Former Red Wings captains Steve Yzerman and  Nicklas Lidstrom have made NHL.com’s list of ‘Top 10 Captains in NHL History.’

Yzerman, who captained Detroit from1986-2005, ranked No. 2.

2. Steve Yzerman

Yzerman had established himself as one of the NHL’s great offensive players by the time theDetroit Red Wings named him captain in 1986 at the age of 21 — at the time, the youngest player in NHL history to wear the “C.” He scored at least 100 points in six straight seasons from 1987-93 — but the Red Wings’ success did not match his own until the arrival of Scotty Bowman as coach in 1993.

Bowman convinced Yzerman there was more to success than putting up points, and he became one of the great two-way players and leaders in NHL history. He put all doubts about his leadership ability to rest when Detroit ended a 42-year championship drought by winning the Stanley Cup in 1997 and repeating in ’98. He played through a painful knee injury to help the Red Wings win again in 2002.

Yzerman’s 19 seasons and 1,303 games wearing the “C” are the most of any player in NHL history.

Lidstrom, who followed Yzerman and held the title of captain from 2006 until his retirement this past offseason, ranked No. 5.

5. Nicklas Lidstrom

Steve Yzerman was a hard act to follow in Detroit, where he wore the “C” for two decades and was one of the cornerstones in the Red Wings’ rise to perennial contender and three-time Stanley Cup winner during a five-year span.

But Lidstrom put his own stamp on the Red Wings when he took over the captaincy following Yzerman’s retirement in 2006. Having earned three Cups from 1997-2002, Lidstrom became the first European-born captain to lead his team to a championship when the Red Wings won in 2008. They came up one win short of another title in ’09 despite Lidstrom’s 16 points in 21 playoff games.

Lidstrom led by example (he won the Norris Trophy seven times) and by demeanor (his nickname is the Perfect Human). He announced his retirement this summer after a career that will soon earn him a berth in the Hall of Fame.

Congrats to Stevie Y and Nick on the honor!

The Nicklas Lidstrom Era has come to an end in Hockeytown.

The long-standing captain of the Detroit Red Wings announced his retirement from the NHL on Thursday at Joe Louis Arena.

“I’ve been dreading this day since I became manager in 1997,” said Red Wings general manager Ken Holland.

“It’s one of the most emotional days in Red Wings history with Nick retiring and all you people showing your respect for such a high-quality individual,” said Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch.

Lidstrom, 42, said that he didn’t have what it takes physically to play at the high level that he wanted to play at.

“My drive and motivation are not where to need to be to play at this level,” Lidstrom said.

Lidstrom will go down in history as one of the greatest Detroit Red Wings and one of the greatest defense men in the history of the game.

He sports a Hall-of-Fame resume with four Stanley Cups, seven Norris Trophies, 12 All-Star appearances and a Conn Smythe Trophy among other numerous accomplishments.

“Retiring today allows me to walk away with pride, rather than have the game walk away from me,” Lidstrom said.

It is an emotional day for Red Wings fans everywhere and I’d like to thank Nick for such an amazing 20 seasons. Not only was he one of the best players to wear the winged wheel, but he was such a class-act on and off the ice.

Thank you, captain.

Red Wings fans hold your collective breaths. Tomorrow morning we will find out whether or not our captain will retire or return for another season.

The Wings have scheduled a news conference with Nicklas Lidstrom and general manager Ken Holland at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Joe Louis Arena.

While the specifics of what will be discussed weren’t mentioned, it’s nearly certain that we will learn whether or not Lidstrom will lace up his skates for his 21st season.

Photo: Detroit News

As the Detroit Red Wings vie for their 19th straight victory at home tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, it will be an historic night for captain Nicklas Lidstrom and Tomas Holmstrom.

Holmstrom is set to play in his 1,000 career game with the Wings. He becomes just the sixth player to play for 1,000 or more games for the Red Wings.

• Gordie Howe (1,687)
• Alex Delvecchio (1,549)
• Nicklas Lidstrom (1,548)
• Steve Yzerman (1,514)
• Kris Draper (1,137)

Lidstrom is slated to tie Alex Delvecchio for second in team history with games played with 1,549.

“A real nice night for both of them,” said coach Mike Babcock.

“I was bugging Tommy,” Babcock said. “He missed a game a while back just so he could go the same time as Nick. They doing everything together so why not do this together.

“Any time you do anything that ties Mr. Delvecchio that is a special, special thing. I don’t know if Nick wants to stay around long enough to tie Gordie, but good for us and good for them.

“They’ve been very important parts of this team, and they still are with leadership from Nick and just the enthusiasm and drive that Holmer brings to the rink, each and every day.”

Danny Cleary Could Miss Next Three Games

Forward Danny Cleary will miss tonight’s game against the Anaheim Ducks and could miss the next three games with a knee injury. Cleary had excess fluid removed from a cyst behind his knee and also had a cortisone shot, but he told Detroit media that he needs about a week to recover from the procedure.

“It’s feeling much better,” Cleary said.

Jan Mursak will take his place in the line-up tonight.

