With Fedorov’s No. 91 set to be retired, the Red Wings’ centennial season raises the question of which legends might be next.
With Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91 officially rising to the rafters at Little Caesars Arena this upcoming season, the Detroit Red Wings will have honored another of their countless living legends. Fedorov’s jersey retirement was long overdue as a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the team and was the player fans had been waiting to have his number retired for some time. The next question for Red Wings historians is: who’s next?
Several iconic players have proudly worn the Winged Wheel, yet their numbers still haven’t been raised to the rafters. Detroit legends like Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, Gordie Howe, and now Sergei Fedorov have all received the honor, but a handful of other Red Wings greats remain in waiting.
With the team celebrating its centennial season, more legendary names are likely to be revisited and perhaps finally recognized by the organization.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Henrik Zetterberg – No. 40
At the top of the list is Henrik Zetterberg, the longtime captain and face of the franchise during its transition from perennial contender to rebuilding club. A 2008 Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Zetterberg was the epitome of consistency and leadership.
He spent his entire 15-year NHL career in Detroit, totaling 960 points in 1,082 games and serving as captain from 2013 until his retirement in 2018. His work ethic and loyalty have kept him beloved in Hockeytown, and fans frequently speculate when his number will join the others in the rafters.
Odds: Very High
"He Needs To Drag This Team To The Playoffs": Dylan Larkin Directly Challenged By NHL Insider There is no player on the Detroit Red Wings who wants more badly to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs more than team captain Dylan Larkin.
Pavel Datsyuk – No. 13
If Fedorov’s number can be retired despite a complicated departure from Detroit, then Pavel Datsyuk’s No. 13 deserves serious consideration. The “Magic Man” dazzled with his jaw-dropping skill, uncanny defensive play, and infectious personality. His ability to deke and move the puck past defenders with his elite stick play changed the way hockey was played into more of a finesse game.
Datsyuk won two Stanley Cups in 2002 and 2008, three Selke Trophies as the league's best defensive forward, and was a four-time Lady Byng winner. He tallied 918 points in 953 games, and his legacy being remembered as the player to produce the most highlight reel goals in league history.
Odds: Very High
Chris Osgood – No. 30
A three-time Stanley Cup champion and longtime goaltender for the Wings, Chris Osgood’s place in team history is significant as one of the franchise's best netminders. His 401 career wins (317 with Detroit) and playoff heroics, include his stellar play during Detroit's runs to Stanley Cups in 1998 and 2008. Osgood’s critics often attributed his success to playing behind a powerhouse blueline, pointing to the fact that he never won the Vezina Trophy as evidence.
However, it's difficult to overlook his ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most. From 1993 to 2011, Osgood recorded 74 playoff wins, the third most during that span, along with an impressive 2.09 goals against average. He also made 2,918 playoff saves, more than elite goaltenders like Dominik Hasek and Curtis Joseph, ranking fourth overall in that period.
Odds: Moderate
Bring Back Fabbri? Red Wings Weigh Options for Top Line LW SpotAs training camp nears, the Detroit Red Wings face a crucial decision of who will fill in as the first-line left wing.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites.