Yesterday was the 5 Best Left Wings of All Time. Today we Octopus Thrower features the 5 Top Right Wings in Detroit Red Wings history.
5: Daniel Cleary 2005-present (forever)
I had a gentleman’s agreement with Dan Cleary to include him on this list for his decade long service for the Detroit Red Wings. Putting all joking and Cleary-bashing aside, let’s take a second to remember that there was a time not too long ago where Detroit hockey fans weren’t tired of Cleary. And for better or worse, you may not find a more devoted Detroit Red Wing than Dan Cleary.
Cleary ranks 28th in Detroit franchise history amongst all-time forwards, and 7th among Right-Wings. He has played in 609 regular-season games for the Red Wings, scoring 275 points (124 goals, 129 assists). Cleary has also been a iron-man for the Wings in his ten years of service in Detroit. In 8 of his 10 seasons with the Wings (including the shortened 2012-13 season), Cleary has played in 75% of the 82 regular-season games. He has had three 20 goal seasons and is currently a +9 with the Red Wings.
Love him or hate him, you can’t ignore the impact Cleary has had with the Red Wings over the last dozen or so years. He’s a tough and loyal hockey player whose love for the game/Red Wings can’t be argued.
Next: The Mule At #4