Jimmy Howard Ready to Start taking Shots on Saturday

Goaltender Jimmy Howard continues to rehab from a broken right index finger he suffered last Saturday against Edmonton. Howard, who has missed the last three games, will be out again tonight (Joey MacDonald will get the start), but he says that on Saturday he will begin taking shots for the first time since the injury.

“Tomorrow,” Howard said. “That’s a big test. Hopefully, tomorrow, I can take a big step in the right direction.”

NHL 36: Nicklas Lidstrom will air on NBC Sports Network at 6:30 p.m. prior to the start of Red Wings-Canadiens at 7:30 p.m.

It’s all about the Detroit Red Wings on NBC Sports Network on Wednesday.

The Wings travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens in their final game before the All Star Break, which begins Thursday. The game will air on NBC Sports Network with the puck set to drop at 7:30 p.m.

Prior to the start of that game, NBC Sports will air a new episode of NHL 36 featuring Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom at 6:30 p.m. The program will run for 30 minutes and lead into the start of Detroit’s final game before the All Star Break.

A camera crew followed Lidstrom around on Jan. 16 for 36 hours. He said it was a unique experience.

“It’s kind of a test having a camera crew follow you everywhere you go, in here (dressing room), in the training room – they didn’t go in the shower, that’s about it,” Lidstrom said, adding, with a chuckle, “Thank God.”

Lidstrom thinks fans will enjoy it.

“I think the fans will get a chance to see what we do every day, how we prepare for games,” Lidstrom said. “Not just me, but all the guys in the locker room, the meetings we have before games, everything that goes (into) preparing for the game.”

NHL 36: Lidstrom will re-air on the NBC Sports Network multiple times including Thursday, Jan. 26 at 5:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 27 at 9 a.m. and Sunday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m.

It also will air on NHL Network on Friday, Jan. 27 at 12 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4 at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m.

Check out a preview here.

Nicklas Lidstrom won his seventh Norris Trophy on Wednesday night at the NHL Awards.

Nicklas Lidstrom should just change his middle name to Norris.

Lidstrom took home the Norris Trophy, for the league’s best defenseman, for the seventh time in his careeer, tying Montreal’s Doug Harvey. Only Bobby Orr has more with eight.

“An incredible feeling,” Lidstrom said of tying Harvey. “It (tying Orr) won’t be a goal of mine and it’s not something I will dwell on when the season starts. I’ll just prepare for the season the way I normally do. I know how difficult it is now, as you get older, to get ready for the season.”

In the closest Norris race since 1996, Lidstrom (736 points) beat out Nashville’s Shea Weber (727 points) by just nine points and Boston’s Zdeno Chara (688 points) was close behind in voting by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Lidstrom received 35 first-place votes, while Weber received 32 and Chara 33.

Pavel Datsyuk’s three-year winning streak of the Selke Trophy, awarded to the league’s top defensive forward, came to an end when Livonia native Ryan Kesler beat him and Chicago’s Jonathan Toews.

Lidstrom was also nominated for the Lady Byng, for sportsmanship, and the Mark Messier Award but lost out to Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis and Chara, respectively.

But, Lidstrom got the one award that really counted.

“It doesn’t get any easier,” Lidstrom said. “It does feel great, I have a lot of pride to be able to play at this level and I’m very proud to win this award. But, no, it doesn’t get any easier.”

Now, let’s look at the perfect scenario for 2011-12: Lidstrom winning his fifth Stanley Cup and eighth Norris Trophy as he retires on top.

Right where he belongs.

Lidstrom and Datsyuk will represent the Red Wings at the NHL Awards.

Happy NHL Awards day, Red Wings nation.

Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk are nominated for a combined four awards, with Lidstrom accounting for three of them.

Lidstrom is up for the Norris, awarded to the league’s best defenseman, the Lady Byng, for sportsmanship, and the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

Datsyuk is up for the Selke, which is awarded to the league’s best defensive forward.

Lidstrom is going for his seventh Norris Trophy, which would tie Doug Harvey. Bobby Orr is the only player to hold more with eight.

The Wings captain is up against Boston’s Zdeno Chara and Nashville’s Shea Weber.

“I never set out with the goal of being nominated or trying to win the Norris. I’ve always looked at it as being a bonus,” Lidstrom told the media. “I appreciate it even more as I get older, knowing how hard it is in the offseason.”

Lidstrom is also up for the Lady Byng, as he can become the first defenseman since Detroit’s Red Kelly in 1954 to win the honor, and the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

Pavel Datsyuk has called the Selke Trophy his for the last three years and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be his for a fourth consecutive year. The only thing going against him is the fact that he missed 26 games due to injury.

He can become the second player, joining Montreal’s Bob Gainey, to win the Selke in four consecutive seasons.

Datsyuk will be competing against Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler, a presumed frontrunner, and Chicago’s Jonathan Toews.

The NHL Awards air tonight at 7 p.m. on Versus.

Nicklas Lidstrom is coming back for his 20th season.

The wait is finally over.

