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Detroit Red Wings: 1990-99 All-Decade Team

By Mike Rizzo

Apr 17, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Al the Octopus is lowered to the ice during pregame ceremonies prior to game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Al the Octopus is lowered to the ice during pregame ceremonies prior to game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Second Defensive Pairing

Vladimir Konstantinov: Konstantinov was a player who had his career tragically cut short after the 1997 season due to injuries he suffered as a passenger in a limousine shortly after winning the Stanley Cup. When he played, he was a stud. He was a hard hitting defenseman that would crush an opposing player with his head down crossing center ice. Kostantinov in today’s game most likely would’ve had a few suspensions. My personal opinion is that Konstantinov was headed to having a Hall of Fame career. His life was forever changed because of that senseless limo accident.

Viacheslav Fetisov: The last player who made up the famed Russian Five. Fetisov was nicknamed “Papa Bear” because he was one of the older players on the Red Wings. He also got a late start in the NHL. The Red Wings were the first team to really draft and sign Russian players. Fetisov played four solid seasons with the Red Wings winning two Stanley Cups. He was also injured in that limo accident but nowhere near as badly as Konstantinov. When the Red Wings move into their new arena in 2017-18, they need to find a way to honor the Russian Five.

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