THE ALL-TIME RED WINGS TEAM

One down five to go on our all-time teams for the Original Six franchises. Next up is Hockeytown! So here is the roster for the all-time Detroit Red Wings squad.



OFFENSIVE LINES
LW: Ted Lindsay C: Steve Yzerman RW: Gordie Howe
LW: Tomas Holmstrom C: Alex Delvecchio RW: Norm Ullman
LW: Brendan Shanahan C: Sergei Federov RW: Lynn Libett
LW: John Ogrodnick C: Sid Abel RW: Vyachaslav Kozlov

DEFENSE
Nicklas Lidstrom, Reed Larson
Chris Chelios, Red Kelly
Gary Bergman, Marcel Pronovost

GOALIES
Terry Sawchuk
Chris Osgood
Harry Lumley

Head Coach: Scotty Bowman
Captain: Steve Yzerman
Assistant Captains: Gordie Howe, Nicklas Lidstrom

THE ALL-TIME BRUINS TEAM

In a new feature here at Through the Five Hole, we'll be taking a look at the all-time teams for the Original Six franchises. Just like our Team USA and Team Canada roster picks, we'll create the roster with lines that, had this been an actual team, a coach would certainly have to use. Here is the all-time team for the Boston Bruins.

OFFENSIVE LINES
LW: Johnny Bucyk C: Phil Esposito RW: Ken Hodge
LW: Wayne Cashman C: Milt Schmidt RW: Cam Neely
LW: Terry O'Reilly C: Adam Oates RW: Rick Middleton
LW: Donald Marcotte C: Peter McNab RW: Dit Clapper

DEFENSE
Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque
Eddie Shore, Don Sweeney
Mike Milbury, Glen Wesley

GOALIES
Gerry Cheevers
Frank Brimsek
Eddie Johnston

Head Coach: Art Ross

Captain: Ray Bourque
Assistant Captains: Bobby Orr, Johnny Bucyk

THE 5 WORST TRADES IN NHL HISTORY

The NHL trade deadline draws ever closer, and many talented players are rumored to be changing teams in the very near future. That said, we don't really know how any of these trades--should they actually happen--will turn out. Here are five ended up extremely one sided. They are the five worst trades in NHL history.

5. The Canucks traded Alek Stojanov to the Penguins for Markus Naslund- March 20, 1996
Naslund had 19 goals and 52 points in 66 with the Pens in '95-96 before he was dealt to Vancouver. Stojanov appeared in only 45 games with Pittsburgh over the next two seasons--scoring two goals-- and never made it back to the NHL.

4. The Flyers traded Peter Forsberg, Steve Duschene, Mike Ricci, Ron Hextall, Kerry Huffman, Chris Simon, a draft pick (who became Jocelyn Thibault), and $15 million to the Nordiques for Eric Lindros- June 30, 1992
Thats quite the handful Quebec got for Lindros. Forsberg was one of the most skilled players in the NHL for a number of years with the club, most of it after they moved to Colorado and became the Avalanche. Ricci was an agitator who helped the Avs big time in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the draft pick, which later became Jocelyn Thibault was later traded to Montreal for a goaltender by the name of Patrick Roy. The Avalanche went on to win two of the next five Cups. Lindros was good, but concussions derailed his career. He certainly wasn't worth what Philly gave up for him.

3. The Rangers traded Bernie Nichols, Steven Rice, and Louie Debrusk to the Oilers for Mark Messier and Jeff Buekeboom- October 4, 1991
What can you really say about this one? Messier became one of the Rangers' all-time greats, leading them to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years in 1994. Bernie Nichols--the best of the three players Edmonton acquired--lasted two seasons in Edmonton. Ouch.

2. The Bruins traded Barry Pederson to the Canucks for Cam Neely and the number three overall draft pick in 1987 (Glen Wesley)- June 6, 1986
Vancouver gave up Neely, then 21-years-old, for a player who was four years older and certainly not as talented. Neely became the ultimate power forward for the Bruins, and his number eight now hangs in the rafters of the (new) Boston Garden. The pick became Wesley, who spent seven successful seasons in Boston, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals twice. Pederson spent four unimpressive seasons with the Canucks before being traded to Pittsburgh in 1990.

