#2: Red Kelly (1947-1960)
Everyone knows the names Howe, Lindsay, Abel and Delvecchio, but most people don’t know the defensive-stud who played and assisted behind those legendary forwards. Red Kelly was the Nick Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings in the 1950’s. Kelly was a four-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Red Wings, and tallied seven consecutive 40 point seasons.
Kelly played 846 regular-season games for the Red Wings (2nd most), and in his 846 games he scored 146 goals and 472 points. His 427 points places him #2 all-time amongst Red Wings’ defencemen. Red was also a six-time NHL First Team All-Star with the Red Wings, as well as a 3 time Lady Byng Trophy winner with Detroit. In 1954, Red Kelly was awarded the first Norris Trophy for being the NHL’s most outstanding defenceman. Kelly was a huge part of the Red Wings winning four Stanley Cup titles in six years.
Next: The Obvious #1 is #5