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NHL QUICK SHOTS:
A fast glance at the league
NOV 10 2005

THE WAY THE WINGS HAVE WON
By Josh Brewster

November 10, 2005 -- USA Today recently ran a feature on why the DETROIT RED WINGS continue their winning ways, despite the NHL's new salary cap and the major talent redistribution that took place over the summer. What they failed to mention is the Wings’ success at the draft table.

Last summer, hundreds of NHLers changed clubs. The Wings, predicted the experts, would take a hit from the cap, which ended up cutting them from the $80Mil payroll range to one in the neighborhood of the high 30Mil zone.

Well, here we are, and as we were in the late 90s and early 00's, the Wings are dominant again.

“They’ve done it without any picks. They haven't had any picks," new coach MIKE BABCOCK told Hockeytalk recently. Indeed, the Wings haven’t drafted high in years, due especially to their success, and their willingness to trade a high pick or two, as in the case of Chris Chelios, who was acquired for a first-rounder. No matter in Detroit.

And there are more waiting.

“Wait until you see (defenseman) Nik Kronvall.”

Let’s take a look at how the Wings were built:

Steve Yzerman – Draft

Justin Williams – Draft

Henrik Zetterberg – Draft

Tomas Holmstrom – Draft

Nick Lidstrom – Draft

Jiri Fischer – Draft

Chris Osgood – Draft

Johan Franzen – Draft

Kirk Maltby – Traded to DET from EDM early in career

Kris Draper – Traded to DET from WIN early in career

Manny Legace – Traded to DET from LAK early in career

Other Wings, such as Robert Lang, Brandan Shanahan, Mathieu Schneider and Chris Chelios all came to the Wings via trade. But look at how the majority of their roster came from the draft table, where hockey teams are still built; not only in the "New" NHL, but in the "Old" NHL, too.

So, while many hockey folks thought that the Wings "bought" their Stanley Cups, guess again.

Team President Jimmy Devellano promised, after owner Mike Illitch bought the club back in 1982, to stay devoted to the draft table, which is where it all begins. He has, and over the years, the Wings have drafted better than most if not all, NHL clubs. Datsyuk and Zetterberg were taken in the sixth and seventh rounds, respectively.

Henrik Zetterberg:
8-10-18PTS/17GP

Jason Williams:
5-14-19PTS/17GP

Tomas Holmstrom:
8-8-16PTS/17GP

Through the 1980s, when Devellano and his then-protege, Neil Smith, were plucking plums from around the globe (SERGEI FEDOROV, PETR KLIMA), then the 1990’s when Devellano passed the torch to former GM Bryan Murray and now Holland, the draft table is where it all begins for the club, which is why their past successes transcended the abundance of money, and Illitch’s willingness to spend. This is the ultimate hockey team in the self-described “Hockeytown.”

Current GM and former Wing goalie KEN HOLLAND was spotted at Staples Center after a recent Wing victory over the Kings, joking that Assistant Jim Nill was on the road, looking for players.

"Good ones?" someone wondered aloud.

"Cheap ones!" Holland responded with a laugh.

Cap, no cap, the Wings rule modern hockey for a reason: They rule at the draft table.

*For a quick look at who the Wings have drafted, take a look at their history, courtesy www.hockeydb.com.

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