NICKLAS LIDSTROM

The Detroit Red Wings have some talented young defensemen in their organization, including a pair of potential stars in former No. “I’ll be part of overseeing the defense, looking at things that can help them improve, (provide) small tips for them to become better players,” Lidstrom said. And obviously Nick will bring that type of perspective.”The Red Wings will benefit from having Lidstrom provide guidance to their top defense prospects at a young age. “Looking at how hard it is to sign free agents with the salary cap, finding players and developing players is key,” Lidstrom said. “Looking at the team we have on the ice right now, we have two young players that have stepped in and made contributions right away.

Nicklas Lidstrom is back in the mix. He’s part of the Yzerplan. He’s catching the Yzer ... plane.

Logan Couture scored in overtime moments after a fan threw a fake octopus on the ice and the San Jose Sharks beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-2.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has no doubt Lidstrom will be a perfect resource for the organization as its new vice president of hockey operations. “I wanted to get involved with hockey again and especially with the Wings,” Lidstrom said. I’m sure he will.”Lidstrom had done a little scouting for the Red Wings in Sweden. “Our job ultimately is watching hockey, whether it’s the Detroit Red Wings, Grand Rapids Griffins, pro hockey in North America or Europe, amateur hockey,” Yzerman said. I’m just happy I’m stepping in with the Wings again and being involved again.”More: Nicklas Lidstrom returns to Red Wings in prominent front-office role

The new Detroit Red Wings vice president of hockey operations is an old favorite: Nicklas Lidstrom.

The Detroit Red Wings have added more star power to their front office. The club announced on Tuesday that Nicklas Lidstrom has been hired as vice president of hockey operations. Lidstrom, 51, will be involved in all aspects of hockey operations for the Red Wings. Lidstrom succeeded Steve Yzerman as captain in 2006 and served in that capacity for six seasons until his retirement. Lidstrom ranks second in franchise history in games played (1,564), third in assists (878), fourth in points (1,142) and first in plus-minus rating (plus-450).

Ondrej Palat scored with 2:17 left in overtime, lifting the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 7-6 comeback win over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.

Detroit increased its playoff streak to 22 seasons, the longest active streak at the time.

Chris Osgood won three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings -- 1997, 1998 and 2008. He also tended goal for the 2009 Red Wings team that lost in the Final to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It turns out, Mike Babcock’s mental games were enough to crush the 40-year-old Modano near the end of the 2010-11 season.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JUNE 14: Niklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates a Stanley Cup victory with his son and the Conn Smythe Trophy on June 14, 2002 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images)Adam Lidstrom is clearly Nicklas Lidstrom’s son -- there is no doubt about it. Adam, now 25 years old, posted a new photo to Instagram this week -- wow:Uncanny! Adam is playing hockey with Enköpings SK in Sweden. He has 13 points in 28 games this season.

Steve Yzerman knew Dylan Larkin well as a player and heard good things about him as a person but wanted to take some time before deciding whether he should be the next Detroit Red Wings captain. “He’s a really good person. The Red Wings had only alternate captains, of which Larkin was one, the past two seasons. “He’s extremely proud to be a part of the Red Wings organization and has a burning desire to be successful here.”Yzerman said there is no cookie-cutter design for a captain. So, I hope the protocol police will accept that.”More: 10 questions Red Wings face heading into 2021 season

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 14: Dylan Larkin #71 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on January 14, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)DETROIT – It’s official: Dylan Larkin is the captain of the Detroit Red Wings. Larkin, 24, becomes the 37th captain in Red Wings franchise history. Dylan Larkin has been named the 37th captain in Detroit Red Wings franchise history. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/l05lknUP6B — Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 13, 2021Read more: Red Wings release 2020-21 roster; 6 players on taxi squad

While many Red Wings fans won't be surprised, and perhaps even relieved by Kronwall's decision to retire, let's not forget he was a huge part of a very good Red Wings team between 2006 and 2012. Without Kronwall, the Red Wings probably don't have the depth to go to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals in 2008-09. Kronwall was the ultimate Red Wings' sleeper draft pick out of Sweden. He played a total 953 career NHL games (83 goals, 349 assists) and another 109 playoff games (5 goals, 42 assists). So if Zetterberg's retirement felt like the end to that team, well then here's the real, official, end.