1. The Bruins traded Pit Martin, Jack Norris, and Gille Marotte to the Blackhawks for Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, and Fred Stanfield-May 15, 1967
Pit Martin was the only player Chicago got in this deal that had any success for them. Meanwhile the Bruins picked up Esposito, one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the game, Hodge, who scored 289 goals in nine seasons with the Bruins, and Stanfield, who scored 20 goals in each of his six seasons with the club. Only that debacle (for Chicago at least) could knock the Neely trade (above) out of the top spot.

GLEN WESLEY: A CLASS ACT ALL THE WAY

The Carolina Hurricanes raised Glen Wesley's number 2 to the rafters last night in a touching tribute before they took to the ice against the big defenseman's old squad, the Boston Bruins. Boston won the game, 5-1, but the night truly belonged to Wesley, one of the game's true greats and a class act all the way.

It was extremely fitting that the ceremony took place before the Canes met the Bruins, as those were the only two teams Wesley played for in his 20 NHL seasons (OK, he spent half a season in Toronto, whatever). The 6'0 redhead from Red Deer, Alberta--now working in the front office with the Hurricanes--was the only player to play in Carolina for the club's first ten seasons since moving south from Hartford back in 1997.

Drafted third overall by the Bruins in 1987 (with the pick the Bruins got from Vancouver, along with Cam Neely, for Barry Pederson), Wesley spent his first seven NHL seasons playing alongside Ray Bourque in the Boston Garden. Boston reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice during Wesley's tenure with the team, in 1988 and 1990, both losses to Edmonton. He was dealt to Hartford in 1994 for three first round picks. One of those picks--Sergei Samsonov who went eighth overall to Boston in 1997--is currently in his second season with the Hurricanes and spent last season as a teammate of Wesley in Carolina. Besides a brief stop in Toronto, part of a deadline deal in 2002 (he re-signed with Carolina during the offseason), he truly was a Hurricane, and last night's ceremony was certainly deserved.

Wesley finished his career with 128 goals and 409 assists in 1457 NHL games. He won one Stanley Cup during his illustrious career--in 2006 with the 'Canes--and was always the consumate professional. It was great to see Glen Wesley finally honored for his brilliant career, and his number--along with his legacy--will be with the franchise forever.

REWIND: THE 2008 NHL DRAFT

Players selected in the 2008 NHL Draft, held last June in Ottawa, have already made a significant impact this season. While scouting is important in finding the best possible player for a team, luck certainly plays into the equation as well. If some GMs had known then what they know now, the top 10 would probably have looked a bit different. In fact, it may have looked something like this.

1. Tampa Bay selects: Steven Stamkos
The 19-year-old forward hasn't fulfilled expectations as the franchise's "savior"...yet. The unfair pressure placed on him probably stunted his growth a little, but he should be fine. In the long run, the expectations will help him, but he will need a few years to develop into a star. Don't worry, he will.

2. Los Angeles selects: Drew Doughty
No need to change this selection either. The Kings must be thrilled with the contributions Doughty has given them in his first year in professional hockey. A strong, physical defenseman, Doughty has 16 points in 53 games for the big club this season.

3. Atlanta selects: Luke Schenn
Another physical d-man, Schenn was actually taken fifth by the Maple Leafs, and Brian Burke appears poised to make him the franchise's cornerstone player. If the draft were being held again today, I'm pretty sure the Thrashers would take him over defenseman Zach Bogosian.

4. St. Louis selects: Josh Bailey
Bailey, who went ninth to the Islanders, has exceeded all expectations so far. There is no doubt the Blues would have taken someone other than Alex Petriangelo, not as far along as they had hoped, and Bailey would have been as good a pick as any.

5. Toronto selects: Zach Bogosian
Bogosian, while he may not be as well rounded as Luke Schenn, is still a fantastic pickup. He's a solid defenseman and one Brian Burke could build around if he had to, instead of his actual selection.

6. Columbus selects: Nikita Filatov
This one is right on the money. Filatov has been up and down this season, but appears poised to develop into a scoring machine alongside Rick Nash in the near future.

7. Nashville selects: Mikkel Boedker
Boedker, who went eighth to Phoenix, is one of coach Wayne Gretzky's favorite players already. The Great One plays Boedker big minutes for someone so young, and he is playing really well for the Coyotes. In this theoretical draft, the Preds would have pounced on Boedker if he was still there at number seven.

