Confirmed: Lidstrom Signs 1-Year, $6.2M Deal with Detroit

Booth Newspapers and MLive.com are now reporting that Nicklas Lidstrom has signed for $6.2 Million with the Detroit Red Wings. This is the lowest number we've heard on the rumor mill thus far today, and sources seem to believe this is the actual confirmed amount that Lidstrom has agreed to. (UPDATE: At this time, it has now been confirmed completely)

If this is the case, the Red Wings captain has agreed to a pay cut of $1.25 Million. This, along with the reported $2 Million Salary Cap increase coming for next season, gives the Wings an extra $3.25 Million to play with for signings. In other words: don't worry about where we'll get the money to pay Jiri Hudler for his return, it's already taken care of.

There were a lot of reports floating around about how much Nick would sign more, and I felt around $6 Million was very reasonable. Some reports were suggesting $7 Million. Really? Would it even have been worth the effort to shave off $450,000? I'm pleased with the $6.2 million and thrilled that Lids is sticking around for at least another year.

Now Red Wings Nation can get back to worrying about the REST of the lineup!

Sources: Lidstrom Slated to Return

Per info that has come down from Booth Newspapers, the Wings Captain Nicklas Lidstrom has decided to return. The 40 year old Lidstrom reportedly will sign a one-year contract; however, the exact amount of the deal has yet to be disclosed. A number that is being tossed around currently is $6 million, but we will have to wait for the official news from the team to know for sure. We will certainly keep you updated throughout the day as information comes in here at The Datsyukian Geek, but the biggest question has been answered: Nick Lidstrom is coming back.

Oh Captain, My Captain...Yzerman Set to Sail New Waters as Bolts GM

He entered the franchise in 1983. He has three Stanley Cup rings as a player and one in management. But most importantly of all, he came to a team down on its luck and brought about a miracle. That miracle was called 'Hockeytown', and now it is with a sad-but-grudgingly-hopeful heart that I write here today on the confirmation of Steve Yzerman as the new General Manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning. It is official: Stevie Y is saying goodbye to Hockeytown.

For Now.

In the previous days, there were many reports that Yzerman had turned down the offer to GM for the Bolts, but nothing concrete had ever surfaced to say that Steve was ever truly out of the picture. Tampa is scheduled to formally announce Yzerman's hiring at a press conference to be held just three hours from now, at 3PM EST. More recent reports that have come out since the confirmation are hinting at the idea that Steve could end up becoming the highest paid GM in the NHL. If that's the case, let's look at just some of what the Lightning are buying into:

- Steve had a brilliant career marked with success, both individually and with the Red Wings as a team, bringing Detroit to the postseason year after year, and leading them to 3 Stanley Cups.

- He has sat in the front office with Detroit since his hanging up of the skates, and has had the opportunity to watch the best GM in the league, Ken Holland, work his magic and likely pick up a few of Kenny's tricks as well as some of his savvy.

- Steve is an icon of the game, who will bring a lot of credibility to Tampa in a very short amount of time. This is something the Bolts fanbase should be going crazy over with excitement.

- Most recently Yzerman GM'd the Gold Medal-winning Canadian Olympic team in Vancouver, proving in no uncertain terms that he's ready for a spot like this.

As much as it hurts, and trust me it does, I obviously wish Steve nothing but happiness and success in his venture with Tampa. I only hope that our paths are meant to cross again, because the Red Wings will just not be the same without Steve Yzerman somewhere in the mix.

I will miss you Captain, and we all will always love you and what you did for us here in Detroit.

Thank you.

WANTED: Backbone for IIHF, Sorely Needed

See this? This is Dats. This is Dats fishing. If Dats is fishing, he's not playing hockey. Know how I know this pic isn't recent? Because Dats is playing hockey. But WAIT, weren't the Red Wings eliminated from the NHL Playoffs? Why yes they were. So what black-market, underground illicit organization is Dats playing in if not the NHL? Oh right, there IS that whole, y'know, WORLD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP thing going on.

That's right, Pavel Datsyuk hasn't had enough hockey yet this year, and is currently heading into the semifinals with his Russian comrades after eliminating Team Canada from the tournament. But HOW can that BE? How could they beat good ol' Sid the K-oh wait, he declined to go. Right.

Now I'm as loathe as any Wings fan to give Sidney Crosby credit for...well, anything; however, it's hard for me to believe that a YOUNG MAN who is paid to play hockey year in and year out is suddenly too tired to play. What happens to poor Cindy if the Pens happened to win Game 7 against Montreal? Is Crybaby too tired to play against Philly in round 3? No, Sidney Crosby declined the invite to the WHC because going there, even winning there, would do nothing for him. It's not worth his time to go and even attempt to aid his fellow countrymen on the international stage, which now could be considered one of the key factors in why Canada has taken an early exit from the IIHF tourney.

And speaking of the IIHF, I had been ready to write a blog post congratulating them on calling the little snot out. Unfortunately, I can not post anything from the letter that was issued calling out many players who opted out of the tournament, as the IIHF has stripped their site of the letter and has now gone from scolding these young players for having better things to do than represent their countries, to getting down on their knees and begging for forgiveness!! Just recently, the IIHF President Rene Fasel issued a statement that he has apologized directly to Sidney Crosby's agent and also produced a blanket I-sort-of-apologize statement to the other players.

My question is: WHY?

Let me get this part straight with all of you first: Of the players that were named, unfortunately Henrik Zetterberg was among them. Now I love Hank as much as any Red Wings fan living, but I still have to say I'm disappointed that Z would turn his country down. I will, however, note that Henrik's decision to sit was so lacking fanfare that for the longest time I didn't even know he'd been invited yet, let alone had a chance to decline!! To me, any of these players refusing to at least go and be part of the team sends a horrible message to kids that they don't have to worry about international play, that it's insignificant in the grand spectrum. One thing Fasel said that I agree with is that for these young men to turn down this offer is not only turning your back on the team and its players, but turning your back on the hockey programs that made you into what you are. That is why I'm disappointed in Hank's decision to sit. That is why I have no remorse for Sidney Crosby and anything ill said of him. That is why I love my man Dats for simply putting the game before the fame.

Too bad Dats won't get the respect deserved for his choice, because Sidney Crosby has just proved to the world that if you cry hard enough, you can make anyone apologize to you.