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Trotz to Lidstrom: “Please don’t retire”

Nicklas Lidstrom

Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom, of Sweden, watches the Nashville Predators celebrate after the Predators won Game 5 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoff series on Friday, April 20, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 2-1 to win the series 4-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

AP

Red Wings fans might still be sore about seeing their team ousted in the first round by the Nashville Predators, but they might have a reason to love Preds coach Barry Trotz.

During the Red Wings pack up day at Joe Louis Arena, team captain Nicklas Lidstrom met with the media and confirmed a story that was rumored to be true after the game and handshakes ended. When it came time for Lidstrom to shake hands with the Predators coach, Trotz shook hands with Lidstrom and said, “Please don’t retire.”

Lidstrom’s career as one of the best defensemen in NHL history means a lot to many people and seeing a guy put in his time the way he does catches everyone’s eye, especially a coach who’s been trying to find ways to shut him down for years.

Of course, Lidstrom has yet to decide if he’ll return next season or not but you’d have to think with the Winter Classic on its way to Detroit and a first-round playoff exit he’ll have the itch to give it one more go. Barry Trotz just better be careful about what he wishes for. Lidstrom says he’ll likely make that decision before the Wings hit free agency on July 1.