Lidstrom looks likely to be voted into Hall of Fame

Nicklas Lidstrom cherished just being on the ice. The seven Norris Trophies as the best defenseman of his era and four Stanley Cups as a cornerstone of the Detroit Red Wings make him a strong favorite to be elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame today in his first year of eligibility. But when Lidstrom looks back on his career, the 1,564 regular-season and 263 playoff games stand out. “People are asking you how many games you played and how many you missed, and that’s something I’m very proud of that I played in so many games,” Lidstrom said. “I haven’t missed many games.” Lidstrom, who will likely be joined in the class of 2015 by former Red Wings teammate Sergei Fedorov and fellow dominant defenseman Chris Pronger. – AP