Mount Puckmore: The four faces of the Detroit Red Wings

[jeff48109 474]

Puck Daddy over at yahoo has been having a series this month called Mount Puckmore, featuring entries from writers representing each NHL team to select the 4 faces that define their franchise. The latest entry has George Malik and his 4 faces of the Red Wings.

4 faces of Detroit Red Wings

Malik selected Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Stevie Y, and Lidstrom.

When I initially saw this feature, i though Sawchuk would be in, ahead of Lindsay, but after reading Malik's piece i have to agree with him. A lot of great players, coach and owner left out, but only 4 could make it.

the only criticism is Malik saying Lidstrom has 5 Norris trophies, and not 6

Edited August 17, 2010 by jeff48109

[xtrememachine1 795]

I was actually thinking Sawchuk would be up there before Lidstrom, but I like it. Lids is one of the greatest defensemen ever and led a new generation of Red Wings to a Stanley Cup.

[McAwesome 754]

Great read, and while I agree with the OP about omitting Sawchuk in favor of Lindsay, I cannot fault the author's reasoning. I literally got goosebumps reading the section about Stevie Y, I knew how incredible he was but to see his accomplishments and sacrifice described so well in such a succinct manner is impressive. I am now and will always be proud to be from Detroit and a Red Wings fan. Now, the Lions on the other hand...

[zombi 43]

I knew that it was going to be tough considering the magnitude of players that there are to chose from, but I definitely can't fault the author for his choices.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

I thought it would have been Howe, Yzerman, Sawchuk & Ilitch... but I'm not complaining

[Cruiser008 37]

Good choices; well written article

[eva unit zero 271]

Howe, Yzerman, Lindsay, and Lidstrom...while there are so many you can choose from of incredible magnitude, that four is automatically selected, and here's why:

ly

Howe: Greatest player ever, and was a great all-around player.

Yzerman: The greatest captain ever, the face of the franchise, a historic Original Six franchise which had turned into a sad joke of a business was completely rebuilt around him, more than just on the ice.

Lindsay: He was, the best left winger ever, but more importantly he was almost singlehandedly responsible for the creation of the NHLPA.

Lidstrom: He is arguably one of the top three defensemen of all time, and he is the only European defenseman since Slava Fetisov to ever have his name mentioned around the West at that level. He has cleared the way for a new generation of great young European defensemen, something that might have never have been seen without Lidstrom.

[MulesWillFly93 199]

Those are the four I picked before reading the article, so I don't have much to disagree about. I was going back and forth between Sawchuk and Lidstrom, but I figure I get one biased pick, right? Anyway, Malik explained it better than I could have, as usual - good job! (Glad to see he's over at KK now, by the way.)

[titanium2 867]

What would be the opposite of that? Faces that were around for way too long. Willy, Bart Lebduh...?

[Slave 31]

you know you have a great organisation when guys like ilitch and sawchuk get left off the list

[wingnut40 176]

Honestly there's way too many to choose from. I was thinking Gordie and Stevie were given, but then there's Sawchuk, Lindsay, Mike Illitch, and Kenny Holland to name a few. And I got chills reading the Stevie part...

Bottom line: The Wings are just too awesome!

[Ozzie30 170]

Howe and Yzerman are gimme's which I should not have to explain on a Red Wings fan forum. Lidstrom is a genrational talent - you can argue the best ever, but imo, second best defensman ever behind Orr - you almost have no choice but to include him. Plug in anyone you want into that fourth spot.

My 4th spot choice: Mike Illitch

Reasoning: He's done more for this franchise and the city of Detroit than anyone in the last 25 years.

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

It's nice to be able to have had so many greats to argue over JUST 4 spots.

I would like to nominate Sergei Bautin and when you carve him into rock make sure he had the usual cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

As has been stated. Stevie and Mr. Hockey are absolutely without a doubt automatic. I do agree with the Ilitch idea too but Nick and Terrible Ted are excellent additions considering what they both have done for this franchise. Lidstrom arguably the greatest ever at his position and definitely in the last 25 years and Ted Lindsay is just Red Wings royalty as part of the greatest line in hockey history. It's definitely just that more amazing of a thing to think about when you try to do something like think of 4 people in Wings history for a "Mt. Puckmore". s***, we are lucky.

