Swedish Finish: Red Wings' Captain Retires

It was a half-decade that felt too short.

But after six seasons as team captain, and twenty seasons as a professional, Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom has announced his retirement this morning.

Nicklas Lidstrom with the Stanley Cup in 2008 (Getty Images)

We knew it was coming. The last two or three years have had whispers that "maybe this is the year"; whispers which were never significant, always put out, and forever rejoiced over in Hockeytown. But when the rumors began after the Red Wings were eliminated in the playoff's first round, there was a different feel. There was a sense that Lidstrom might call it a career, placed against hopes that he had one more championship in his future.

Not that we are complaining--he did win four Stanley Cup championships with Detroit.
And a few Norris trophies as NHL's best defensemen to boot.

But this is yet another goodbye to another legend in Detroit. The Wings have had to do this before--but that never makes it easy. Most recently was the man Lidstrom replaced as captain in 2006--Steve Yzerman, wearing his legendary #19, and referred to across hockey simply as "The Captain." Detroit also said goodbye to a legend behind the bench in 2002, as Coach Scotty Bowman, arguably the greatest hockey coach of all-time, bid adieu to Detroit with the words "It's time for me to go."

And so ends another Swedish legend for Detroit. Lidstrom's departure is saddening, yet no one supporting the red and white jersey would ever ask Nick to stay if he knew it was time.

A bitter-Swede ending for Hockeytown's captain.