The 2026-27 regular season for the Detroit Red Wings begins this Friday (Oct. 2) at home at Little Ceasars Arena against the New York Rangers. To celebrate the new season, here’s our look back on the essential moments in Red Wings history, from championship runs to other lower-profile, but still important parts of this legendary franchise.
The 4-Cup Era of Gordie Howe
The legend and lore of the Red Wings has a lot to do with the Gordie Howe era from 1950 to 1966, which yielded four Stanley Cup championships. Of course, Howe wasn’t the only legend from this era. There was also Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay, who formed the Production Line with Howe. On top of that, this era also featured Alex Delvecchio, Red Kelly, and Terry Sawchuk. The numbers worn by all of the aforementioned players have been retired by the Red Wings.
Ted Lindsay co-founds first NHL Players Association
In a city with a history of unions and championing workers’ rights, it feels rather appropriate that a member of the Detroit Red Wings helped found the first NHL Players Association. Lindsay may have been punished for forming the NHLPA by being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, but what he did allowed generations of NHL players to negotiate life-changing salaries and better working conditions.
Gordie Howe returns to Detroit for the 1980 NHL All-Star Game, receives minutes-long standing ovation
In his final NHL season at age 51, Howe returned to Detroit as a member of the Hartford Whalers for the 1980 NHL All-Star Game. As the rosters were announced at the newly-opened Joe Louis Arena, Howe was saved for last, and the way the crowd reacts is so incredibly moving. Seriously, watch this moment, try not to feel feelings, and also marvel at how there were no ads on the boards.
The Russian Five
Part secret-service level espionage and part shrewd hockey sense, the Russian Five and their story changed the NHL forever. It started with Soviet star Sergei Fedorov, who was taken in the fourth round of the 1989 draft, and the other pieces quickly fell into place. The Red Wings would go on to acquire Slava Fetisov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Slava Kozlov, and Igor Larionov, completing the Russian Five.
Fight Night at the Joe
The collective revenge Darren McCarty and the Red Wings took on Claude Lemieux and the Colorado Avalanche is actually quite beautiful. The violent night of March 26, 1997 at Joe Louis Arena was in response to an absolutely brutal check Lemieux levied on Kris Draper during Game 6 of the 1996 Western Conference Finals. Draper sustained so many injuries from his face going into the boards that he needed his jaw wired shut and reconstructive surgery. Sure, this night was payback, but more than anything, it was also about friendship and brotherhood. Again, it was quite beautiful.
Red Wings sweep the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals, win first Cup since 1955
After a devastating sweep in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1995, the series in 1997 felt like destiny and like all of the stars finally aligned, especially with Darren McCarty’s highlight reel, game-winning goal in Game 4. The joy and relief of seeing Steve Yzerman lift the Cup grinning ear-to-ear is a core memory for every Red Wings fan who watched this moment live.
“Believe”: Wings repeat Stanley Cup Champs inspired by Vladimir Konstantinov
Vlad the Impaler’s name wasn’t even engraved on the 1997 Stanley Cup before tragedy struck, and Konstantinov’s playing days were over. The Red Wings played the rest of the season with Vladdie in their hearts, and a rock etched with “Believe” in his locker. The Red Wings made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they swept the Washington Capitals to win their second Cup in a row. When the celebrations began, Konstantinov was on the ice with his team, right where he belonged.
The 2001-02 Red Wings (aka: Remember when there wasn’t a salary cap in the NHL?)
After being bounced early from the 2001 Stanley Cup playoffs, Mike Ilitch basically gave his wallet to general manager Ken Holland and said, “Go nuts!” Holland signed Dominik Hasek, Brett Hull, and Luc Robitaille during the offseason, and it was abundantly clear the Wings were chasing a Cup, which they won. At the time, this team on paper was sick, but in the years since, it’s mind-blowing just how many Hall of Famers there were on the roster.
|
|
|
|
|
|
