Even with the fact isn't really talked about, the Wings 1989 class was a game-changer for the franchise. They drafted not one, but two future hall of famers in Nicklas Lidstrom and Sergei Fedorov. It all started with the Red Wings, who wanted to look at players in the Soviet Union, discovering talent that others didn't see.
Nicklas Lidstrom, a third-round pick at the time, was not really seen by scouts because of his absence in Sweden's national junior team. But the Red Wings, with their different mindset, saw Lidstrom's potential and drafted him. Two seasons later, Lidstrom made his debut in the NHL and became one of the greatest defensemen in the league. He had 1,142 points in 1,564 games which made Lidstrom's impact on the Red Wings history as one of the best.
With the same approach, the Red Wings took a risk by drafting Sergei Fedorov, another good Soviet player, during the fourth round. With the help of Detroit sportswriter Keith Gave, who facilitated the communication between Fedorov and his teammate Vladimir Konstantinov, the Red Wings succeeded and brought both players to North America. Fedorov became known as one of the greatest two-way players of all time and earned trophies such as the Selke Trophy for top defensive forward and the Hart Trophy in the same season.
In conclusion, the Red Wings 1989 draft class confirmed their status as visionary scouts, finding hidden gems in Europe and building the future of the franchise. With Lidstrom and Fedorov leading the team to great success, their legacy remains integral to the Red Wings history.
