Lindsay. Abel. Howe. Sawchuk. Decades later, the names still resonate with Detroit Red Wings fans. The Wings were the dominant American-based team of the NHL's so-called Original Six era, when teams played each other fourteen times a season, and rivalries were bitter. Often referred to as the New York Yankees of hockey, Wings GM Jack Adams would have none of it. "The Yankees," he said, "are the Red Wings of baseball."

The sports columnist for the "Windsor Star," Bob Duff has covered the NHL since 1988.