Edited August 17, 2010 by HankthaTank

[eva unit zero 271]

What would be the opposite of that? Faces that were around for way too long. Willy, Bart Lebduh...?

Jason Williams had his deficiencies, but he was still a very good player. He was a top line scoring forward in the best league in the world, he had a powerful shot and was a good as both a playmaker and a sniper. In Columbus he did well when asked to perform a much more single-minded role. His performance as an all-around forward was not world-class, but he is a more talented player than many who are still on the roster right now. He is gone because he wasn't able to translate his skills and to become a top-six all-around forward, which is what Detroit wanted him to do.

On the side, the question is, who needs an inexpensive top-six forward? Williams could very well end up in Chicago for a second term. He did well the last time, he can fit alongside Patrick Sharp or Dave Bolland quite nicely and his speed, shot, and playmaking would help their PP nicely. If I were Stan Bowman, I'd look at Williams for another winger.

It's nice to be able to have had so many greats to argue over JUST 4 spots.

I would like to nominate Sergei Bautin and when you carve him into rock make sure he had the usual cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

Cigarette, and snowboard pipe?

[Shady Ultima 40]

I have to wonder who they'll put for teams like Atlanta and Florida...

[Barrie 900]

I won't argue those four. Sawchuck, as great as he was, didn't play here long enough to be in the top four. He's fifth.

[Shady Ultima 40]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Mount-Puckmore-The-four-faces-of-the-Chicago-Bl?urn=nhl-260636

To read ours and compare to Chicago's is just hilarious. Ours is full of pride... theirs... full of depression.

I won't argue those four. Sawchuck, as great as he was, didn't play here long enough to be in the top four. He's fifth.

I thought Sawchuck played most of his career in Detroit, then 2 years in Toronto, and then was back on Detroit until he retired?

[Barrie 900]

I thought Sawchuck played most of his career in Detroit, then 2 years in Toronto, and then was back on Detroit until he retired?

Sawchuk

Yea most of his career was in Detroit, but he did also play in Boston and Toronto, and had cups of coffee in LA and NY. I don't want to take anything away from Terry, but he wasn't the same goalie when he came back to the Wings from Boston. Most of that could have been because of Adams, but Sawchuck's numbers weren't the same.

[titanium2 867]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Mount-Puckmore-The-four-faces-of-the-Chicago-Bl?urn=nhl-260636

To read ours and compare to Chicago's is just hilarious. Ours is full of pride... theirs... full of depression.

And they're an original six team too so there's no, "B-b-but the Wings have been around longer!"

Also, I mean, two owners? And Toews? Toews is definitely one of my favorite players in today's game but I really don't think he's worthy of puckmore status just yet.

[Shady Ultima 40]

Ah, it was Boston he played those two years for.

It seems that Adams was the reason that he lost some of what he was. Forcing him to lose weight seemed to have really effected him.

And I didn't know he played for LA for a season.

And they're an original six team too so there's no, "B-b-but the Wings have been around longer!"

Also, I mean, two owners? And Toews? Toews is definitely one of my favorite players in today's game but I really don't think he's worthy of puckmore status just yet.

I think it's sad, because they HAVE the history there. The guy who wrote that probably didn't even know who the Blackhawks were 5 years ago.

Edited August 18, 2010 by Shady Ultima

[Barrie 900]

Also, I mean, two owners? And Toews? Toews is definitely one of my favorite players in today's game but I really don't think he's worthy of puckmore status just yet.

Right, I'm not a Blackhawk expert, but wouldn't their four be Hull, Mikita, Esposito, and Hall? Hall is debatable, but Hull, Mikita, and Tony Espo are a no brainer!

It's just to soon for Toews.

[titanium2 867]

Someone on HF had a good idea to give the Wings a 1B Puckmore and that it would be all guys behind the bench.

Ilitch

Bowman

Holland

and one of Devellano, Nill, James Norris, maybe Hakan Andersson, etc. Even when it comes to management we have a lot to pick from.

[Barrie 900]

Mount Puckmore

For fun, here's more teams. It includes Montreal, Boston, Colorado, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and more. We're still waiting on Toronto, NYR, Edmonton, etc.

[titanium2 867]

The one for the Avs doesn't surprise me much. Adam Foote though is probably the guy you could interchange with perhaps a few others.