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At the start of the review of the legendary Detroit Red Wings, who initially began their NHL careers with other teams, Detroit fans were reminded of the significant contributions made by Brendan Shanahan, Igor Larionov, Chris Draper, and Larry Murphy, among others, to several Stanley Cup victories.
Together, these four players won the Stanley Cup 12 times while wearing the iconic winged wheel jersey, with three earning spots in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
We continue reflecting on the past by highlighting some iconic players who arrived in Detroit during the memorable summer of 2001, a period that arguably assembled one of the greatest NHL rosters ever.
Dominik Hasek
Widely regarded as one of the best goaltenders in NHL history, Dominik Hasek earned the nickname "The Dominator" after nine seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. He won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in both 1997 and 1998 and was recognized as the league’s top goalie with the Vezina Trophy.
However, few remember that Hasek actually started his NHL journey with the Chicago Blackhawks, who drafted him 199th overall in 1983.
The trade bringing Hasek to Buffalo is considered one of the most lopsided in NHL history given his tremendous impact on the Sabres and the sport overall.
Hasek retired after winning the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in his first season with the team. Yet, he returned to Detroit before the 2003-04 season, creating a complex situation for Curtis Joseph, who had been signed as his replacement, and Manny Legace.
Ultimately, Hasek decided not to play from February 2004 onward, making Joseph the starting goalie once again.
After the 2004-05 lockout, Hasek spent a single season with the Ottawa Senators in 2005-06, then came back to Detroit as a free agent in 2006. He played two more seasons with the Red Wings, including winning another Stanley Cup as a backup to Chris Osgood in 2008, before retiring. Hasek was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Luc Robitaille
A longtime star with the Los Angeles Kings, Luc Robitaille was selected 171st overall in the 1984 NHL Draft and won the Calder Trophy by scoring 45 goals as a rookie in the 1986-87 season.
Robitaille spent the first eight years of his career with the Kings, had stints with the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins, then returned to the Kings in 1997.
In the 2001 Stanley Cup playoffs, Robitaille helped the Kings upset the Red Wings in a seven-game first-round series, yet he signed with Detroit the day after the Wings acquired Hasek from Buffalo.
Robitaille scored 30 goals during the 2001-02 season and finally won the Stanley Cup when Detroit defeated the Carolina Hurricanes.
He struggled the following season, seeing his ice time significantly reduced under coach Dave Lewis, leading to a third return to Los Angeles where he played two final seasons before retiring in 2006. Robitaille was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Brett Hull
Many believed the Red Wings had completed their offseason acquisitions after signing Hasek and Hull, but they surprised fans by adding Hull in August 2001, a move supported by team leaders like Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan, Chris Chelios, and Nicklas Lidstrom.
Hull began his NHL career with the Calgary Flames, who drafted him 117th overall in 1984. He was traded in 1988 to the St. Louis Blues for Steve Bozek, Rob Ramage, and Rick Wamsley.
Hull quickly became one of the NHL’s top goal scorers with the Blues, posting multiple seasons with goal totals including 41, 72, 86, 70, 54, and 57.
Despite being eliminated by the Red Wings three years in a row (1996-1998), Hull signed with the Dallas Stars in 1998 and won the Stanley Cup in his first season there, famously scoring a controversial goal against future teammate and Buffalo goalie Dominik Hasek.
Though leaning toward signing with the Montreal Canadiens in the summer of 2001, Hull changed his mind after a call from Red Wings GM Ken Holland.
Hull scored 67 goals in his first two seasons with Detroit, helping the team capture the 2002 Stanley Cup. After scoring 25 goals in the 2003-04 season, he signed briefly with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2005-06 but retired soon after. Like Hasek and Robitaille, Hull was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Fan Take: This look back at the monumental 2001 Red Wings roster reminds hockey fans why that team was so dominant — a blend of legendary talent and astute management decisions that created a true NHL powerhouse. Reflecting on these stars highlights how iconic players from different backgrounds and teams came together to elevate the sport and set a standard for future NHL dynasties.
