Nicklas Lidstrom to return to Red Wings

DETROIT (AP) -Nicklas Lidstrom has signed a one-year contract, returning to the Detroit Red Wings instead of retiring.

The team announced the deal Tuesday.

Lidstrom had been contemplating calling it a career. He's spent all his 18 seasons in the NHL with the Red Wings. The 40-year-old Swede had nine goals and 40 assists this season, playing in all 82 games.

San Jose eliminated the Red Wings in Game 5 of their second-round series.

Lidstrom was honored as the NHL's best defenseman two years ago for a sixth time, putting his Norris Trophy collection behind only Bobby Orr and Doug Harvey. He has 237 goals and 809 assists for 1,046 career points.