Red Wings Without Lidstrom: The Decline Continues

Per usual, it's easy to forget just how pivotal Nicklas Lidstrom was to this franchise. Without him, the Red Wings' decline from a perennial Stanley Cup contender to rebuilding mode is staggering - and I'm still convinced that his departure marked the beginning of the end.

That trade with Carolina for Sebastian Cossa could be reevaluated in retrospect if you ask me...