Red Wings should retire Datsyuk and Zetterberg to the rafters next

The Detroit Red Wings have one of the most prestigious histories in the NHL, and with that comes a difficult question: which players deserve to have their numbers retired forever?

Pavel Datsyuk’s No. 13 and Henrik Zetterberg’s No. 40 should be next.

These two players weren't simply great Red Wings. They represented an entire generation of Detroit hockey. From the early 2000s through the 2010s, they were the faces of the franchise and played a major role in keeping the Red Wings among the NHL’s elite.

The case for no. 13

Pavel Datsyuk's resume is almost impossible to argue against.

The Magic Man spent his entire 14-year NHL career in Detroit, recording 918 points in 953 games, including 314 goals and 604 assists. He ranks top 10 among the franchise's all-time leaders in games, goals, assists and points.

Then there are the awards.

Datsyuk won three consecutive Selke Trophies, four straight Lady Byng Trophies, made four All-Star teams and was named one of the NHL's 100 Greatest Players. He also won two Stanley Cups with Detroit in 2002 and 2008. In 2024, he became a first-ballot Hockey Hall of Famer.

And statistics don't even capture what made No. 13 special. His puck control, defensive instincts and ability to make opponents look completely helpless made him one of the most entertaining players Detroit has ever had.

The case for no. 40

Henrik Zetterberg's case is just as compelling.

The seventh-round pick developed into one of the greatest players in franchise history, spending all 15 of his NHL seasons with Detroit. He finished with 960 points in 1,082 games, ranking fifth in Red Wings history in goals, assists and points.

But his defining moment came in 2008.

Zetterberg recorded 27 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal against Pittsburgh. He later became Detroit's captain, succeeding Nicklas Lidstrom and leading the franchise through a difficult transition.

He also won the King Clancy Trophy and NHL Foundation Player Award, showing that his impact extended beyond the rink.

More than just numbers

This is ultimately why both numbers belong in the rafters.

Datsyuk and Zetterberg weren't mercenaries who spent a few seasons in Detroit. They became Detroit Red Wings.

They helped bring championships to the city, carried the franchise into the post-Yzerman era and gave fans countless memories at Joe Louis Arena before eventually becoming part of the history that moved into Little Caesars Arena.

Retiring No. 13 and No. 40 would honor both the players and the era they called theirs.

The rafters are waiting

Detroit shouldn't retire numbers simply because a player was good. The honor should be reserved for players who fundamentally changed the franchise's history.

Datsyuk and Zetterberg did exactly that.

No. 13 and No. 40 deserve to hang beside the greatest numbers in Red Wings history forever.

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