• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Detroit Red Wings

Would Nicklas Lidstrom Make a Good Coach?

By Tom Mitsos August 26th, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

According to the Toronto Sun, Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock reached out to former captain Nicklas Lidstrom in June to fill the vacant assistant coaching positions.

Obviously, Lidstrom declined the job opportunity, as Tony Granato, Jim Hiller and Andrew Brewer were hired to fill the spots left by Tom Renney and Bill Peters.

Lidstrom opted to stay in Sweden with his family, but added that “you should never say never” when it comes to him making a return to the NHL at some point.

This begs the question: Would Lidstrom make a good NHL coach?

It seems like a no-brainer that a four-time Stanley Cup winner, seven-time Norris Trophy winner, a Conn Smythe Trophy winner and an Olympic gold medal winner would have the qualifications to coach an NHL team and be successful.

Wayne Gretzky

However, the trend of great players coaching in the NHL hasn’t been so good. A prime example is Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky is one of the greatest to ever play the game; that much is a given.

However, Gretzky’s coaching career with the Phoenix Coyotes from 2005-2009 was anything but stellar. He had a 143-161-24 record and never finished higher than fourth in the Pacific Division. He also never made the playoffs as the bench boss for the Coyotes.

Sure, the Coyotes weren’t exactly brimming with talent back then, but there’s a reason teams aren’t knocking on Gretzky’s door begging him to coach their team.

Nicklas Lidstrom

(Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports)

Adam Oates

Another example is Adam Oates. Oates took over as head coach of the Washington Capitals in 2012. However, he only got two seasons in Washington before he was fired. He compiled a 65-48-17 record with one playoff appearance.

A bit better than Gretzky’s coaching career, but nothing to write home about. Oates even had the luxury of Alexander Ovechkin (despite his awful plus/minus over the past three seasons) and other decent players such as Nicklas Backstrom and Joel Ward.

The old adage is “Those who can’t do teach.” Lidstrom, Gretzky and Oates could all do, so if Lidstrom decides to come back and coach, history suggests he might not be so successful.

Despite what history might suggest, I would be interested to see how Lidstrom would do as a coach, but I won’t be proclaiming the next Red Wings dynasty should he ever decide to come back to the NHL. He was a smart player who could no doubt help some youngsters develop, but he may be better suited in a scouting role than a coaching role.

  • Tags
  • Nicklas Lidstrom
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 18th 9:05 AM
Winnipeg Jets

Shorthanded Jets Face Tough Early Test

Jan 18th 8:55 AM
Boston Bruins

6 Bruins Standouts from Opening Series Versus Devils

Jan 18th 8:45 AM
New York Rangers

Rangers’ First 2 Games Offer Stark Contrasts

Jan 18th 8:35 AM
Boston Bruins

Today in Hockey History: Jan. 18

Jan 17th 6:35 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Hope Early Start Leads to Bounce Back

Jan 17th 5:50 PM
New York Islanders

Islanders Loss Can’t Be Pinned on Sorokin Entirely

Jan 17th 5:15 PM
Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings: Zadina’s Start Sparks the Imagination

Jan 17th 5:05 PM
Archives

Jacques Plante: The Man in the Fiberglass Mask

Jan 17th 4:25 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Make Tough Decision in Waiving Spezza and Dell

Jan 17th 4:05 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Joe Thornton’s First Maple Leafs’ Goal: Just a Little Trickery Out There

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information