Big News in Detroit – Terrible Ted Lindsay is Back!

The Detroit Red Wings have just announced that former NHL standout Ted Lindsay, 39,  is coming out of retirement to join the Wings for tomorrow night’s opening game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Lindsay, one of the all-time great left wingers, last played in the NHL for the Chicago Black Hawks in the 1959-60 season. He scored seven goals and nineteen assists in 68 games that season.

Lindsay played 16 years before his retirement, 13 of them with Detroit.  He was the left wing on the famed ‘Production Line’, with Gordie Howe on the right side and Sid Abel at centre.  Abel is now the general manager-coach of the Red Wings.

Abel is high on Ted

Abel said this about the shocking announcement, “He’s been practising with us for the past six weeks and we’ve been talking about his coming out of retirement.  He wanted to get back into the game as a player.”

“He’s in shape and I’ll use him on the power plays and probably on the number two line with Norm Ullman and Floyd Smith, as regular left wing Larry Jeffrey won’t dress due to an injured knee.”

“Ted signed a year’s contract but if he doesn’t think he can take it, he’ll quit.  And if we don’t feel he can do the job, we’ll let him go.  But I think he’s ready to play and I think he can help us.  He’s 39 years old but he was a great one and natural ability is something you never lose.”

Lindsay’s first game back after four years out of hockey will be a milestone – it will be his 1000th NHL game.