Merry Belated Christmas!

Update: Lidstrom's new contract is for 7.45 million a year, a bit of a discount, but Nick says his number one priority was staying in Detroit, according to an interview during the game.

The Red Wings just signed a two year contract extension with captain Nick Lidstrom that will keep him in red through the 2009/2010. Lidstrom has 900 points in 15 seasons (the top-scoring defenseman in the league), has won five Norris trophies, and been an All Star eight times - not to mention he's an all around great guy and team leader. (And have you seen that slapshot he takes while still moving at full speed? Ohhhh.) The financial terms have not be released yet; his previous contract was set at 7.6 million.

I for one, though I didn't doubt the signing would happen, am ecstatic to see it anyway. It really is the season of giving!

Speaking of the Wings, they take on the Blues again tonight. I'll be out seeing the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but I will hopefully catch at least some of it. The team may be without Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom again (as well as Kirk Maltby), but being substantially more rested than the last time they took on the Blues, can hopefully put on the sort of performance they did against the Wild while missing those two. Mark Hartigan has been called up from Grand Rapids again, so it's a safe bet at least one of them is still sitting. For more, check out On the Wings, Behind the Jersey, Letsgowings, and Winging it in Motown.

(PS vote Hemsky! Maybe it will inspire him to get better faster.)