It’s this mobility and his ability to move the puck across the blue line backwards which allows him to change the point of attack and change the launch site for the puck. So instead of shooting when he gets the puck over by the left boards, he will walk it more to the middle of the ice and in doing that he gives himself a better angle and also doubles the degree of difficulty for opposing forwards who are trying to stay in the shooting lane. All of this is why Lidstrom is the best defenseman ever at getting shots through from the point and not having them blocked.

Also he will never look down at the puck when he is in his shooting motion. Not even if he is letting go of a slap shot. He is constantly aware of what his options are because he never looks down at the puck.

Evolution of a superstar
Lidstrom was not an overnight sensation in the NHL. No one saw his greatness coming when he entered the league or he would have gone higher in the 1989 draft than 53rd overall, selected by the Red Wings in the third round. His reliance on brains rather than brawn didn’t get anyone excited over his prospects to become a star in the NHL.

His first NHL season was 1991-92 but it took a while until Detroit realized what kind of potential he possessed and it took a while for Lidstrom to start developing that potential. He played in his first All-Star game in 1996 and his play gained more recognition when he won the first of his four Stanley Cups with Red Wings in 1997. He claimed his first Norris Trophy in 2001 and took home the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2002. He turned 38 this year but his game is as good as ever.

It would be naïve to believe Lidstrom would have been able to achieve all that he has if he had not played for a great Detroit organization that surrounded him with teammates who brought a lot of talent to the ice. It’s hard to be a great player on an average team and it’s almost impossible to be a great player on a below-average team. So Lidstrom gained much from the Red Wings affording him the opportunity to achieve his greatness while surrounded by good and in more than a few cases great players. But that works as a two-way street. The great players Lidstrom has played with — mega stars such as Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg — also benefited greatly from having him as a teammate. They helped one another achieve greatness and the Red Wings win championships.

MORE FROM CENTRAL (CHI, COLM, DET, NASH, ST. L)

Clement: No repeat for the Red Wings

Clement: No repeat for the Red Wings Opinion: Red Wings indeed 'defending' champions Winter Classic a return to childhood for players Clement: Lidstrom a true gem of a defenseman   Vote: Who will win division?   Add Central (Chi, Colm, Det, Nash, St. L) headlines to your news reader: