The Detroit Red Wings are one of the most storied franchises in NHL history. With a legacy that includes 11 Stanley Cups and countless Hall of Fame players, the team has long been a symbol of excellence, tradition, and toughness in the NHL. Choosing an all-time Red Wings roster is no easy task—so many legends have worn the winged wheel. But here is our 16-man dream team: the greatest Red Wings of all time at center, wing, defense, and goaltender, plus the coach who led many of them to glory.
Gordie Howe
“Mr. Hockey” is the most iconic Red Wing of all time. Gordie Howe spent 25 seasons with Detroit, winning four Stanley Cups (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955) and capturing six Hart Trophies as league MVP. His combination of scoring, physical play, and longevity set the gold standard. With 786 goals and 1,809 points in the NHL, Howe was the original power forward and remains a defining symbol of Detroit hockey.
Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman captained the Red Wings for an NHL-record 20 seasons and helped bring the franchise back to prominence. A three-time Stanley Cup champion (1997, 1998, 2002), Yzerman transformed from a high-flying scorer to a complete two-way player under Scotty Bowman. He recorded 692 goals and 1,755 points, and his leadership remains a blueprint for greatness. “The Captain” is synonymous with class, grit, and success in Hockeytown.
Nicklas Lidström
Perhaps the greatest defenseman of his generation, Nicklas Lidström spent his entire 20-year career in Detroit. A seven-time Norris Trophy winner and four-time Stanley Cup champion, Lidström was a master of positioning, vision, and calm under pressure. He became the first European-born captain to win the Stanley Cup and is second in games played in Red Wings history. His elegance and consistency defined an era.
Terry Sawchuk
Terry Sawchuk is widely regarded as one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history. He won three Stanley Cups with Detroit (1952, 1954, 1955) and captured the Calder Trophy in 1951. Sawchuk led the league in shutouts and goals-against average multiple times and retired with 103 shutouts—many of them in the Winged Wheel. His fearless, often mask-less play embodied the rugged spirit of early NHL goaltending.
Sergei Fedorov
One of the most electrifying players to ever wear the Red Wings sweater, Sergei Fedorov was a true game-changer. The Russian superstar won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1994 and helped Detroit capture three Stanley Cups. Fedorov was an elite forward who could dominate at both ends of the ice, and even played defense when called upon. He recorded 400 goals and 954 points as a Red Wing.
Alex Delvecchio
A model of consistency, Alex Delvecchio played 24 seasons with Detroit and was a key part of the team’s 1950s dynasty. He centered lines with Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay and finished with 1,281 points, the second-most in franchise history at the time of his retirement. A three-time Stanley Cup champion and three-time Lady Byng winner, Delvecchio was the definition of quiet excellence.
Ted Lindsay
“Ted Terrible” was a fierce competitor, brilliant left winger, and union pioneer. Ted Lindsay won four Stanley Cups in the 1950s and led the NHL in scoring in 1950. He formed part of the famed “Production Line” with Howe and Delvecchio, and was known for his physical style and willingness to fight for players’ rights. His #7 hangs proudly in the rafters at Little Caesars Arena.
Pavel Datsyuk
A magician with the puck and one of the best two-way forwards in NHL history, Pavel Datsyuk dazzled fans for over a decade in Detroit. He won back-to-back Selke Trophies as the NHL’s top defensive forward and was part of the 2008 Stanley Cup championship team. Known for his “Datsyukian dekes,” he was a true artist on ice, blending skill, vision, and defensive responsibility like few others.
Henrik Zetterberg
Henrik Zetterberg was one of the most dependable players of his era. He served as captain from 2012 to 2018 and helped lead the Wings to the 2008 Stanley Cup, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Zetterberg posted over 960 career points and was revered for his leadership, complete game, and clutch performances in the postseason.
Brendan Shanahan
Brendan Shanahan brought grit and goals to the Red Wings during their late-90s dynasty. A key piece of three Stanley Cup winners, Shanahan scored 309 goals with Detroit and combined physical play with scoring touch. He was a seven-time 30-goal scorer in Hockeytown and helped give the team an intimidating edge up front.
Chris Osgood
A three-time Stanley Cup winner with Detroit, Chris Osgood was one of the most underrated goalies of his generation. He finished his career with 401 wins and a 2.49 goals-against average. Osgood was especially brilliant during the 1998 and 2008 Cup runs and remains near the top of every major franchise goaltending category.
Marcel Dionne
While Marcel Dionne is best known for his time with the Kings, his NHL career began in Detroit. In four seasons with the Wings, Dionne averaged over a point per game and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic offensive forces. He would go on to record 1,771 career points and become one of the NHL’s all-time greats.
Norm Ullman
An all-time great two-way center, Norm Ullman tallied 324 goals and 758 points in 11 seasons with the Red Wings. He was named to seven All-Star teams while in Detroit and was renowned for his skating, balance, and consistency. Ullman ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in points and was a fixture during the 1950s and ’60s.
Red Kelly
Before becoming a Hall of Fame defenseman and later a star center in Toronto, Red Kelly starred on the Detroit blue line for 13 seasons. He won four Stanley Cups with the Red Wings and was the first recipient of the Norris Trophy in 1954. A brilliant puck mover and thinker, Kelly was one of the game’s first offensive-minded defensemen.
Vladimir Konstantinov
Though his career was tragically cut short, Vladimir Konstantinov made a huge impact during his time in Detroit. Known for his punishing physical style and elite defensive instincts, Konstantinov helped the Red Wings end their Cup drought in 1997. He was a +60 that season and earned First-Team All-Star honors. His story remains one of the most emotional in franchise history.
Chris Chelios
Chris Chelios brought leadership, edge, and Hall of Fame pedigree to the Red Wings blue line after arriving in 1999. He played until age 47 and helped the team win two Stanley Cups. A three-time Norris Trophy winner, Chelios became a key presence in the locker room and a defensive stalwart deep into his 40s.
Head Coach: Scotty Bowman
The greatest coach in NHL history, Scotty Bowman led the Red Wings from 1993 to 2002, capturing three Stanley Cups (1997, 1998, 2002). His ability to manage egos, develop young stars, and make tactical adjustments was unmatched. Bowman won nine Cups in total as a head coach and helped mold Detroit into a modern dynasty.
From the “Production Line” to the Russian Five, from the blue-collar toughness of the ’50s to the skill-laden teams of the late ’90s and early 2000s, the Detroit Red Wings All-Time Team is a tribute to decades of excellence. These players and coaches helped turn the Winged Wheel into one of the NHL’s most revered emblems—and their legacy continues to inspire the next generation of Red Wings.
