Best Detroit Red Wings Players By Number: #31-40

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The Detroit Red Wings have a storied history as an Original Six Franchise. Many have worn the Winged Wheel on the front of the sweater and shared a number with another on the back. Some of those numbers hang proudly in the rafters. Others are forgotten and given to the next person on the roster.

Over the next week and a half, Octopus Thrower will write up the greatest names to wear every number (where applicable). Today we continue with #’s 31-40.

Dec 31, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings former forward Mickey Redmond (20) shoots on Toronto Maple Leafs former goalie Curtis Joseph (31) during the Alumni Showdown as part of the Winter Classic at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

#31: Curtis Joseph

“Cujo” was signed as a free agent for the Detroit Red Wings to begin the 2002-2003 season. Coming off a Stanley Cup Championship the year before, Curtis Joseph was expected to bring an elite ability at the goaltender position and the experiment really did not pay off as Joseph did not surpass expectations in Detroit even though he did help the team win a division title in 2002-2003 before being swept by the Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks.

Other Notables Who Wore #31: Joey MacDonald, Ken Wregget

Currently Worn By: None

Next: #32 May Not Be Popular

#32 Tim Cheveldae

Tim Cheveldae was the starting goaltender to start the 1990-1991 season for the Detroit Red Wings after backing up the position the previous two years. Although Cheveldae has a bad reputation from Red Wings fans as he was “booed” at the end of his career in Detroit, he still was able to win 128 games for the team including 38 in the 1991-1992 season. Cheveldae was traded during the 1993-1994 season but he is our all time #32 in Detroit.

Other Notables Who Wore #32: Tomas Kopecky, Kris Newbury

Currently Worn By: None

Next: #33: They got him for a $1

Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

#33 Kris Draper

Kris Draper is considered an all time franchise player for the Detroit Red Wings as he has done and continues to do so much for the organization. Draper joined the Red Wings at just 22 years of age and played until he retired at the age of 39. He scored 361 points for the Red Wings during his career and continues to be apart of the front office with the team today.

Other Notables Who Wore #33: Doug Houda, John Blum, Yves Racine

Currently Worn By:None

Next: #34: The 2006 Playoffs were his only blemish

Jan 1, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; A general view of the Detroit Red Wings during the playing of the national anthem before the 2014 Winter Classic hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#34 Manny Legace

Manny Legace is one of the most underrated goaltenders in Detroit Red Wings history as he was a part of the team from 1999-2006. Legace had an amazing record of 112 wins with only 34 losses in Detroit including a 37 win season, in only 45 games, in his final season with the team. With names such as, Chris Osgood, Dominik Hasek, and Curtis Joseph, being recognized heavily throughout the 2000s, Legace does not get much recognition for being so solid through the 2000’s for the Red Wings. His performance in the 2006 playoffs, however, sullied his performance a bit with fans.

Other Notables Who Wore #34: Andre St. Laurent, Jamie Macoun, Sam St. Laurent

Currently Worn By: Petr Mrazek

Next: #35: Yet another goalie

Feb 21, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) tries to stop a shot by the Dallas Stars during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

#35 Jimmy Howard

Everybody seems to have mixed feelings for Jimmy Howard who has been with the team since 2005. Howard started off solid in his career as the starter for Detroit winning more than 35 games his first three seasons. Still presently on the team, Howard provides the Red Wings a reliable option at goaltender in whatever opportunity is presented. The 2015-2016 season will be the 10th for Howard’s career in Detroit.

Other Notables Who Wore #35: Ken Holland, Bob Essensa

Currently Worn By: Jimmy Howard

Next: #36: Meech gets the nod

Apr 21, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Overall view of Joe Louis Arena during player introductions prior to game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

#36 Derek Meech

The number 36 is one of the more rare numbers in Detroit Red Wings history as only six players have only wore the number is Detroit Red Wings history. Derek Meech braced the number for the 2006-2007 season. Although Meech only played four season’s in Detroit, his name is still etched on the Stanley Cup as the team petitioned to have the NHL put his name there for the 2007-2008 Stanley Cup Championship.

Other Notables Who Wore #36: Steve Martinson, Per Djoos

Currently Worn By:None

Next: #37: Some big playoff goals got him here

Oct 2, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Mikael Samuelsson (37) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#37 Mikael Samuelsson

Mikael Samuelsson brings a little bit more familiarity for fans today as he began his career in Detroit to start the 2005-2006 season. Samuelsson played four years straight for the Red Wings from 2005-2009 before returning to the team for the final two years of his career which includes helping the team win the Stanley Cup Championship in 2007-2008. Samuelsson scored 68 goals while adding 163 points while in Detroit and will forever be remembered for his scrappy ability.

Other Notables Who Wore #37: Doug Janik, Kris King

Currently Worn By:None

Next: #38: The Tool Man

Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#38 Tim Taylor

The #38 has also been a rare number in Detroit Red Wings history, as only nine players have ever worn the number in the teams history. Taylor makes it for a couple reasons. First, out of the others who wore the number, his statistical output and time with the team exceeds them. But second, how could we not put the guy on here who shared a name with Tim Allen’s fictional character from the 90’s TV hit

Home Improvement.

Fictional Taylor was from Detroit. Real Taylor played for Detroit. Done.

Other Notables Who Wore #38: Norm Maracle , Thomas McCollum

Currently Worn By: None

Next: #39: The Dominator

Jan 13, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres former goalie Dominik Hasek waves to the crowd as he takes the ice during his ceremony to get his number retired prior to a game against the Detroit Red Wings at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

#39 Dominik Hasek

The Detroit Red Wings signing Dominik Hasek for the 2001-2002 season will forever go down as one of the greatest signings in team history as he was a key part in the championship that season. Hasek won 41 games in 2001-2002 which accumulated into his 114 wins with the team total. He played in Detroit for multiple stints, from 2001-2008 and will forever be remembered for how exciting he made “Hockeytown” throughout his tenure with the team.

Other Notables Who Wore #39: Aaron Ward, Stacy Roest, Johan Franzen

Currently Worn By: None

Next: #40: Z is the Only Choce

Apr 29, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

#40 Henrik Zetterberg

The current captain of the team, is our all time #40 as Henrik Zetterberg has been a fan favorite ever since joining the team in 2002. Zetterberg is closing in on 300 career goals on what will be his 13th season as a Detroit Red Wing. He was apart of the team’s 2007-2008 Stanley Cup Championship and has provided tremendous leadership into the team’s balance throughout his still strong career. Zetterberg has been a great all-time addition to the team after being drafted in the 7th round (210 overall) and will go down as one of the greatest left wings in Detroit Red Wings history.

Other Notables Who Wore #40: Mark Major, Bill Ranford

Currently Worn By: Henrik Zetterberg

Next: 8 Reasons Why This Wings Season Will Be a Great One

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