Tomas Holmstrom was a heartbeat guy for the Detroit Red Wings. Tomas would do anything necessary to win. “Homer” as we like to call him would willingly go to the dirty areas on the ice. Homer would take a regular beating in front of the net. His ankle skating style was often comical to watch. At times Homer would barely get himself back onside after the play left the offensive zone.
The play had been gone for an opponent rush, Detroit would already be counter-attacking waiting for Homer to tag up. Holmstrom served a valuable purpose, did his job well and I consider him one of the most under-appreciated Red Wings of all time.