Detroit Red Wings: 1990-99 All-Decade Team
By Mike Rizzo
Fourth Line
Center – Igor Larionov: Nicknamed “The Professor”, Larionov was one of the smartest players in the NHL. When he came to the Red Wings in the 1995-96 season, he became the fifth Russian player on the Red Wings. That made him the final piece of the famed “Russian Five”, also consisting of Fedorov, Kozlov, and two defensemen which I will get to later. Having Pavel Datsyuk learn from Larionov in the two seasons they played together had to do wonders for Pavel’s career.
Right Wing – Martin Lapointe: Not only was Lapointe a pest to play against he was also able to put the puck in the net. From the 1996-97 season until his last season in Detroit, he was always above 10 goals or more in every one of them. He had two great playoff runs with the Red Wings including a memorable opening goal against the Avalanche in Game 6 of the 1997 Conference Finals.
Left Wing – Doug Brown: He was so well liked by the Red Wings that when he was selected by the Nashville Predators back in the 1998 expansion drafts the Red Wings traded to get him back a month later. He could score when needed but as fellow Detroit Jock City writer Erik Schlitt said “He had a knack for elevating Sergei Fedorov more than anyone could”. Doug Brown was definitely a sleeper for the Red Wings.
Next: First Defensive Pairing