Editing Detroit Red Wings (section)

===Early years (1926–1949)===
[[File:1926 27 Detroit Cougars.png|thumb|Team photo from Detroit's inaugural season ([[1926–27 NHL season|1926–27]]). The franchise was known as the Detroit Cougars from 1926 to 1930.]]
Following the [[1926 Stanley Cup playoffs]], during which the [[Western Canada Hockey League|Western Hockey League]] (WHL) was widely reported to be on the verge of folding,<ref>{{Cite book| author=Coleman, Charles L. | title=The Trail of the Stanley Cup, Vol. 1, 1893–1926 inc. |year=1966 |publisher=National Hockey League |location=Montreal, Quebec |page= 498}}</ref> the NHL held a meeting on April 17 to consider applications for expansion franchises, at which it was reported that five different groups sought a team for Detroit.<ref>{{Cite book| author=Coleman, Charles L. | title=The Trail of the Stanley Cup, Vol. 1, 1893–1926 inc. |year=1966 |publisher=National Hockey League |location=Montreal, Quebec |page=508}}</ref> During a subsequent meeting on May 15, the league approved a franchise to the Townsend-Seyburn group of Detroit and named [[Charles A. Hughes]] as governor.<ref>{{Cite book| author=Coleman, Charles L. | title=The Trail of the Stanley Cup, Vol. 2, 1927–1946 inc. |year=1969 |publisher=National Hockey League |location=Sherbrooke, PQ |page= 7}}</ref> WHL owners [[Frank Patrick (ice hockey)|Frank]] and [[Lester Patrick]] made a deal to sell the league's players to the NHL and cease league operations. The new Detroit franchise purchased the players of the WHL's [[Victoria Cougars]], who had won the Stanley Cup in 1925 and had made the Finals the previous winter, to play for the team. The new Detroit franchise also adopted the Cougars' nickname in honor of the folded franchise.<ref>{{Cite book| author=Coleman, Charles L. | title=The Trail of the Stanley Cup, Vol. 2, 1927–1946 inc. |year=1969 |publisher=National Hockey League |location=Sherbrooke, PQ |pages=8–9}}</ref>

Since no arena in Detroit was ready at the time, the Cougars played their [[1926–27 Detroit Cougars season|first season]] at the [[Border Cities Arena]] in [[Windsor, Ontario]].<ref name="1920s Cougars">{{cite web|title=Written History 1920s – Detroit Red Wings|url=https://redwings.ice.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43765|website=NHL.com|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=July 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702184728/http://redwings.ice.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43765|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Nathan|last=Bierma|title=Windsor Arena, first home of the Red Wings, is still standing — for now|url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/windsor-arena-first-home-red-wings-still-standing-now/|website=Vintage Detroit|date=February 28, 2018|access-date=December 23, 2019|archive-date=October 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018102934/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/windsor-arena-first-home-red-wings-still-standing-now/|url-status=live}}</ref> For the [[1927–28 NHL season|1927–28 season]], the Cougars moved into the new [[Detroit Olympia]], which would be their home rink until December 15, 1979.<ref name=Olympia>{{cite web|first=Scott|last=Ferkovich|title=When the Red Wings said goodbye to Olympia Stadium|url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/red-wings-said-goodbye-olympia-stadium/|website=Vintage Detroit|date=January 7, 2017|access-date=December 23, 2019|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909010201/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/red-wings-said-goodbye-olympia-stadium/|url-status=live}}</ref> This was also the first season behind the bench for [[Jack Adams]], who would be the face of the franchise for the next 36 years as either coach or general manager.<ref name=Adams>{{cite web|first=Tony|last=Wolak|title=Jack Adams, the Man and the Award|url=https://thehockeywriters.com/jack-adams-the-man-the-award/|website=The Hockey Writers|date=August 14, 2017|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906183931/http://thehockeywriters.com/jack-adams-the-man-the-award/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Cougars made the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in [[1928–29 NHL season|1929]], with [[Carson Cooper]] leading the team in scoring.<ref name="1920s Cougars"/><ref>{{cite web|title=1928-29 Detroit Cougars Roster and Statistics|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DTC/1929.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906223949/https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DTC/1929.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Cougars were outscored 7–2 in the two-game series with the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]].<ref name="1929 Cougars">{{cite web|title=1928-29 Detroit Cougars Schedule and Results|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DTC/1929_games.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906224926/https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DTC/1929_games.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1930, the Cougars were renamed the Falcons, but their woes continued, as they usually finished near the bottom of the standings, even though they made the playoffs again in [[1931–32 NHL season|1932]].<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite web|url=https://redwings.ice.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43758|title=Written History 1930s – Detroit Red Wings|website=NHL.com|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=January 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108093559/http://redwings.ice.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43758|url-status=live}}
|2={{cite web|title=1930-31 NHL Summary|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1931.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907033853/https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1931.html|url-status=live}}
|3={{cite web|title=1931-32 NHL Summary|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1932.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907032928/https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1932.html|url-status=live}}
|4={{cite web|title=1931-32 Detroit Falcons Schedule and Results|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DTF/1932_games.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907033800/https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DTF/1932_games.html|url-status=live}}
}}</ref>

