Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom announced on a conference call Monday morning that he is going to return for his 20th season with the team. Lidstrom agreed to a one-year deal, and although the terms of the contract haven't been officially released, it has been reported that Lidstrom will make 6.2 million in 2011-12. That is the same salary Lidstrom had last season.
Explaining how he came to the decision to return, Lidstrom said he wanted to make sure he had the motivation to go through another offseason of training.
"I wanted to make sure I had the motivation and the commitment to work out for next season,'' Lidstrom said today during a conference call. "I wanted to make sure I'm motivated, still able to play at a high level at my age. I have to be motivated to play. You can't just show up and play 15-20 minutes a game.''
It's entirely possible 2011-12 could be Lidstrom's final decision, but he said he won't make a decision until this time next year. If he plays at as high a level as he did last season, it might be tough to walk away, especially if the Red Wings are still contenders for a Stanley Cup.
Either way, the good news is No. 5 will be patrolling the Red Wings' blue line for at least one more season.