Detroit Red Wings: Top 10 Checking Forwards of All Time

When I think checking forward, two things come to my mind.

First, is a player who is responsible for shutting down the opponents’ top player. Second is a player who is responsible defensively, knows when to throw the game changing hits, is not afraid to block shots and can create turnovers.

This column will look at the top 10 checking forwards who have played for the Detroit Red Wings.  It will not necessarily be the top players to ever play on the third/checking line, but rather the players you would want on the ice against the opposing teams’ top players.

Honorable mentions go to Igor Larionov, Sheldon Kennedy, Joey Kocur, Mike Sillinger and Darren McCarty.

Aaron Brouwer is the co-creator of www.fantasyhockeycoach.com. FHC is a free fantasy hockey service that developed a ranking system combining post-lockout statistics, current factors and our own hockey knowledge. Brouwer writes about fantasy hockey on Bleacher Report. You can contact Coach Brouwer at [e-mail].

10. Kirk Maltby

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NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 5: Kirk Maltby #18 of the Detroit Red Wings checks Mark Fraser #2 of the New Jersey Devils during the third period on December 5, 2009 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

A member of the “Grind Line,” Kirk Maltby was a hard worker who, according to The Hockey News, “knew how to take opposing players off their game.” 

That’s the role of a checking forward, a player that can get opposing players so frustrated that they don’t play to their level. Maltby would kill penalties and was counted on to give the team a boost when they needed it. 

Maltby won four Stanley Cups with Detroit.

9. Darren Helm

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 18: Shane Doan #19 of the Phoenix Coyotes passes the puck under pressure from Darren Helm #43 of the Detroit Red Wings in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena

Darren Helm is the Red Wings' current checking forward, and it looks like he will fit right into the Red Wings philosophy.

Helm is one of the most exciting Red Wings to watch as he is a very fast skater who works very hard every time he steps onto the ice. Helm played a huge role in the Wings' 2007-08 Cup, where as a rookie, he played more playoff games than regular season games.  

To show the kind of character this kid has, he played in all 18 playoff games on the way to a Stanley Cup that season, then started the next season in the AHL; however, he never complained about it. He bought into the Wings system and now is a key member of this franchise. He will develop into a Kris Draper-type of player.

8. Kris Draper

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 20: Kyle Turris #91 of the Phoenix Coyotes skates with the puck under pressure from Kris Draper #33 of the Detroit Red Wings in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com

Kris Draper embraced the role as a checking line forward. He along with Kirk Maltby and Darren McCarty formed the “Grind Line.” The “Grind Line” got their nickname because they would grind and wear out their opponents. 

Draper would kill penalties and brought up the energy level every time he stepped on the ice.  Draper is so good as a checking forward that he was selected for Canada’s Olympic team to play that role in 2006.

Draper won one Selke Trophy and four Stanley Cups.

7. Gordie Howe

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MONTREAL- DECEMBER 4: Gordie Howe speaks to fans during the Centennial Celebration ceremonies prior to the NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins on December 4, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeat

Gordie Howe got the nickname “Mr. Hockey” because he would do everything and was great at it all.

His name is constantly in the talk of greatest of all-time, not only would Howe beat you on the score sheet, but because he would physically beat down his opponents, too. He was not afraid to throw the elbows or drop the gloves. 

Howe recorded 1850 NHL points and 1685 NHL PIM, and won four Stanley Cups. 

6. Henrik Zetterberg

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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 08: Henrik Zetterberg #40 of the Detroit Red Wings and Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks go for the puck in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion on May 8, 2011 in

The Red Wings drafting philosophy is to draft players with great hockey sense, and Henrik Zetterberg is loaded with it. Zetterberg is one of the best two-way forwards in the league today. 

It’s rare to see a team’s top players killing penalties, but that is what both Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk can do it. 

Zetterberg showed he can score 90-plus points and can take care of things in his own end. Just imagine his point totals if he wasn’t so defensive-minded. 

Versatile players like Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Darren Helm are the reasons why the Red Wings remain a dominate team year in and year out.

5. Ted Lindsay

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DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 18: Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay waves to the crowd prior to start of game between the Detroit Red Wings and the New York Rangers on October 18, 2008 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Red Wings defeated the Ra

Ted Lindsay scored 851 points and racked up over 1800 PIM in 1068 games. 

Lindsay had a reputation for meanness, which led to the nickname “Terrible.” Thanks to Lindsay’s rough play, the NHL had to create penalties for elbowing and kneeing. 

Lindsay won four Stanley Cups.

4. Steve Yzerman

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LOS ANGELES - MARCH 10: Steve Yzerman #19 of the Detroit Red Wings takes a face off against the Los Angeles Kings on March 10, 2003 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images/NHLI)

Steve Yzerman was the third wheel in the late 80s, battling Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux for scoring titles. It wasn’t until he became one of the best two-way centers in the game that the Stanley Cups started to pour in. 

Yzerman was the ultimate team leader, as he could score points and would shut down the opposing team’s top line. Yzerman led by example and wasn’t afraid to block shots, but unfortunately, injuries slowed his career. 

Yzerman won one Selke trophy and was a valuable asset for three Stanley Cups and an Olympic Gold Medal.

3. Sergei Fedorov

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SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 1: Western Conference competitor Sergei Fedorov #91 of the Detroit Red Wings races up the ice in the Fastest Skater event during the Dodge SuperSkills competition, part of 53rd NHL All-Star Weekend presented by Nextel, at the Offic

During the mid-90s Sergei Fedorov was the game’s best two-way player in the world.

Fedorov won two Selke trophies and a Hart trophy, showing that he could be counted on at both ends of the ice. Fedorov's skating and hockey sense allowed him to see plays as they were unfolding and know when to step up for the steal. 

Fedorov was a defensive force his whole career, so much so that he even played a little defense and was a key member of two Red Wings Stanley Cups. 

2. Marty Pavelich

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DETROIT - MAY 25: Marty Pavelich speaks to the media during Salute to Stanley Cup Legends at the Renaissance Center, as the NHL honors members of the Detroit Red Wings dynasty that won four Stanley Cups in a six-year stretch from 1950 to 1955.May 25, 2008

You’re asking who? 

Marty Pavelich played in the 50s. He put up respectable offensive numbers, was an NHL All-Star four times and won four Stanley Cups.  He was the Kris Draper of his era; his job was to shut down the opposing team’s top scorer. 

Pavelich was so good at his job that Stan Fischler ranked him fourth overall as best defensive forward of all-time in his book Hockey’s 100: A Personal Ranking of the Best Players in Hockey History. Fischler wrote “Pavelich was a slithery center who tormented the foe with his tenacious checking.”

1. Pavel Datsyuk

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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 01: Pavel Datsyuk #13 of the Detroit Red Wings hits Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion on May 1, 2011 in San Jose, Californi

The Red Wings continue to prove that they can be a dominating team by asking their superstar players to be defensively responsible. 

There is no doubt that Pavel Datsyuk has elite offensive skill, scoring 90-plus points on more than one occasion, and on any other team he probably would be a consistent threat for NHL scoring leader.

The Red Wings have no problem matching first line against first line because they know Datsyuk is an elite defensive forward. 

Datsyuk is the reigning Selke trophy winner and has been for the last three years.