Rubuta ci gaba don wannan sakin layi - Lidström ya fara aikinsa a Avesta, Sweden, yana wasa da Skogsbo SK, kafin ya ci gaba da wasa da VIK Västerås HK na Elitserien na Sweden. A cikin yanayi uku tare da ƙungiyar, ya buga wasanni 103, ya zira kwallaye 12 da tallafi 30. Detroit Red Wings ta tsara shi a matsayin na 53 a cikin 1989 NHL Entry Draft
, Lidström ya koma kungiyar a kakar wasa ta 1991-92, kodayake ya koma buga wasa a Västerås IK na ɗan gajeren lokaci yayin kulle-kullen NHL na 1994-95. Lidström ya zira kwallaye 60 a kakar wasansa ta farko, inda ya zama na biyu ga Pavel Bure a zaben Calder Trophy na wannan shekarar. An zaba shi zuwa 1992 NHL All-Rookie Team, tare da abokin Red Wings mai kare Vladimir Konstantinov.