He’s been the cornerstone of the best NHL franchise over the last two decades. He’s won the Norris Trophy six times. To win six of anything you clearly have to be good.

Or just painfully maddeningly consistently great. And for a defenseman this doesn’t mean putting up lots of goals or doing triple dekes. This means applying pressure, moving the puck, and anchoring the power play. Lidstrom, however, does none of these things. He’s never been known for being physical. He doesn’t even have a cool Swedish accent, he speak perfect Midwest English.

It’s possible for defenseman to be exciting, if they have a big slapshot like Ray Bourque, throw their bodies around like Scott Stevens, or happen to be seven feet tall like Zdeno Chara.

Nick Lidstrom is a leader and plays the game right and all that stuff white people tell their kids to do but don’t actually like watching. Awesome.