-Vintage Canuck- Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Red Wings' Tomas Holmstrom expected to retire before season: Tomas Holmstrom, the best net-front presence in the NHL over the past 15 seasons for the Detroit Red Wings, is expected to announce his retirement soon, now that the lockout is over. Holmstrom, who turns 40 on Jan. 23, informed the club of his intentions a while ago. The team did not want to make an announcement during the work stoppage. It will hold a news conference at Joe Louis Arena, likely before the start of the season. Holmstrom scored 243 goals and added 287 assists in 1,026 games. His goal total includes 122 on the power play, which ranks third in franchise history behind Steve Yzerman (202) and Nicklas Lidstrom (132). Statistics for power-play goals weren't kept for much of Gordie Howe's career. Holmstrom had many more goals disallowed because referees ruled he either interfered with the goaltender or was in the crease. His perseverance around the net was unparalleled. Especially during his early years, he absorbed constant slashes, cross-checks and other abuse from defensemen and goaltenders. He still managed to screen the goalie and tip numerous shots past goalies. And, despite his lack of speed, he was tremendous at retrieving the puck. The 257th overall pick (10th round) in the 1994 NHL entry draft, Holmstrom played on four Stanley Cup championship teams (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008). http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2013/01/red_wings_tomas_holmstrom_expe.html Great career, wish him all the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n00bxQb Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Solid career making lives difficult for defensemen and goaltenders alike. I don't think people understand just how much of a beating one takes playing the way he plays. Probably one of the toughest guys the NHL will ever see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck_trevor16 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 I expect him to work for the red wings in some capacity probably as a scout somewhere in European likely Sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jägermeister Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 No Lidstrom or Holmstrom in Detroit... truly the end of the late 90's early 2000's dynasty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Mind Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 All the best to him then. Though I wonder how the red wings will cope with losing another valuable player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawberries Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Man his back must be destroyed by now from all that abuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imuzi Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 The Detroit Red Wings that I used to know and hate are almost all gone now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AriGold Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Great player, Hated playing him as he was one of the most annoying. Best at what he did, DET is falling apart at the hips.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Gaunce Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 makes me feel sad and older . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazin! Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 The Detroit Red Wings that I used to know and hate are almost all gone now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuck-Shot Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Wish out scorers were this uber gritty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-52 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Redwings were my 2nd favorite team, they got gutted this off season. Now I could care less about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire_Spiky Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Solid career. Won't miss him in front of our net though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Doctor Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Shame to see him go but I will always have the memory of his 5 goal games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuckin_futz Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Redwings were my 2nd favorite team, they got gutted this off season. Now I could care less about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHL rocks Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Solid player. Played for below market value for almost all of his career. Great team mate. Teams need players like Holmstrom to win Cups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHL rocks Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Redwings were my 2nd favorite team, they got gutted this off season. Now I could care less about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down by the River Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Seemed like there has never been a single Canuck who could move Holmstrom from the top of the crease. Liked his battles with Bieksa, with Bieksa shouting 'one time' at him (drop the gloves one time). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveeviL Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Solid guy, so much abuse and tough work - as bad a skater as he was an awesome net presence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHL rocks Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Scotty Bowman on Hockey Central talking about Holmstrom. Loved the guy. Told a story about how Holmstrom wanted a high number, but Federov had 91 and he was the rock star so they didn't wan to give Holmtrom a number higher than Fedorov's. Bowman says to Holmstrom, why don't you take the number 98 because that's the year you'll be going back home to Sweden,, lol. This was in 1996. Holmstrom took the #96. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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