A Recap Of The Detroit Red Wings For The Past Decade

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Wings are probably the hardest team in this decade to culminate a roster for. There's two era's for the Wing's in this decade pre and post lock-out. Both are highly successful with a hint of letdown's for wing fans, other franchises they would be accomplishments. One thing about the wings have been no matter what they've been Stanley Cup contenders every single season this decade. One of the main reasons for this is they draft well and are careful to how they sign free agents. They don't go for the biggest name or one dimensional players. Every player they draft or sign they do it as they see that player would be a certain puzzle piece to the great picture, as well as if they level of skill fits into their system that has been very strict since Scotty Bowman became head coach in 1993-1994 to now 7 years after he retired from coaching.

If they don't win a cup, the season is considered a let down. There's more pressure to play in Detroit for the past 20 years than it has been in Montreal. While they're not as followed off ice in Detroit as they are in Montreal, there's a much higher level of competitiveness to play at every single year. One thing though, almost every year, critics have said this is the year of the downfall for the Red Wings. Sure they've had their upsets, first round loses to Los Angeles in 2001 (last time they made the playoffs by the way) Anaheim in 2003, and Edmonton in 2006. The Wings have had a lot of big names to wear the winged wheel in this decade but having a name won't get you on the list. Neither will a year or two of good seasons, or just numbers. This list is a compilation of the best and most important players to wear the Wing's jersey. This list goes by the best/important in each position by line, not point totals or Chemistry (Although the way Ken Holland Drafts or signs free agents all the lines here would work well together).

Line 1: LW Brendan Shanahan Center Steve Yzerman RW Brett Hull.

Brendan Shanahan is one of the best left wingers to ever play for the Red Wings, While I, myself hated Shanahan because he demanded a trade after one year from Hartford, I was still sad to see him leave at the end of the 2005-2006 season. I've been watching the Red Wings since I started playing hockey. I was distraught at the sweep in 95 and the failure in 96 to repeat to the finals after breaking the regular season record for most wins. But It was Shanahan who was the missing piece that won them their first cup in 42 seasons. That is why I was sad to see him leave. He was vital player from his whole stint from 96-07 to 2005-2006. He scored 210 goals from 1999-2000 to 2005-2006 in the regular season. That's very impressive when you consider that he was 31 years old when the decade started as well as 1999-2000 to 2003-2004 was the height of the dead puck era. No Red Wing has scored more goals in this decade than him, Shanahan was a very rare and unique player. He was a physical force, goal scorer, and a leader. While also having a plus 105 rating.

Steve Yzerman not only is the number 1 center for this decade, he is also all time. No player in Wings history besides Gordie Howe has done as much as Yzerman has. While this decade was the tail end of his career and his body was as well breaking down and playing very limited, he is still the best center on the decade. While he wasn't the force offensively as he was in the 80's and 90's, he still was the most effective overall. He was still one of the best two way centers and dominant in the face off circle. He played whatever role was needed of him. In the beginning he split much of his time on the right wing being centered by Sergei Fedorov with Shanahan on the left and towards the end of his career played on the checking line with Draper and Maltby. His leadership is matched by only a few in the history of the NHL

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