DETROIT -- Nicklas Lidstrom proved to himself he is still one of the NHL's best defensemen last season and that is good news for Detroit fans.

The 41-year-old Lidstrom will return for a 20th season with the Red Wings.

"Coming off this season, helped me to make this decision," Lidstrom said after agreeing to a one-year deal worth $6.2 million, same as last year.

Lidstrom is a Norris Trophy finalist for the 11th time in 13 seasons. If he wins the award for being the league's top defenseman -- it would be his seventh -- on Wednesday, he will match Doug Harvey's total and trail Bobby Orr's record by only one.

"Nick had a tremendous year and continues to be one of the elite defensemen in the game," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said.

Lidstrom is also a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

The soft-spoken Swede leads with his actions.

He had 62 points last season -- surpassing his production from each of the previous two years -- to rank second among NHL blue-liners and to become the first 40-year-old defenseman with 60-plus points in an NHL season.

"If I would've taken a step back, it could've been a different situation and it could've been a different decision" Lidstrom said.

Lidstrom's 6-foot-2, 190-pound body is chiseled thanks to a year-round workout that includes exercise before practice and after games along with a sensible diet that includes only occasional slices of pizza and fast food.