Nicklas Lidstrom discusses significance of NHL Global Series, Red Wings’ Swedish connection

STOCKHOLM --- Nicklas Lidstrom created countless memories throughout his 20-year Hall of Fame career as a defenseman with the Detroit Red Wings. But playing at the 2009 NHL Global Series in Sweden remains a special memory for the club’s current Vice President of Hockey Operations.

Speaking to the media alongside fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Daniel Alfredsson at Avicii Arena prior to Thursday’s game against Ottawa, Lidstrom said having NHL games in Sweden is a rewarding opportunity for everyone involved.

“I remember being a player coming here in 2009,” said Lidstrom, who is from Avesta, Sweden. “And being so thrilled about playing in front of Swedish fans, showing them NHL games and the Red Wings. Now we have four teams here, they’re playing real games and real points are at stake. The games are important. It's great for the league and its exposure to have NHL games shown over here in Sweden.”

Six Swedish-born players (Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, Tomas Holmstrom, Niklas Kronwall, Johan Franzen and Jonathan Ericsson) were in the Red Wings’ lineup for the 2009 Global Series.

While Gothenburg native Lucas Raymond is the lone Swede on Detroit’s 2023-24 roster, Lidstrom said the organization has several highly regarded Swedish prospects “who are still young and taking strides developing.”

“If you look at our history, we’ve had a lot of Swedes over the years and success with a lot of Swedes too,” Lidstrom said. “It could be by accident, I’m not sure. But we’ve had a great scout, Hakan Andersson, finding players late in rounds.”

Primarily based in Sweden, Lidstrom is amidst his third season in the Red Wings’ front office. The 53-year-old rejoined the organization in 2022.

“What I’ve enjoyed most is being on the inside again,” Lidstrom said. “You know what’s going on. You’re looking at, developing and scouting players. You’re part of the team again.”

Lidstrom said he is encouraged by the direction of the Red Wings, who enter Friday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs with an 8-5-3 (19 points) overall record.

“I think we’re challenging to be a playoff team again,” Lidstrom said. “We’re a better team than last year. I think we have more skill on the team and we’re taking steps to become a better team. Steve (Yzerman) has a lot of patience. He did a tremendous job down in Tampa and I think you see a lot of similarities of what he’s trying to do here with the Wings.”