Terry Foster: Believe It Or Not, Yzerman Wasn't Voted Top 5 Red Wing

By Terry Foster
The Family Deal

Ranker.com allowed its fans to vote on the top 100 NHL players of all-time and Wayne Gretzky did not take top honors at the time this was written (rankings will change daily based on votes). Boston Bruins great defenseman Bobby Orr did. Here are where Red Wings players finished on the list.

Don't get mad at me that Steve Yzerman was not ranked the top Red Wing. Blame the voters. Here are where the top Red Wings rank in order.

4. Gordie Howe: He is Mr. Hockey and there could be a number of Red Wing fans scratching their heads as to why he is ranked behind Mario Lemieux. Howe held all the records until Gretzky came along.

6. Dominik Hasek: He was not a Red Wing for very long but the man did win a cup until his groin gave out. Most of his dominance came with Buffalo but he did help out here.

12. Nick Lidstrom: Lidstrom played under the radar and was never spectacular. However, he made plays and had a huge slap shot from the point.

20. Pavel Datsyuk: He was a great defender and great puck handler, but how he ranked ahead of Yzerman is a mystery.

33. Vlade Fetisov: He was strong, physical and a real agitator on the ice.

54. Steve Yzerman: Maybe we've got it wrong but Yzerman is consistently left off hockey's top 50 lists although you can argue he is the second best Red Wing of all time.

59. Paul Coffey: He was one of the most gifted skaters in hockey.

62. Frank Mahovlich: He did most of his damage in Toronto but enjoyed solid years with the Wings.

63. Terry Sawchuk: He might be the greatest goalie of all-time. Another Red Wing ranked too low.

66. Mike Vernon: He is only ranked three spots behind Sawchuk? Vernon was good but they are not in the same league.

78. Alex Delvecchio: Played on a line with Howe which made things easier for him but the man could score.

95. Red Kelly: This defender played on more Stanley Cup winning teams outside of anyone who played for the Montreal Canadiens.

(Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com. Twitter: TerryFoster971.)