Lidstrom Agrees to One Year Deal with Red Wings

Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom has agreed to a one-year deal with the Red Wings, remaining with the team for a 20th season.

Lidstrom and general manager Ken Holland announced the deal via conference call from Las Vegas. The two are there for the NHL Awards, where Lidstrom is nominated for the Norris and Lady Byng Trophies.

“I wanted to make sure I was ready. I’m very happy to be back for my 20th season for the Wings,” Lidstrom said of the decision.

The Wings have already lost blueliner Brian Rafalski to retirement this summer. “If we’d have lost both, it would have been devastating. These guys are special players,” Holland said.

Lidstrom’s deal is reportedly worth $6.2 million, the same amount he made last season.

With the NHL’s salary cap expected to reach $62 million, the Red Wings now have almost $14 million to sign two defensemen, two forwards and a backup goalie.