Detroit Red Wings: 1990-99 All-Decade Team
By Mike Rizzo
First Line
Center – Steve Yzerman: I said in my 2000-09 team that Yzerman was slowing down in that decade but in the 1990’s, Stevie was arguably one of the best players in the entire National Hockey League. When Scotty Bowman took over the Red Wings after the 1994 season, Yzerman became more of a defensive forward. Here is how much Steve Yzerman meant to this team and the city of Detroit; he was supposedly on the trade block with rumors of him going to Ottawa and the fans on opening night booed Scotty Bowman and gave Yzerman a standing ovation while chanting “Stevie, Stevie”.
Right Wing – Ray Sheppard: Some younger Red Wing fans may not remember him but in his five years with the Red Wings he was a pure goal scorer for them. Sheppard never scored less than 30 goals in any of his four full season as a Red Wing. In his time in Detroit, he scored 152 of his 357 career goals.
Left Wing – Brendan Shanahan: A key piece to this team in the 1996-97 season, Brendan Shanahan was acquired from the Hartford Whalers for Keith Primeau and Paul Coffey. Shanahan gave the Red Wings exactly what they needed; goals. In his first season with the Red Wings, Shanahan scored 46 goals. He also added grit to a team that was lacking it.
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