The Best Detroit Red Wings Player to Never Win the Stanley Cup (But Should’ve)

[Mr. Met]

Alright, HFWings, let’s talk about one of the most tragic injustices in hockey history: the Detroit Red Wings player who was too good for a cup.

We all know Detroit’s rich history of greatness. Cups galore, banners in the rafters, players who could make you believe in magic (and power plays that would make a Calvinist question their faith). But there’s one player who was this close to a ring. Who was the best Red Wing to never win a Stanley Cup, despite being completely deserving?

Let’s start the debate. My pick is:

Justin Abdelkader – The man was an absolute machine. He could skate like a gazelle, shoot like he had a rocket launcher, and backcheck like a bouncer at a nightclub.

Abdelkader deserves better!

Who’s your pick for the best Red Wing to never win the Cup?

Click to read more...

 

[RabidBadger]

I'm going to recheck this thread tomorrow. Right now I'm pretty sure I'm having an lsd flashback after the 1st post.

 

[GMR]

Norm Ullman is the easy answer.

 

[Mr. Met]

Norm Ullman is the easy answer.

Good answer, but I think if you put him on the ice against Abdelkader 1v1 he would lose 100% of the time.

 

[simonedvinsson]

It's a tough call between Detroit legends Curtis Joseph and Daniel Alfredsson.

 

[cjm502]

Before clicking on the thread I had a name in mind but after reading the first post I'm at a loss for words

 

[Air Budd Dwyer]

Dionne?
Ciccarelli?

 

[GMR]

Dionne?
Ciccarelli?

Dionne would be a good answer but he didn’t play that long in Detroit. And the team was no good.

Ullman played for so many Cup losing teams in his career. I believe he lost something like 6 Finals. He joined the Wings right after their 50s dynasty ended and joined the Leafs right after their 60s dynasty ended. Hard luck.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Gallant?

 

[Snuggs]

Dino Ciccarelli

 

[saska sault]

Alfredsson, CuJo? First ones that come to mind

 

[heyfolks]

Dino
Dionne
M. Howe

 

[Gniwder]

Dylan Larkin

 

[Snuggs]

Dylan Larkin

Lol, straight up.

If he doesn't win one here or anywhere else it'll be a shame. He'll be a guy like Mats Sundin(deserves it for not coming to the Wings) and Patrick Marleau.

 

[Ulysses31]

thought abdelkader won but was mistaken, played 2 games regular in 08 n "was part of celebration".

has a page in his children's book hoisting cup.

 

[jkutswings]

Justin Abdelkader – The man was an absolute machine. He could skate like a gazelle, shoot like he had a rocket launcher, and backcheck like a bouncer at a nightclub.

Let's run through possible explanations here:

1) It's not April Fools Day.
2) We haven't entered The Twilight Zone.
3) Doctor Strange hasn't stopped by lately with an update on the multiverse.

Yeah, I've got no reason for why you might have made those statements.

 

[Gniwder]

Lol, straight up.

If he doesn't win one here or anywhere else it'll be a shame. He'll be a guy like Mats Sundin(deserves it for not coming to the Wings) and Patrick Marleau.

#13 in points as a Wing
#16 in games played

Everyone above him on both lists either won a Cup or played before my time. Anyone my age or younger, there's no other name in both lists that sticks out as much. Makes waaaaay more sense than Abby. (If we're talking historical players, probably Ullman, but that was before my time.)

As for players that never played for the Wings, my #1 is Mike Gartner. He stopped by my junior high school to play floor hockey with us. I remember how he said floor hockey is so much tougher than ice hockey.

#2 is Adam Oates, he also played for the Caps. Pollin didn't want to spend enough to make the team a contender. He never should have been traded from the Wings.

#3 is Dino, since he also played for the Caps and WIngs.

Outside the Wings and Caps, I'd say Iginla. Same situation as Larkin, spent his prime trying to carry a crappy organization on his back. Felt sorry for him like I feel sorry for Larkin. I'm sure the money dulls the pain though, lol.

 

[PelagicJoe]

Bob Probert
Dylan Larkin
Mark Howe
Dino C
Marcel Dionne

 

[SirloinUB]

Legit, Dylan Larkin was the first name to come to mind at this point.

Edit: He's not really thought of as a "Red Wing" but its too bad things didn't work out differently with Adam Oates.

 

[RRhoads]

Ray Sheppard

 

[Konnan511]

Tim Cheveldae
Robert Lang
Mathieu Schneider (won a cup, but not with the Wings)

 

[Reality Check]

Probert is easily the most popular player.

Best player is another discussion.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Dionne for sure. Probert would be cool.

No thanks on Dino.

 

[OldnotDeadWings]

Excluding players not primarily identified as Wings (M.Howe, Dino, Dionne, etc.): 1. Ullman;; 2. Larkin;; 3..Reed Larson;; 4..Gary Bergman;; 5. Gallant

 

[SoupNazi]

On the basis of the OP...

Jan Mursak.