Lidstrom, 42, returned for his 20th season to the Red Wings and has had an accomplished career highlighted by four Stanley Cups and seven James Norris Memorial Trophies, given each year to the league’s top defenseman. He was also selected by Sports Illustrated as the “NHL Player of the Decade.”

Lidstrom had 11 goals and 34 points in 70 regular-season games during last season, which ended in a first-round playoff loss to the Nashville Predators. Over the course of his 20 seasons, he has 1,142 points in 1,564 games.

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Although the news won’t be confirmed until tomorrow, speculation of his retirement has already led to players commenting on Lidstrom’s legacy. Darren Dreger, a hockey insider for NHL on TSN, said on Wednesday that Hall-of-Famer Steve Yzerman, who also spent his career with the Detroit Red Wings, considers Lidstrom to be one of the best ever.