This week, the Detroit Pink Wings will swimsuit up for 2 NHL contests in Sweden, marking the primary time the franchise has performed common season video games exterior of North America.
It will likely be a little bit of a homecoming for the Pink Wings. Dozens of Swedish gamers have skated for the franchise, with Lucas Raymond being the only real Swede on the roster at present. The affect of those gamers vary from dressing for a pair video games to being all-time greats.
Right here’s a countdown of the highest 5 Swedish Pink Wings in franchise historical past.
5. Johan Franzen
Often known as “The Mule,” Johan Franzen was a flexible ahead who might rating objectives in bunches and play a accountable defensive sport. He arrived in Hockeytown for the 2005-06 marketing campaign and ended up enjoying in elements of 11 seasons for the Pink Wings. Franzen totalled 187 objectives and 370 factors in 602 NHL video games.
He continuously got here up clutch within the playoffs, incomes the status as a big-game participant. There, he amassed 42 objectives in 107 postseason video games. Impressively, Franzen’s 0.39 objectives per sport within the playoffs ranks larger than Steve Yzerman (0.36) and Sergei Fedorov (0.31).
Franzen might be downright dominant at instances – the 2008 second-round matchup towards the Colorado Avalanche involves thoughts. That stated, it’s important to marvel how he would have fared underneath a special coach than Mike Babcock, who verbally attacked Franzen on a number of events.
Nonetheless, Franzen was a valued member of the Pink Wings and ranks twenty third in complete factors with the franchise – sandwiched in between Igor Larionov and Marcel Dionne.
4. Niklas Kronwall
Recognized for his bone-crushing hits, Niklas Kronwall was a extremely underrated blueliner throughout his tenure with the Pink Wings. Typically overshadowed by Nicklas Lidstrom, Kronwall’s two-way sport befitted that of a top-pairing defenseman.
Like Franzen, Kronwall was a key cog in Detroit’s 2008 Stanley Cup group and performed a good larger function throughout Detroit’s run to the 2009 Stanley Cup Last with Lidstrom battling accidents.
General, Kronwall suited up for 953 video games throughout 15 seasons. He recorded 432 common season factors and one other 47 in 109 playoff video games. Amongst Pink Wings blueliners, Kronwall ranks fourth in factors and third in video games performed.
3. Tomas Holmstrom
A four-time Stanley Cup winner, Tomas Holmstrom was a fan favourite throughout his time in Detroit. He was probably the greatest net-front presences of all-time and took a beating on a nightly foundation. Holmstrom’s fashion of play allowed the Pink Wings to ice a harmful energy play – his 122 profession objectives with the person benefit solely trails Yzerman, Lidstrom, and Gordie Howe for many energy play objectives scored in franchise historical past.
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In all, Holmstrom racked up 243 objectives and 530 factors in 1,026 common season video games. He scored yet one more energy play aim than he did at even power (121) in his profession – a uncommon incidence within the NHL.
Holmstrom additionally tallied 46 objectives and 97 factors in 180 playoff video games. Solely Yzerman, Lidstrom, and Kris Draper have performed extra playoff video games as a Pink Wing than Holmstrom.
2. Henrik Zetterberg
A real chief, Henrik Zetterberg captained the Pink Wings for six seasons. His work ethic and dedication to the sport made him a revered participant across the league and a vital a part of Detroit’s success. As well as, his unimaginable two-way play and management qualities helped keep on the legacy that was first established by Yzerman after which Lidstrom, and now’s exemplified by present captain Dylan Larkin.
Surprisingly, the one common season {hardware} gained by Zetterberg was the 2014-15 King Clancy Trophy. He completed second in Calder Trophy voting in 2003 and continuously acquired Selke Trophy votes.
Although he misplaced out on these awards, Zetterberg completed higher feats. He’s a member of the Triple Gold membership, having gained the Stanley Cup, a World Championship, and an Olympic gold medal. He additionally took house the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2008.
General, “Hank” recorded 960 factors with the Pink Wings, inserting him fifth all-time. His 1,082 video games are the sixth-most performed in franchise historical past. His No. 40 might be the subsequent to be retired by the group.
1. Nicklas Lidstrom
Not solely was Lidstrom a franchise nice, he was additionally probably the greatest defensemen to ever play the sport. He revolutionized the place and proved that puck possession and excellent positioning might be an efficient option to patrol the blue line within the NHL.
“The Excellent Human” captained the Pink Wings for six seasons, taking on for Yzerman when he retired in 2006. He led Detroit to the 2008 Stanley Cup – his fourth as a Pink Wing. Lidstrom additionally introduced house the 2002 Conn Smythe Trophy.
Like Zetterberg, he’s a member of the Triple Gold membership. He was an alternate captain for Sweden’s 2006 gold medal victory – a group that additionally featured Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Kronwall, and Mikael Samuelsson.
Associated: A Tribute to Nicklas Lidstrom
Lidstrom sits fourth in common season factors as a Pink Wing (1,142) and second for video games performed (1,564). He was inducted into the Hockey Corridor of Fame in 2015 and was a seven-time Norris Trophy winner. Lidstrom’s No. 5 has additionally been retired by the Pink Wings.
Stats courtesy of NHL.com.
