Nicklas Lidstrom decision on Thursday; reports say it’s retirement

The Detroit Red Wings announced that defenseman and captain Nicklas Lidstrom will hold a press conference Thursday in the C.C. Olympia Club at Joe Louis Arena.

This has, naturally, sparked much speculation about whether he'll be announcing his retirement.

Via Yahoo! Sports' Nick Cotsonika, Red Wings GM Ken Holland said that Lidstrom will announce his future and offered no clues as to the nature of that decision. "He's earned that right," said Holland, completely ominously.

While an announcement of this magnitude might seem out of place at the Stanley Cup Final, keep in mind that "the last time the Devils were in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003, Patrick Roy announced his retirement on the day after Game 1," according to Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice.

Is this the end of Lidstrom? And if so, how do the Red Wings handle the loss?

C'mon Lids: Victory lap, including the Winter Classic at the Big House.

UPDATE: TSN's Aaron Ward says Lidstrom's hanging up the skates. "According to source, Nick Lidstrom will announce his retirement tomorrow in Detroit." Helene St. James of the Freep confirms as well.