The hockey community can feel small.
All of the recycled coaches and management members going around the NHL like a massively convoluted game of musical chairs can be exhausting.
However, when the team that you cheer for is the Detroit Red Wings, an original six team, there is bound to be someone who was connected to the franchise in some capacity.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
The 2025 Stanley Cup Final begins on Wednesday, June 4th. In honor of that commencement, here is every former Red Wings player in the Cup Final. (Spoiler alert: they all play for one team.)
Trending Red Wings Stories
3 Red Wings Prospects Ready For The Big Leagues
4 Free Agent Defenders Yzerman Has To Actually Avoid
Could Jonathan Toews Become Latest Ex-Blackhawk to Jump to Detroit?
3 Special Red Wings Prospects That Are Untouchable
Jake Walman
Jake Walman, it’s going to be difficult for Red Wings fans to forget you. The current Edmonton Oilers defender was infamously traded from the Red Wings to the San Jose Sharks for future considerations. At the same time, the Sharks received a second-round draft pick for their troubles.
As I’ve previously written about, Walman has been a great addition to the Oilers since his arrival. However, when he was in Detroit, you could see the same tools at play. Walman was a stabilizing presence for the young Moritz Seider and endeared himself to fans with his outgoing personality.
Troy Stecher
Another defender, Troy Stecher, has been an excellent piece for the Oilers during this playoff run. He was able to come in and perform at a high enough level to make the coaching staff want to play him more.
Stecher played for the Red Wings during the 2020-21 season and part of the 2021-22 season. The team wasn’t very good during that time, and he was a combined -19 over 60 games with the team.
Calvin Pickard is that guy pic.twitter.com/KuYqA1fgjt
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2025
Calvin Pickard
The Red Wings were the last NHL stop for Calvin Pickard before signing with the Oilers. He was used sparingly in the NHL – 12 games across three seasons.
Pickard came in for Stuart Skinner after the latter had a shaky start to the 2025 playoffs. Pickard went on a six-game heater, got injured, and then Skinner came back and has been lights-out.
What a world.
Mattias Janmark
Bet you couldn’t have guessed that Mattias Janmark (Mattias Janmark-Nylen) was a Red Wings draft pick. The 79th overall selection in the 2013 draft played two games for the Grand Rapids Griffins during the 2013-14 season.
The Swedish forward was traded to the Dallas Stars on March 1st of 2015, along with a second-round draft pick, for the likes of Eric Cole and a third-round pick.
With all of the former Red Wings on the Oilers, it makes it clear to this writer who Red Wings fans should cheer for during the Stanley Cup Final.
It’s a small hockey community, after all.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites.
Read the full article here
