The top 5 players from each Original Six NHL franchises

Detroit Red Wings — Est. 1926

The Red Wings have won 11 Stanley Cups (nine in the ‘modern era’) and 19 division championships in franchise history. These are the five greatest players to ever put on the red and white.

5. Terry Sawchuk, G (1949-1955, 1957-64, 1968-69)

Terry Sawchuk didn’t play 14 consecutive years with the Red Wings, but he did dominate when he was in Detroit. In his first five full years as a Red Wing he led the NHL in wins, three times leading the league in shutouts. He won three Vezina Trophies with the Wings and finished in the top-4 in Hart Memorial Trophy voting four times. Sawchuk went to eight All-Star games while playing for the Wings and he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as a rookie. Although his greatest contribution to Detroit were the three Stanley Cups he lifted.

4. Ted Lindsay, LW (1944-1957, 1964-65)

“Terrible Ted” was one of Detroit’s stars during one of the most successful runs in franchise history. He also has an award named after him–the Ted Lindsay Award–which is given to the league’s most outstanding player as voted by the players. During his playing days he won four Stanley Cups as a member of the “Production Line”. He also played in 11 All-Star Games and won the Art Ross Trophy one time. He ranks fifth in team history in goals scored (335).

3. Steve Yzerman, C (1983-2006)

One of the most beloved players in Red Wings history, if not the most, is Steve Yzerman. The longtime captain of Detroit is credited with pulling the franchise out of the “Dead Wings” era. He led the Wings to three Stanley Cup championships and a slew of playoff appearances. Yzerman won a Conn Smythe Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, and a Frank J. Selke Trophy in his playing days. Somewhat statistically overshadowed by the players of his era (Gretzky, Lemieux), he still hit the 100-point plateau in six consecutive years from 1988-1993. He ranks first in team history in assists (1063) and second in points and goals.

2. Gordie Howe, RW (1946-1971)

The man known as “Mr. Hockey” comes in at number two on this list. He spent an incredible 25 seasons in Detroit, spanning four separate decades. He lifted four Stanley Cups while in Detroit and was a 22-time All-Star. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy both an amazing six times. He led the NHL in goals scored five times as well. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do on the ice as he was known for his physical play, too. He’s the franchise leader in games played (1687), goals (786), and points (1809). How is he not the greatest player in franchise history?

1. Nicklas Lidstrom, D (1991-2012)

The greatest player in the history of the Detroit Red Wings is the Swedish-born defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom. In his remarkable 20-year career Detroit did not miss the playoffs a single time. He helped lead the Wings to four Stanley Cup championships — the last time as team captain. Seven times he won the James Norris Trophy as the league’s top defensemen and he also took home a Conn Smythe Trophy.

Lidstrom played in 11 All-Star Games and finished in the top-10 for Hart Memorial Trophy voting six times. Not only was he a premier defensemen, he added a lot of offense to the Wings’ attack, too. He ranks third all-time in team history in assists (878) and fourth in points (1142). He scored 35 game winning goals in his career as well. His 450 plus/minus is tops in team history by a landslide.

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