8. Phoenix selects: Alex Pietrangelo
With nobody still available who could help the Coyotes this season, they select Pietrangelo, a rugged defenseman who will help the financially strapped franchise, wherever they are playing, in the future.

9. New York (Islanders) selects: Colin Wilson
Wilson went back to Boston University for another season, but will certainly contribute once he joins the club. A talented center, Wilson has 35 points in 37 games for the Terriers this year, and will almost certainly be a solid player at the next level, whenever he gets there.

10. Vancouver selects: Cody Hodgson
The Canucks appear to have gotten this one right as well. Hodgson, the 19-year-old captain of the Brampton Battalion in the OHL will be a top flight scorer in the NHL soon enough. Even though he won't contribute right away for Vancouver, they were smart to lock him up now, as he will no doubt be a threat when he eventually makes it.

THE TOP 5 FIGHTS IN NHL HISTORY

Continuing the various top five lists we've posted, here are five of the greatest hockey fights of all-time. Many of these are all out brawls with two entire teams going at it. All of them get the crowds going (some more literally than others), and all, like any good fight, ratchet up the intensity for the rest of the game. Enjoy.

5. Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals



Always great to see goalies fighting, but it's especially fun considering Kolzig and Dafoe are best friends. I especially like the jawing afterwords between Boston coach Pat Burns and Caps head coach Ron Wilson.

4. Tie Domi vs. Bob Probert



Love the "championship belt" celebration by Domi before all hell breaks lose on the ice. Probert is quite a bit bigger than him, but Domi is the clear winner of this one.

3. PJ Stock vs. Stephen Peat



In the Bruins/Caps rematch (see above), PJ Stock--always a fan favorite in Boston--and Stephen Peat throw about a million punches in one minute. Haymaker after haymaker after haymaker. Great fight.

2. Patrick Roy vs. Chris Osgood



Roy wanted a fight and got all he could handle--and more. Osgood was hesitant at first but ended up kicking Roy's ass. I especially love the atmosphere in Detroit after this fight, with the sellout crowd chanting "Ozzy, Ozzy." Only one fight could knock this one out of the top spot...

1. Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers, People of New York



Nothing else needs to be said...

FIVE MORE TRADES THAT SHOULD HAPPEN

A few days ago, we posted three trades we'd like to see happen. Well, the deadline is a little closer, and nothing major has happened yet. In the meantime, here are three more possibilities.

Colorado Gets: Joffrey Lupul, Philadelphia Gets: Jordan Leopold, 2009 5th round pick

The Flyers are looking to shed some salary and improve their blue line. The emergence of Jeff Carter and Mike Richards makes Lupul expendable, and Leopold only makes $1.5 million for the season, with his contract expiring at the end of the year. The Avs get a proven veteran who is signed through 2012-13.

Columbus Gets: Nik Antropov, Toronto Gets: Alexandre Picard, Peter Pohl

Antropov is clearly on his way out of Toronto, and the Jackets certainly have the cap room for his $2.05 million contract. In return, Brian Burke gets some young players, and more importantly, cap space. Neither Picard nor Pohl make anything close to $1 million a year. Columbus would love to add a player to bolster their depth heading into the stretch run.

Pittsburgh Gets: Milan Hejduk, Colorado Gets: Ryan Whitney

In Whitney, the Avalanche acquire a potential cornerstone defenseman who is only 26 and signed for four more years after this one. Pittsburgh picks up another top notch scorer to pair with Crosby and Malkin. Hejduk's $3.9 million expires after next season, when the Pens will need all the cap space they can get.

Washington Gets: Nicholas Havelid, Atlanta Gets: Chris Bourque, Sean Collins

Atlanta, constantly rebuilding, adds Bourque and Collins, two young prospects for Havelid and his $2 million annual salary. Washington gets depth for their blue line as they look forward to the playoffs.

Boston Gets: Radek Bonk, Nashville Gets: Andrew Bodnarchuk

The Bruins get what they want, a left handed shot for their power play in Bonk, the third overall pick back in 1994. His $1.475 million contract expires at the end of the season, so he would be strictly a rental player for Peter Chiarelli's club. The Preds get a defensive prospect in Bodnarchuk, only 20, with good potential, as they continue building for the future.