If Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom is planning on retiring, he isn’t acting like it. At least, according to Mike Babcock’s wife.
The Red Wings head coach said his wife went to the gym and saw Lidstrom “working out like crazy,” not particularly a trait of someone who’s planning on retiring.
“I’ll give you a good report, right from my wife,‘’ Babcock said during Wednesday’s news conference announcing Brian Rafalski’s retirement. "She was at the gym yesterday and Nick was working out like crazy. She said his shirt was soaked, I was so excited to hear that, you have no idea.’’
Lidstrom has told general manager Ken Holland he will make a decision before the NHL Entry Draft that begins on June 24. After July 1, Lidstrom will become a free agent, but there is little hope for other teams if they think they’re going to land the 41-year-old Norris finalist.