As the Detroit Red Wings turn 100, now’s the perfect time to list the top 25 players in their storied history. Chances are, you’ll find at least one player repping an era of Red Wings hockey, through those dynasty seasons, but also through the lean years.
Who made the cut, and where do they stand on a list that’s not the easiest one to make, considering how many players wore the winged wheel throughout its history? Yeah, you can probably guess that this wasn’t the easiest ranking to put together.
But anyway, I’m done talking. Let’s unveil the top 25 players in Red Wings history, and what made them such unforgettable staples.
25 - Dylan Larkin
You might say it’s too early, but Larkin’s already earned his place on this list for simply surviving this long, drawn-out rebuild. But how many more players wearing the winged wheel have shown more grit, loyalty, and offensive consistency when many star players in his position would’ve wanted out?
More importantly, he bleeds Detroit. The Waterford native’s a leader who wears the ‘C’ with passion and if the Wings return to complete relevance, he’ll be the centerpiece. And that’s why he’s at No. 25.
24 - Kris Draper
If you grew up watching the Wings in the ‘90s, you know Draper was one of those high-energy grinders. He never lit up the stat sheet, but wow, did he make an enormous impact, or what? Defensive zone faceoffs, penalty kills, and shutting down top lines were his specialty. He did all the dirty work and never complained.
He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion who brought championship intangibles to the ice every night. That included sheer work ethic, compete, and a strong desire to get under every opponent’s skin. No wonder he was one of the most notorious cogs in the machine over in Hockeytown.
23 - Vladimir Konstantinov
This is where emotion kicks in. Konstantinov would’ve been one of the greatest blueliners in NHL history if tragedy never struck. He took fourth and second place for the Norris in 1996 and 1997, respectively, and played with so much fire that opponents thought twice before skating near him.
Even with his career cut short, Konstantinov’s still one of the most beloved players in Red Wings history. He was such a powerful presence that the Wings dedicated their 1998 Cup run to him, and it remains one of the most emotional championship runs in NHL history.
22 - Slava Fetisov
He may’ve only spent three and a half years wearing the winged wheel, but Fetisov brought leadership, poise, and instant credibility to the Wings blue line. One of the original Russian Five, he revolutionized the way the Wings played during those late-90s championship runs.
Fetisov brought composure and an Olympic-level hockey IQ to a team on the brink of taking over the NHL.
21 - Bob Probert
You could argue Bob Probert was one of the most feared men in hockey. He dropped gloves often, but he wasn’t all fisticuffs. This guy could score, once putting up 62 points and 29 goals in 1987-88 while racking up 398 penalty minutes.
He was a cult hero to Red Wings fans. Probert went to bat for his teammates and brought an edge that intimidated even some of the game’s toughest players. In a city built on toughness, Probert fit right in.
20 - John Ogrodnick
Before the dynasty years, there was John Ogrodnick, one of the lone bright spots in the 1980s. He was legendary in 1984-85, putting up 55 goals and 105 points, carrying the offense on its back when the team wasn’t competitive.
He may not’ve gotten playoff glory like other players on this list. But his raw talent and sniping ability kept fans interested. He gave the Motor City hope when there wasn’t much going on.
19 - Chris Chelios
It still feels weird saying Chelios was a Red Wing longer than he was a Blackhawk, but he spent one more year in the Motor City. And wow, was he outstanding in Detroit. He was almost 40 when he burst onto the scene, and somehow still snagged big minutes against top lines.
He was a warrior, plain and simple. Chelios brought leadership and experience, but he was an ageless wonder whose body seemed unbreakable. His presence on the blue line helped bring the Stanley Cup back to Hockeytown in 2002 and 2008.
18 - Igor Larionov
The Professor’s calm presence and elite vision were staples of the Red Wings puck-possession dominance in the 1990s. Few could slow down such a chaotic game like Larionov.
A cerebral tactician whose game made him a fan favorite, Larionov’s most iconic moment came when he scored a triple overtime goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the 2002 Stanley Cup Final. That goal sealed his legacy in Hockeytown.
17 - Chris Osgood
Is he a Hall of Famer? Still debated, but he’s absolutely one of the greatest Red Wings ever. He backstopped Detroit to multiple Cups and played his absolute best hockey when the stakes were the highest.
Nah, he didn’t carry the same flash like other goaltenders of the era. But consistency, durability, and strong play in the clutch are why he’s on this list.
When you were all tied up in the third period and needed a big save, Osgood stepped up nearly every time. His ability to play under pressure won him a spot here.
16 - Reed Larson
He might be one of the most underrated blueliners in franchise history, but wow, what a power play machine between 1977 and 1986. He racked up 188 goals during his time wearing the winged wheel, and for the era he played in, that’s an outstanding number.
So, why’s he underrated? He never enjoyed the same success as so many other players on this list. Still, he brought fans out of their seats thanks to his offensive prowess. And for a while, he was one of only a few things that went right for the Wings.
15 - Brendan Shanahan
You want power forwards? Brendan Shanahan set the standard with toughness, enviable skill, and outright fearless play. He brought an edge to some of those championship teams when he arrived in 1996, and he may’ve been that final piece to those Cup-winning teams.
He scored some big goals when the Wings needed them, and he wasn’t afraid to take part in big fights. Everyone, from the teams he played for to the screaming fans, loved Shanny, and his blend of scoring and snarl made him one of the game’s most complete players.
