On The First Day of Christmas, Ken Holland Gave To Me

by Amerinadian on Dec 13, 2011 1:04 PM CST in 12 Days of Wingsmas

Over the next 12 days, we here at WIIM are going to be bringing you the 12 Days of Christmas, only we'll be putting a Red Wing spin on things. Starting today and for the next 12 days, check back for a new reason to be proud to be a Wing fan. So without further ado:

On the first day of Christmas, Ken Holland gave to me

The Perfect Human Nicklas Lidstrom

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Wow, JGraham....

What great videos!

I swelled with pride just watching them knowing that he was drafted by, and will play, his entire career in the Winged Wheel (well except when for Sweden)…one and only TPH for sure.

It’s great being a Red Wings fan!

by wingsluver4ever on Dec 13, 2011 2:15 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Watching his career highlights is just awe-inspiring. It’s especially amazing to look and see how little his demeanor, skating style, and even his face has hardly changed spanning across what could be considered three separate eras of hockey.

by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 13, 2011 2:24 PM CST up reply actions

JJ, Stick taps to you!

for finding the videos…

And your right, he’s also ageless…must be the Winged Wheel – look at Ozzie and Cheli who don’t look their ages either.

by wingsluver4ever on Dec 13, 2011 3:01 PM CST up reply actions

All credit to JJ

He’s the one who found them.

And if anyone can’t watch these videos and get a goosebumps, they’re not a true fan.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Dec 13, 2011 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

I'm completely covered in goosebumps; and even my goosebumps have goosebumps.

by SlapshotGoal on Dec 13, 2011 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

Epic

Is the only word to describe his career.

by Hornecker on Dec 13, 2011 2:30 PM CST reply actions

Way better than a partridge in a pear tree.

I hate Jonathon Ericsson.

by Brion on Dec 13, 2011 2:58 PM CST reply actions 2 recs

Lidstrom, Orr, and Harvey

Are the best defensemen to ever play the game. You can put them in any order and have a good argument as to why.

by EuroCap on Dec 13, 2011 3:54 PM CST reply actions

Awesome

I just wish those videos had more one-armed poke checks.

by nosnst on Dec 13, 2011 4:46 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Wait, wait, wait

I think @ 4:30 mark of that video that he actually fell down – I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before – I just realized it. Sometimes he dives – like bailing out Dom against the Sharkies, but he fell down – it was a partial trip….but I honestly don’t ever remember seeing him do that before…..wow.

by Kendal on Dec 13, 2011 5:04 PM CST reply actions

Jonathan Towes quote from training camp 2010...

…when asked about Lidstrom:

“It will be a great day for me when that guy retires!”

When pressed to explain he went on:

“He doesn’t beat you up, he doesn’t yap in your ear, he doesn’t blow by you with speed. He just doesn’t let you have the puck. It’s not as much fun when the other guy has the puck all the time. Kinda like when you are a little kid and the older kids at the rink are playing keep-away. Mentally wears you out.”

One of the many reasons he is my all-time favorite professional athlete, in any sport.

by Coyotepedro on Dec 13, 2011 5:16 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Sigh...

It’s already making me sorrowful.
The day is coming…
There will never be another number 5.
Thanks for these videos.
We’re into the season, what will be THE season, and, while it’s not getting any easier, it is nice to celebrate St. Nick’s gracious contribution to the game. To our team.

"I'll smile in June."

by Lords of Olympia on Dec 13, 2011 5:26 PM CST reply actions

Agreed.....

Those videos are absolutely breath taking, but watching “young” TPH and “now” TPH in the same video just reminds me how bad it will fucking hurt my soul when the inevitable finally happens. I always try to stay positive about it, but it’s gonna be at least as bad as Stevie. Cuz when Steve hung em up, we still had Nick. Grrrrrrrr, think happy thoughts! Euro Twins, Kronner, Jimmaaahhhhh!!!!

by BLOOD RED on Dec 14, 2011 2:57 AM CST up reply actions

still remember the feeling

I had when Stevie Y & Scottie Bowman retired. I was in a funk for a couple of months. Who was going to lead the Wings on the ice? Who was going to guide the Wings from the bench? Talk about an end of an era. We all know TPH isn’t going to play forever despite all of us wanting him to. Who does the baton get passed to? Like Blood Red stated, at least when Stevie retired, we still had Nick.

Here’s another question possibly without an answer in waiting. Who will wear the “C”? Who amongst the current roster of Red Wings is “qualified” to wear the C as Nick has and how Stevie did before him? Honestly, no one on the current roster jumps out at me and says “I will!” I must admit I was a smidgen surprised when Nick assumed the C, but after thinking about it, Nick and Stevie have similar styles in so far as leading the locker room so after about five games into the next season, I was no longer apprehensive with the issue. Except for now that is. LOL! One other possible option is to clone Nick and then he would be able to spend much deserved time with his family while still leading our beloved Red Wings to victory on the way to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Want to say thank you to JJ for doing one helluva job posting those videos! (bowing) Hard to believe so much time has passed since Nick was drafted, Zetterberg was drafted, and Datsyuk was drafted. Where the hell does all this time go so quickly? Swear to god it sometimes feels like I’m on a steep slope and I’m trying to walk upwards and the ground is nothing but grease.

One last thought…what do we do when Holmstrom retires? Who is going to take his place in front of opposing netminders? I know we have people currently who position themselves to tip passes and shots but seriously, who really ever could do Homer’s job exactly as he does it?

"If we knew what the outcome would be it wouldn't be called hindsight."

by wjr on Dec 14, 2011 2:45 PM CST reply actions