The Detroit Red Wings and Nicklas Lidstrom agreed to a one-year contract extension on Monday morning, which will being the Wings captain back for his 20th season.

“We’re thrilled that Nick has decided to come back and play another year,” Holland said in a teleconference on Monday at 11 a.m. “He’s coming off an outstanding season and in my opinion, even at age 41, continues to be the top two-way defenseman in the world.”

The Wings captain spent the offseason contemplating the decision to return for another season due to the physical demands, among other things.

He will sign a one-year deal worth $6.2 million, which is the same salary he earned last season.

Last season, Lidstrom was second among NHL defensemen with 62 points (16 goals, 46 assists).

General Manager Ken Holland expected an answer no later than the start of the NHL Draft, which begins on Friday.

Lidstrom is nominated for three awards at the NHL Awards Show, which is Wednesday night in Las Vegas: The Norris (best defenseman), The Lady Byng (sportsmanship) and the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

Welcome back, Nick!

Ken Holland expects a decision from Nicklas Lidstrom around June 22.

Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom has an important decision to make this offseason.

So far this offseason, Lidstrom has remained mum on his future only stating that he has been thinking his options through.

Lidstrom appeared on the Jim Rome Show on Thursday, promoting the NHL Awards Show (he is up for the Norris, Lady Byng and Messier Leadership) and reiterated that he is still uncertain of his future with the Wings.

“I’m going to take my time and really consider what I want to do,” Lidstrom said.

For Lidstrom, motivation is key.

“It’s more motivation, committing to the offseason training,” Lidstrom said. “It’s very hard to get ready for a long year, and then you have the long season in itself.”

Ultimately, offseason training has begun to take a toll on the Wings captain.

“It is a little bit harder as you get older,” Lidstrom said. “You have to train even harder to stay at that level where you want to be.

“For myself, I have to train even harder to reach where I want to be able play at.”

General Manager Ken Holland told Lidstrom he needs a decision by July 1, which marks the beginning of free agency, but expects to have one around the time of the NHL Awards, which is on June 22. Lidstrom is set to leave for Sweden for the summer following the awards.

Detroit Red Wings captain and defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom is a finalist for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, along with Boston defenseman Zdeno Chara and Phoenix forward Shane Doan.

The award recognizes “an individual as a superior leader within their sport, and as a contributing member of society. The award is given to a player selected by Mark Messier to honor an individual who leads by positive example through on-ice performance, motivation of team members and a dedication to community activities and charitable causes.”

The winner will be announced at the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas on June 22, which will air on Versus at 7 p.m.

Lidstrom is a finalist for two other awards, the Norris Trophy (top defenseman) and the Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship).

Here’s the rundown from NHL.com:

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

Since being named the 18th captain in franchise history to begin the 2006-07 season, Chara has led the Bruins’ steady climb back to the NHL’s elite level and two Northeast Division crowns in the last three years. Despite being among the League’s top 10 in ice time in each of his five seasons as Bruins captain, he has missed a total of only 12 games. A Norris Trophy finalist for the fourth time this season, he won the award in 2008-09. A long-time supporter and contributor to Right to Play, the international program that uses sport to improve the lives of children from disadvantaged areas; Chara this past season also took over the Bruins’ PJ Drive, which collects unused pajamas for local children in need. And he helped bring in unprecedented contributions to the Boston Bruins Cuts for a Cause – including the $1,500 a local restaurant owner bid to shave Chara’s head.

Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes

The last remaining player from the franchise’s days in Winnipeg, Doan has served as Coyotes captain since 2003. In recent seasons, he has kept a young team focused upon achieving unprecedented success even amid uncertainty about the Club’s future in Arizona. The Coyotes have gone a combined 93-51-20 following Doan’s lead the past two seasons. In the Arizona community, Doan has long been considered one of the most selfless professional athletes in a city that is home to four major professional sports teams. He serves as an ambassador for Coyotes Charities and works with a number of organizations — including the United Blood Services, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix Rescue Mission, Flashes of Hope and Children First Academy, a kindergarten through eighth grade school for homeless children.

Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings

One of the greatest defensemen ever to play the position, Lidstrom is a finalist to win his seventh Norris Trophy. Having succeeded Steve Yzerman as Red Wings captain in 2006, he became the first European-born captain to hoist the Stanley Cup in 2007. He ranks fourth all-time on the franchise’s games-played and points lists – first in every major statistical category among defensemen. Lidstrom began this past season by meeting with military veterans at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and visiting Churchill Elementary School as part of the Wings’ Community Relations Tour. Lidstrom also appeared at a local school as part of the Detroit Red Wings Foundation school youth hockey program. He serves as the spokesman for the team’s Breast Cancer Awareness Night and annual trip to Children’s Hospital of Michigan. He was honored recently by the city in which he resides during the season, Novi, for his contributions to the community by re-naming the street outside the local arena to Nick Lidstrom Drive.

Previous winners of the Mark Messier Leadership Award:

2006-07 – Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings

2007-08 – Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs

2009-09 – Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames

2009-10 – Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins