Bob Duff: Were 2001-02 Red Wings the best team ever? Induction of Nicklas Lidstrom and Sergei Fedorov to Hockey Hall of Fame adds fuel to that argument.

No. 84-85 Oilers or 76-77 Canadiens.

This is for modern era, cant compare to pre 67 teams

No. 84-85 Oilers or 76-77 Canadiens.

This is for modern era, cant compare to pre 67 teams
- FLflames34

Those Islander teams too...

Those Islander teams too...
- Mashadar

True. I lean towards that Canadiens squad ever so slightly.

No, although there's definitely an argument for them in the top 10 or 15.

I'd be easier to argue that the 2002 Red Wings are in the discussion for the team with the greatest collection of name-brand Hall of Famers in history, but let's not kid ourselves -- most of those players, while still very effective, were not anywhere close to their career peak.

Out of the 10 presumptive Hall of Famers (including Datsyuk) on that team, I'd argue only 3 were still in what I'd consider their prime (Lidstrom, Shanahan, Fedorov), and Lidstrom was the only one unambiguously so.

Larionov (41), Chelios (40), Hull (37), Hasek (37), Yzerman (36), and Robitaille (35), while all still great players, were also very clearly in the decline phase of their careers. And Datsyuk (23) was still a few years away from become a consistent threat.

I was able to go to game 3 and it was my first ever SCF game(Went to 4 in '06). They were certainly an all-star team and it showed, certainly one of the more dominant teams of the modern era, but I'm not sure you can call them the best ever, there have been some great teams throughout the years and arguably more dominant. I think it's pretty difficult to say the best team ever because of different eras and how play has changed throughout the years.

The 2015 Blackhawks!!!!!

the Canadiens teams from 76-79 or the Islanders 81-83 were better..

Like Sven said, they weren't the best team since most of those HOF were at the end of their illustrious careers. But on paper, if all of those players were in their prime, that would of probably been the best ever.

No, they shouldn't even be in the discussion of you ask me.

Haven't read the blog yet, but the answer is absolutely unequivocally yes.

My two cents

I mean, greatest of all time? probably not,

but how would you shut it down and totally say theres no way? idk, i feel the 02 wings should always be considered ONE of the greatest teams of all time hands down

the roster was beyond stacked, it was like before the season even started the cup was won

now, is the 02 wings better than gretzky/oilers era? or the 76/77 canadians? or Orr/bruins era? no, they werent, but one can and should argue that they now rival these other teams for the greatest of all time

No, they shouldn't even be in the discussion of you ask me.
- Bullot

and nobody is asking u

Yes, they are up there with the all time teams.

My two cents

I mean, greatest of all time? probably not,

but how would you shut it down and totally say theres no way? idk, i feel the 02 wings should always be considered ONE of the greatest teams of all time hands down

the roster was beyond stacked, it was like before the season even started the cup was won

now, is the 02 wings better than gretzky/oilers era? or the 76/77 canadians? or Orr/bruins era? no, they werent, but one can and should argue that they now rival these other teams for the greatest of all time
- digitalbath

I see the main difference is the Canadians of the 70s, Oilers and Islanders of the 80s.. those were basically home grown teams with the perfect one-two peices added to the home grown talent. Detroit already had a pretty talented team before adding in players from FA or trade. I mean, Yzerman, Fedorov, Shanahan, Larionov, Lidstrom, and the grind line weren't anything to scoff at, let alone Datsyuk in his youth.

Add in Chelios, Hasek, Robitaille, Hull was basically taking a 1995 all star lineup and putting them on top of 1997 all star line up. This team was over kill. I think it was the pinnacle of what the pre-cap era could be.

My two cents

I mean, greatest of all time? probably not,

but how would you shut it down and totally say theres no way? idk, i feel the 02 wings should always be considered ONE of the greatest teams of all time hands down

the roster was beyond stacked, it was like before the season even started the cup was won

now, is the 02 wings better than gretzky/oilers era? or the 76/77 canadians? or Orr/bruins era? no, they werent, but one can and should argue that they now rival these other teams for the greatest of all time
- digitalbath

Dainius Zubrus would have pushed them over the top into all time great territory.

Dainius Zubrus would have pushed them over the top into all time great territory.
- smellmyfinger

Hilarious. Got me good. Burn?



get some new material

Hilarious. Got me good. Burn?



get some new material
- digitalbath

Ruutu more your style?

Ruutu more your style?
- smellmyfinger

how about adam larsson?

how about adam larsson?
- digitalbath

Zajac? And his contract that doesn't end until sometime next decade?

Zajac? And his contract that doesn't end until sometime next decade?
- smellmyfinger

add pavel zacha and you got a deal

add pavel zacha and you got a deal
- digitalbath

Zacha, Larsson, Severson and Zubrus for Howard, Kindl and Franzen.

Zacha, Larsson, Severson and Zubrus for Howard, Kindl and Franzen.
- TokenBlack

You forgot Schneider for Quincey.

You forgot Schneider for Quincey.
- smellmyfinger

so anyone wanna take bets on who we sign tomorrow?

-250 no one
-50 erhoff or oduya
0 paul martin
+150 cody franzen
+250 Mike green

so anyone wanna take bets on who we sign tomorrow?

-250 no one
-50 erhoff or oduya
0 paul martin
+150 cody franzen
+250 Mike green
- digitalbath

no one