There’s nothing more annoying than subjective rankings. Really, because they cause excitement for about a second and almost always eternal resentment. And that’s the case with the NHL’s Quarter Century Team, somehow leaving off one Red Wings player who helped fuel the team’s latest golden era.
Henrik Zetterberg is known in more than just the Red Wings fanbase; he’s an NHL legend, and even most hockey fans stuck somewhere in outer orbit know his name and how illustrious his career was.
Back when I played EA Sports video games, Zetterberg was my go-to player, and for good reason. The guy was the definition of an unstoppable force back when the Red Wings were making annual trips to the playoffs. Oh, and as an added bonus: There’s just something mystical about a player spending his entire career with one team.
Henrik Zetterberg should’ve won a spot on the NHL’s Quarter Century Team
Henrik Zetterberg was a force for the Red Wings between 2002-03 and 2017-18, fueling the second half of this team’s dynasty era, despite them winning just one Stanley Cup when he was wearing the winged wheel.
When the NHL resumed play in 2005-06, Zetterberg went on an odyssey, averaging over a point per game between then and 2014-15. During that span, he played in 696 games, putting up 699 points and scoring 259 goals, and an eye-popping plus-138 rating. No wonder he was helping lead some of the most dominating Red Wings teams of the era to deep playoff runs.
He also showed a lot of endurance, routinely averaging over 20 minutes per game. And to do that across 696 contests, it’s pretty remarkable. Overall, Zetterberg averaged 19:33 of ice time throughout his career, ended up playing in 1,082 games, registering 960 points, and 337 goals.
He was a playmaker who the Wings couldn’t live without during those glory days in the 2000s and 2010s, and his impact will be remembered by Red Wings fans who weren’t even around during the era. You know, because they’re still going to know Zetterberg’s name and what he was all about once the Wings become their chosen pastime.
The NHL Quarter Century Team could’ve been a lot better
Could’ve been a lot better? No, the Quarter Century Team should’ve been a lot better. Yeah, there are some good players listed, but I would’ve put Zetterberg’s name before Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews, and even Joe Thornton.
I’m not saying that a strong contingent of those players listed didn’t deserve to be on there, and you can say the same for the three I have listed above. But Zetterberg showed off longevity; he won a Stanley Cup, and he has a Conn Smythe Trophy to his name. That said, there’s no way I’d have left Zetterberg off that list.
So, yeah, it’s a definite travesty if you ask me. But still, nobody can take away Zetterberg’s Stanley Cup championship, and a long career in which he flat-out helped the Wings dominate the NHL.