to accomplish in your playing career?

Answer 1

have fun, gosh

hes doing what he loves to do...

Answer 2

Nothing really,he's gotten everything you can think of for defensemen...

Answer 3

Legacy and Pride

Answer 4

There really is nothing else for him to accomplish.  But why retire now?  He's been blessed with good physical health and certainly has a bunch more productive years left in him.  

If he enjoys the sport, then why not continue to play?  This question should be forwared to Chris Chelios as I would love to hear his answer ;)

Answer 5

to do what he loves to do, and have fun with it. plus what trombass said.

thank u Mike!!! "sakic wont retire this summer"

Answer 6

I think a lot of his actions speak louder than words - he made a deal to extend his contract into what might be his retirement for much less money than you'd expect, just so he could stay a Red Wing.

That says several things to me - first, he loves hockey and wants to go on playing.  He's very fit, why not?  Second, he wants to stay in Detroit:   mentoring the young players must be a hugely rewarding part of the job, and he is going to want to make a good handover for the next captain.

I just don't see his career winding down yet, since he's so quiet and matter of fact in what he does.

Answer 7

I certainly don't think he has anything left to prove.  Personally, I would rank him as the best defenseman of his generation.  At this point I would think he is playing simply because he loves the game, much like all of us washed up beer leaguers.

Answer 8

Well there is winning the Cup next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.  No matter how much you do remember that the winning the Cup only gives it to you for that year.  Want to know why Lidstrom has done so much and is a future Hall of Famer?  Because he loves hockey, it doesn't matter how much he wins, he still loves to play and will keep playing.

Answer 9

Well if he's a part of this dynasty there will be no arguing who's the best Swedish player ever was.Why has Chelios stuck around?Same reason,the love of the game.

Answer 10

He should continue  for the sheer joy of being on the ice.

oh has he been in a plate throwing/breaking contest w/Chelios yet? Until then he can't retire ;)

Answer 11

If you truly love hockey mile stones mean nothing to you the only reason you're playing is because you love the game.

Answer 12

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ oh to accomplish not much i guess just being able to play knowing he has won it all and he can win another cup i guess

Answer 13

for the love of the game, the love of his teammates, and his love of the winged wheel. he truly is a class act.

Answer 14

More championships, money, love of the gm. Why hang em up when you got some yrs left. You only can play once.

Answer 15

well. another cup? im not sure. another norris? whatever he wants! hes just going to play until he cant anymore. just for the love of the game now!

Answer 16

It's for the heart and soul for the sport of hockey.  Period.

Answer 17

To continue making his team a winner. Playing for pride, love for the game, the continued development of the players coming up in the team. He is clearly already a legend, and it only builds as the seasons move on. As long as he can play, and keep playing at the level he does, everyone that plays with him, should become better by following his lead. No real Captain, would leave his team, because he accomplished his goals. He is a team guy, and his team follows him, and you never want to be looked at as someone who quit playing too soon.

Answer 18

another stanley cup these people are competitors

Answer 19

Tie Bobby Orr's record of eight Norris trophies.

Answer 20

Well, he's still a good defenseman. I don't think he'll retire. He still has another Stanley Cup to play for, lol. It's kind of weird that Sakic and Lidstrom are pretty much the same age, yet everyone is talking about Sakic retiring, and not Lidstrom. Sakic won't retire this summer people.

Answer 21

I would just try to win one more cup before my retirement.

Answer 22

uh play the love of the game like 98 % of all the players.

it aint like he's slipping or anything.

Answer 23

If you could still play, sill have to passion to play, your fan's loved you, your teammates admire and respect you, you don't have a beef with your organization, your family's happy and healthy...wouldn't you stick around.

Lindstrom has been my favorite player for a solid 10 or 11 years, since I became a hockey fan.  He was the most underrated defense men in the NHL for a long time (despite norris trophy's and all star games.  

He's been a " media super-star" in Detroit/Michigan for years but he's only been an NHL "media super-star" for a handful of his years in the league.

Why not stick around?

Answer 24

Solidify the dynasty in Detroit

Answer 25

Love of the game.