14 - Sid Abel
A legend during the Original Six era, Abel was a member of that famed Production Line alongside Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay. By the time his playing days ended, Abel won three Cups and a Hart Trophy.
After his playing days ended, Abel coached and managed the Wings, laying the foundation for multiple eras of exciting hockey. You can easily call him one of the most influential figures in Red Wings history.
13. Marcel Pronovost
Pronovost played over 900 games in the winged wheel, anchoring the blue line until the mid-1960s. He won four Cups with the Wings and brought some serious grit.
Think of Pronovost as the Lidstrom before Lidstrom; an excellent player who always found himself in the right position. Pronovost may not get the spotlight he deserves in the same way as Lidstrom, but old-school fans and self-proclaimed Red Wings historians know how good he was.
12 - Jimmy Howard
The former goaltender often gets overlooked since he didn’t get a ton of ice time until after the Wings won their Cups. But talk about giving a team stability in the net through a transitional period.
Howard did just that, playing hard and sometimes through injuries, snagging a 0.915 save percentage and a 2.48 GAA with 24 shutouts between 2010 and 2018. The Wings may’ve declined around him, but Howard kept him competitive, never complaining and staying loyal even as the inevitable rebuild loomed.
11 - Red Kelly
Before he became an icon for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Red Kelly dominated on the Red Wings blue line. He won four Cups with Detroit and was one of the game's best early two-way blueliners.
You couldn’t match Kelly’s versatility in those days. He could play defense and forward, and he thrived at both. A gentleman on and off the ice, he helped define what it meant to play with class.
10 - Norm Ullman
An offensive force in the 1950s and ‘60s, Norm Ullman was one of the most consistent point producers out there. He had elite hands and put up 324 goals while wearing the winged wheel during his 13 seasons there, good for nearly 25 a year.
9 - Ted Lindsay
“Terrible Ted” was a pioneer on the ice as a fearless scorer and agitator. He helped form the NHLPA off the ice, while on it, he snagged four Cups and helped define what it meant to be a power forward despite his smaller size, thanks to his rough style of play.
8 - Terry Sawchuk
Some might call him the greatest goalie of his era, and they have a point. He won the Vezina four times (three with the Wings) and was the backbone for some of their greatest teams of the era.
His 85 shutouts are legendary, as was his toughness. You couldn’t get this guy out of the net even when he was hurt, and that inspired generations of incoming goaltenders.
7 - Henrik Zetterberg
For a former 210th overall pick, it’s fair to say Henrik Zetterberg had an outstanding career. The former Conn Smythe winner showcased a blend of skill, leadership, and defensive prowess, carrying the torch of greatness after Steve Yzerman’s and Nicklas Lidstrom’s playing days ended.
A lot of players, even great ones, may “take a shift off,” but Zetterberg wasn’t one of them. He was a great two-way player whose clutch scoring made him a fan favorite and one of the most respected captains in team history.
6 - Pavel Datsyuk
The “Magic Man” never failed to make jaws drop. His hands were alien; he displayed elite vision, and his three Selke Trophies drive home how good he was defensively. Datsyuk stole pucks left and right, whether defensively or in the faceoff circle.
He was a human highlight reel, so much that some may think he should be ranked higher. And they have a point. For a decade, Datsyuk was one of hockey’s most entertaining players and a cornerstone for the Red Wings 2008 Cup run.
5 - Sergei Fedorov
“Fed Ex” had a lethal combo of speed, skill, and strength, and few possessed those traits more. Federov could dominate the game in any zone, and he’s got a Hart and two Selke Trophies to his name to prove it.
Some may dock him for his controversial departure, but you can’t deny his impact during his days in the winged wheel. Federov was that generational talent who impacted the way forwards played the game, and his No. 5 ranking defines that legacy.
4 - Alex Delvecchio
I’ve always said I admire players the most who spend an entire career with one team, and Delvecchio was one of them. He played in over 1,500 games in the winged wheel, centering the second incarnation of that legendary Production Line and amassing 1,281 points in the process.
He wasn’t flashy, but wow, his longevity and production were hard to match. This guy was the Detroit Red Wings through and through in so many ways, and a true lifer who saw ice time for 24 seasons.
3 - Nicklas Lidstrom
The “Perfect Human,” Lidstrom redefined what it meant to be a defenseman as one of the greatest playmakers of his era. He won the Norris Trophy an unprecedented seven times and won four Cups - all in the winged wheel, which makes me respect him even more.
No, he wasn’t flashy, but nobody expected him to be. Positioning, poise, and perfection defined his game. And you can argue that, next to Bobby Orr, he may be the best blueliner to ever suit up in league history.
2 - Steve Yzerman
Nobody was the heart and soul of the Detroit Red Wings like Yzerman, and he played that role for over two decades. He played and led by example, and had more patience than just about everyone, lifting the Cup in 1997 after 14 long seasons.
Huh, no wonder Steve Yzerman the general manager is so patient, yeah? That patience might just be the reason behind his slow rebuild of the empire he once ruled. And if history ends up repeating itself, he’ll be the most respected Red Wing ever. No contest.
1 - Gordie Howe
Was there going to be anyone else other than Mr. Hockey? He set the gold standard for what it meant to be a Red Wing, I mean, the guy “only” won four Stanley Cups, six Hart Trophies, and, once upon a time, held the goal-scoring record while seemingly playing forever.
He was the prototype for complete forwards, thanks to his silky hands, brute strength, and aggressive demeanor. Oh, and he was the face of hockey during his greatest seasons, solidifying his spot at No. 1.
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