Detroit Red Wings All-Time Team and Line Combinations
Sid Abel
The Detroit Red Wings have had a ton of great centers; and that makes Sid Abel a judgement call. So why did Abel make the cut over more talented players such as Marcel Dionne and Alex Delvecchio? Three words: The Production Line.
The Production Line consisted of Abel, Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay, and was the easily most dominant line in hockey during late 40’s and throughout the 50’s.
Abel was the weak link of the three players in the Production Line, yet he was no slouch. In fact, during the first few years of the Production line, he outperformed Gordie Howe . The 1948-49 season saw Abel lead the Red Wings in points, as the team went on to lose in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Maple Leafs.
12 seasons and 570 games with the Red Wings, the Farmington Hills native recorded 463 points, three Stanley Cups, and one Hart Trophy. Abel was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.