There’s been a lot talk recently about which numbers from the current era will be retired. Be it Osgood, Holmstrom, Federov, Draper, etc. the talk has been really good. It got me thinking about who the all-time team would roll out on the ice and the lines to follow. A lot of the top six is pretty much “well, duh.” but as it gets down into the later lines it gets interesting.
Starting six:
Goalie: Terry Sawchuk: Clear cut choice who’s number one for this department.
Defense: Nicklas Lidstrom: Like Sawchuk, no doubt about number one here. Lidstrom’s not only the best defenseman Detroit has had, he might be the best ever.
Defense: Vladimir Konstantinov: Seems like it could be a case of the sentimental choice at first but Vlad was incredible in his short time in Detroit. 9th for points by defensemen, 2nd in +/- with +185. Vlad was on pace for a potential Hall of Fame career before the accident that ended his career.
Left Wing: Ted Lindsay: Terrible Ted won an Art Ross Trophy and four Cups with the Wings while racking up 728 career points in Detroit.
Center: Steve Yzerman: Nothing needs to be said about Yzerman that already hasn’t been said. The example of leadership and determination.
Right Wing: Gordie Howe: The greatest hockey player pre-modern era and consider by some still as the greatest player to play the game, Howe helped define the Red Wings and is symbolic of the franchise.
On the bench:
Brendan Shanahan-Sergei Federov-Henrik Zetterberg
Tomas Holmstrom-Sid Abel-Mickey Redmond
