Over the next two weeks, Octopus Thrower will rank each of the ten Detroit Red Wings teams during the Salary Cap Era which began with the 2005-2006 season.
Regular Season and Stanley Cup Playoff success were both used as the metrics for judging ranking. Stanley Cup Playoff success was given a greater weight when determining final rankings.
Today we focus on the 2008-2009 Red Wings.
ICYMI, here are links for the other teams:
#10 – 2013-2014 Red Wings
#9 – 2014-2015 Red Wings
#8 – 2011-2012 Red Wings
#7 – 2012-2013 Red Wings
#6 – 2009-2010 Red Wings
#5 – 2005-2006 Red Wings
#4 – 2010-2011 Red Wings#3 – 2006-2007 Red Wings
#2: 2008-2009 Detroit Red Wings
Record: 51-21-10
Playoff Result: Defeated Columbus 4-0 in Western Conference Quarter Finals; Defeated Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in Western Conference Semi-Finals; Defeated Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 in Western Conference Finals; Lost to Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in Stanley Cup Final
Team MVP (Chosen By Octopus Thrower Staff): Chris Osgood
Team’s Theme Song: Hole in my Soul by Aerosmith
Heading Into the 2008-2009 Season
They were defending Stanley Cup Champions, and they only got better by adding Marian Hossa to the roster.