Detroit Red Wings All-Time Team and Line Combinations
Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman stands sixth all time in NHL scoring, and second in Detroit Red Wings franchise history, with 1755 points. Yzerman spent 20 seasons (86-06) as the Red Wing’s captain, an American professional sports record.
Drafted fourth overall in the 1983 NHL Draft, Stevie “the Wonder” Yzerman burst onto the scene during the 1983-84 season, scoring 87 points (39 G, 48 A) in his first 80 games . In the 1988-89 season, Yzerman collected 155 points (65 G, 90 A); the most in a single season by any player not named Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux.
Yzerman’s leadership, winning attitude, and cannon shot made him a legend amongst Detroit sports fans. From his series ending goal against the Wayne Gretzky led St Louis Blues in 1996, to skating Vladimir Konstantinov around the ice with the Cup in 1998; Yzerman graced the NHL with many memorable moments.
Any time Yzerman was in the building, you just knew the fans would blow the roof off the Joe. And why wouldn’t they? Every Yzerman possession was an event in and of itself. While Yzerman may not be the greatest Red Wing of all-time, he is arguably the most beloved. This may partially be due to the fact he captained the team to three Stanley Cup Championships; however even beyond his success, Yzerman was just an exciting and charismatic player to watch.
Yzerman’s hockey acumen does not just end on the ice; he’s also one of the best general managers in hockey. Under his tutelage, the Tampa Bay Lightning have reached the Stanley Cup Final (2015) and the Eastern Conference Final (2016) in the past two seasons.