om Alderson with the Mets on a six-game skid,

DETROIT - Nicklas Lidstrom was the last person to speak at his Detroit Red Wings jersey-retirement ceremony. He might have spoken the least while perhaps saying the most, fittingly for a player who was subtly spectacular on the ice. Lidstrom was honoured Thursday night before Detroit hosted the Colorado Avalanche. A red banner — with his last name and number in white — was raised to the rafters. "Its not like winning a trophy for a successful season or playoff; its not winning an individual trophy," he said on a puck-shaped podium. "This is something different. This is all about being a Detroit Red Wing." The storied franchise previously retired six jerseys: Gordie Howes No. 9, Steve Yzermans No. 19, Ted Lindsays No. 7, Terry Sawchuks No. 1, Alex Delvecchios No. 10 and Sid Abels No. 12. But Lidstrom is the first defenceman to have his jersey retired by the Red Wings. Detroit drafted the Swede in the third round and between 1991 and 2012 he played in the most games (1,564) by someone who was on only one NHL team. "For the first couple of years, he didnt seem that great, but then you began to appreciate him," Delvecchio said. Lidstrom, with sound positioning and a strong shot, helped the Red Wings win four of their 11 Stanley Cups between 1997 and 2008. He won seven Norris Trophies as the NHLs best defenceman and trailed only Bobby Orrs record total of eight. "As much as we didnt like him when we were playing against each other, I had tons of respect for him," Colorado coach and former NHL goaltending great Patrick Roy said. Lidstrom became the first European-born captain to win a Stanley Cup in 2008, six years after being the first from Europe to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the leagues post-season MVP. With his signature slap shot, he scored the gold-medal winning goal for Sweden against Finland at the 2006 Olympics. In a video tribute shown during a first-period timeout, Yzerman said Lidstrom was one of the games all-time greats. "You made our jobs so much easier," Yzerman said. Lidstrom retired after the 2011-12 season — his 20th with the Red Wings. He refused to settle for being merely a good defenceman in the league and turned down a chance to make about $6 million with a third straight one-year contract. "No regrets, but that doesnt mean I dont miss it," he said. "I miss playing, but I never had any urge to get back to being on the ice and playing in a game." With his wife and their four hockey-playing boys, he is living back home in Sweden and enjoying a simple life. "Whats been so relaxing about it is that I get weekends off," Lidstrom said. "I never had any weekends off that I can remember since I was a teenager." When Lidstrom was 21 and going into his first NHL season, he was asked what number he wanted to wear if he made the team. Not knowing much about the Red Wings other than Yzerman being their captain, Lidstrom asked for No. 9 — a number that had been retired for nearly 20 years to honour Howe. "Kid, that just aint going to happen," Lidstrom recalled being told. Lidstrom was later given a winged-wheel jersey with another single digit. "No. 5 was handed to me," he said with a grin. Ecco Shoes Australia Wholesale . They have homered once every 27.3 at bats, which just happens to be the third best mark in the American League, albeit just 10 games into the season. Cheap Ecco Shoes Australia . There is no argument that the line of Pacioretty, David Desharnais and Thomas Vanek was one of the hottest in the NHL leading into the post-season, and they did combine for three goals and seven points, but it was the depth of all four lines that helped propel Montreal. http://www.cheapeccoaustralia.com/. -- Cheyenne Woods, the niece of Tiger Woods, shot a 2-under 69 on Tuesday to finish first in stroke-play qualifying at the Womens U. Ecco Shoes On Sale Australia . - The Detroit Lions have placed tight end Brandon Pettigrew on injured reserve, ending his season. Ecco Shoes Wholesale . Though the 26-year-old said he was able to participate, coach Dwane Casey kept Johnson out as a precaution.NEW YORK -- The next phase in New York Mets ace Matt Harveys rehabilitation from elbow reconstruction surgery is being pushed back, and the All-Star right-hander is becoming more realistic about his chances of pitching in the major leagues this year. Harvey was supposed to throw off a slope for the first time Tuesday but he was told last week while working out at the Mets complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida, that the plan was being scrapped. "A little surprised," Harvey said before the Mets played the Milwaukee Brewers. "We kind of had that plan written up for quite some time and to hear four or five days before Im making a milestone is a little disappointing." New York general manager Sandy Alderson said there is nothing wrong with Harvey. In fact the 25-year-olds recovery might have been going too well. "I think the realization that as we transition from long tossing to throwing off a slope that we were moving sort of inexorably to a conclusion that we wanted to avoid, which is pitching too soon," Alderson said. "After talking with our doctors it made sense to slow him down a little bit." In a season in which Tommy John surgery has become a near epidemic -- 22 pitchers had the operation so far, according to data provided from STATS via writer Jon Roegele -- the Mets are basing their timetable for Harveys return on a growing amount of data that shows pitchers have morre success if they dont return before 11 months from the date of surgery.ddddddddddddHarvey had his operation on Oct. 22. "Thats about the last week in September," Alderson said of the target date. "Thats a very narrow window to try to hit from our standpoint." Manager Terry Collins, who was given a vote of confidence from Alderson with the Mets on a six-game skid, said he wouldnt expect Harvey to pitch for New York in the final week of the season unless the team was in contention. Harvey had been set on returning this season but understands the decision is out of his hands. "I think Im coming to realize that I cant write myself in the lineup is becoming more realistic," Harvey said. "Im the one throwing the baseball. I havent had one pinch of pain. I can only express how good I feel and how ready I personally feel." Harvey will continue to long toss from 120 feet -- sometimes 150 -- and throw off flat ground for the time being. Alderson said a new plan has not yet been finalized. Alderson, meanwhile, met with Collins after the team returned from an 11-game road trip a season-high seven games under .500 at 28-35 because he felt there was too much talk about Collins status in the media. "Every time we lose a few games in a row, theres speculation about somebody taking a fall and thats simply not the way to approach a long season," Alderson said. ' ' '