Chris Osgood proved to be a decent Goalie early in his career, helping the Red Wings reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1995, although he was the backup to Mike Vernon. This changed the year after, when he led the league in Wins (39) in 1995-96, was named a Second Team All-Star, and shared the William M. Jennings Trophy with Vernon.  It was bittersweet the year after, as the Red Wings ended their Stanley Cup Finals drought, but Vernon was the player in the pipes throughout the bulk of the postseason.

The entire NHL career of Swedish Defenseman was spent in Detroit, where he proved himself to be one of the most dependable blueliners in league history.

Pound for pound, Herbie Lewis was one of the toughest players in the National Hockey League, and he spent all of his 11 NHL campaigns in Detroit.

Lewis had blistering speed and could play make as well as rush behind on defense.  He would score 308 Points for the Red Wings and help them win two Stanley Cups (1936 & 1937).  Lewis was also a former Detroit Captain. 

With a claim as one of the first really good American Defenseman, Reed Larson learned his craft from the legendary Herb Brooks at the University of Minnesota.