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Can the 'Perfect Human' be Detroit's perfect VP of Operations? |
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Even when Steve Yzerman was perhaps the NHL’s most respected captain, he still leaned on teammate Nicklas Lidstrom for advice and wisdom.
“He was a tremendous voice of reason for me,” Yzerman recalled.
That’s why it makes perfect sense for Lidstrom to join Detroit Red Wings’ general manager Yzerman’s managerial cabinet as the team’s vice president of hockey operations. Two men rich with hockey knowledge putting their heads together for the benefit of a single team.
“For me it was a very easy decision and a great opportunity,” Yzerman said. “I know Nick will add tremendous value to our organization.”
Yzerman has put the Red Wings on the path for a patient rebuild. He is renovating this team through the draft. It’s a slow cooker approach. Yzerman isn’t trying to microwave success. Who better to work with him than Lidstrom, a player known for poise and patience.
Lidstrom spent the first nine seasons in the NHL mastering the position of defenseman. Then, he won seven Norris Trophies after the age of 30. Lidstrom was 40 when he won his last one.
Yzerman and Lidstrom are of one mind when it comes to their approach to hockey. They played only for the Red Wings during their lengthy careers. They were both known as smart players, among the best at their positions and were respected for their class and dignity.
It will be fun for Detroit fans to see them together again trying to win a Stanley Cup a different way.
“ I’m super-excited to be back with the Wings,” Lidstrom said. “Steve and I had discussions over the last month or so about joining the team again. It’s been on my mind, too, to be honest for a little bit of time. I wanted to get involved with hockey again and especially with the Wings. When the opportunity presented itself I thought it was good timing for me and my family to join the Wings again.”
Lidstrom will still live in Sweden. Yzerman will leave it up to him to see how much time he feels he needs to spend in Detroit.
“He’ll be involved in all aspects of hockey operations,” Yzerman said.
The uniqueness of Yzerman’s and Lidstrom’s knowledge blending together for the good of the Red Wings can’t be overstated. There are two of the top three players in Red Wings history making decisions together.
For Lidstrom, this job can be whatever he wants it to be. It sounds like Yzerman plans to allow Lidstrom to dictate where he wants an impact.
If Lidstrom wants to come to town and talk to Moritz Seider about running a power play, I’m sure he has a license to do that. Bet coach Jeff Blashill would love to have him work with the power play unit.
For sure, Lidstrom will spend plenty of time evaluating Detroit’s European prospects. You can also count on Lidstrom getting to know all of the Swedish prospects.
Said Lidstrom: “I’m looking forward to seeing the development of players like Simon Edvinsson or Albert Johansson, players we have drafted that are playing in the Swedish Elite League, to see them make progress. But at the same time I want to see the Red Wings make progress as well, so I’m looking forward to a lot of different aspects of this game.”
Lidstrom isn’t quite sure yet how he sees this new role developing.
“I just kind of want to get my feet wet here,” Lidstrom said, “ and get to know the organization a little bit more. We’ll see where that leads me.
When Lidstrom played for the Red Wings, some of his teammates calling him the “Perfect Human.” Chris Osgood and Kris Draper, in particular, liked to joke about it. The nickname worked because Lidstrom always did everything right on the ice.
On the Zoom call to announce Lidstrom’s new role, Yzerman was asked whether Lidstrom’s title should be “The Perfect VP of Operations.”
“That remains to be seen,” Yzerman said. “He had to earn the other one. He just wasn’t given it as the perfect human being, now he’s got to earn the other one. I’m sure he will.”
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