Several of the most legendary players in NHL history have proudly worn the Red Wings’ winged wheel jersey, and throughout the years, fans of the Detroit Red Wings have counted themselves among the luckiest in professional sports. While many fanbases yearn just to see their team capture the Stanley Cup once, the Red Wings clinched it four times in just 11 years—from 1997 to 2008. Although a different outcome in a pivotal 2009 Game 7 at Joe Louis Arena could have changed history, this story remains a significant chapter in Red Wings lore.
Icons such as Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg spent their entire NHL careers with Detroit, never playing for another team. Additionally, other celebrated figures contributed to Detroit’s Stanley Cup-winning teams after starting their careers elsewhere.
For ongoing updates, game day coverage, and player insights, bookmark the Hockey News Detroit Red Wings Steam Site.
Here are four notable players who joined the Red Wings after beginning their NHL journeys with other teams:
Brendan Shanahan
One of Detroit’s most reliable goal scorers over the past three decades, Shanahan launched his NHL career after being picked second overall by the New Jersey Devils in 1987. He later joined the St. Louis Blues in 1991, where he blossomed, scoring over 50 goals in consecutive seasons. After a short stint with the Hartford Whalers, Detroit acquired Shanahan in October 1996, just minutes before a home opener against the Edmonton Oilers. Shanahan delivered 47 goals in his first season with Detroit and played a key role in winning the Stanley Cups in 1997, 1998, and 2002. Over his time with the Red Wings, he scored 309 regular-season goals and 33 playoff goals. Shanahan left Detroit after the 2005-06 season but was later inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a Red Wing.
Larry Murphy
By the time the Red Wings claimed Murphy from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 1997 trade deadline, Murphy was already a two-time Stanley Cup winner during his 17 seasons, primarily with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Murphy began with the Los Angeles Kings and had spells with the Washington Capitals and Minnesota North Stars before joining the Penguins in 1990. When Murphy arrived in Detroit, he quickly paired with Niklas Lidstrom, helping the team win the Stanley Cup in just his second season there. He retired in 2001 after playing 1,615 games and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Chris Draper
Arguably one of the most cost-effective trades in NHL history, Draper was acquired by Detroit from the Winnipeg Jets in 1993 for just $1. Draper, drafted 62nd overall by the Jets in 1989, had limited NHL experience before joining the Red Wings. He became a vital member of Detroit’s famed "grind line" alongside Kirk Maltby and Darren McCarty, earning four Stanley Cup victories before retiring in 2011. He currently serves as the director of amateur scouting for Detroit and assistant GM to longtime teammate Steve Izelman.
Igor Larionov
Starting his career in Russia, Larionov was a thoughtful and talented player who, alongside teammate Slava Fetisov, helped secure NHL entry for Soviet players. Drafted 214th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 1985, he joined them in 1989. Larionov was later claimed by the San Jose Sharks in the 1992 expansion draft, where he faced off against Detroit in a surprise playoff upset in 1994. Traded to Detroit in the 1995-96 season, he became part of the celebrated "Russian Five," contributing to Stanley Cup wins in 1997 and 1998. After brief spells with Florida and returning to Detroit, he scored one of the most memorable overtime goals in Red Wings playoff history in 2002. Larionov finished his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.
Fan Take:
This look back at legendary players who defined the Detroit Red Wings highlights why the team’s legacy remains so strong in hockey culture. For fans and the sport alike, appreciating these contributions underscores the significance of team-building and player loyalty in shaping hockey’s greatest moments.