In 1932, the NHL let [[grain trade|grain merchant]] [[James E. Norris]], who had made two previous unsuccessful bids to buy an NHL team, purchase the Falcons. Norris' first act was to rename the team; earlier in the century, Norris had been a member of the [[Montreal Amateur Athletic Association]] (MAAA), a multi-sport club whose winged-wheel emblem derived from its cycling roots, and [[Montreal Hockey Club|whose hockey team]] won the first Stanley Cup in 1893. Norris decided that a red version of the MAAA "[[Montreal AAA Winged Wheelers|Winged Wheelers]]" logo would be perfect for a team playing in the "Motor City", and on October 5, 1932, the club was renamed the Detroit Red Wings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How did they get to be the Red Wings? |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Jamie |website=LiveAbout |url=https://www.liveabout.com/how-did-they-become-red-wings-2778717 |access-date=January 22, 2020 |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327160356/https://www.liveabout.com/how-did-they-become-red-wings-2778717 |url-status=live}}</ref> Norris also placed coach Jack Adams on a one-year probation for the [[1932–33 NHL season]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Legends of Hockey – Spotlight – One on One with Jack Adams|url=https://www.hhof.com/htmlSpotlight/spot_oneononep195901.shtml|website=Hockey Hall of Fame|date=November 24, 2006|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034014/https://www.hhof.com/htmlSpotlight/spot_oneononep195901.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Adams managed to pass his probationary period by leading the Red Wings to their first-ever playoff series victory, over the [[Montreal Maroons]].<ref>{{cite web|title=1933 NHL Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals: DET vs. MTM|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1933-detroit-red-wings-vs-montreal-maroons-quarter-finals.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907075517/https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1933-detroit-red-wings-vs-montreal-maroons-quarter-finals.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The team then lost in the semifinals to the [[New York Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web|title=1933 NHL Stanley Cup Semi-Finals: DET vs. NYR|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1933-detroit-red-wings-vs-new-york-rangers-semi-finals.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907032632/https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1933-detroit-red-wings-vs-new-york-rangers-semi-finals.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[1933–34 NHL season|1934]], the Red Wings made the [[1934 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] for the first time, with [[John Sorrell (ice hockey)|John Sorrell]] scoring 21 goals over 47 games and [[Larry Aurie]] leading the team in scoring.<ref>{{cite web|title=1933-34 Detroit Red Wings Roster and Statistics|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1934.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=September 7, 2017|archive-date=August 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803130016/https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1934.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago Black Hawks]] defeated the Red Wings in the Finals, winning the best-of-five series in four games to claim their first title.<ref name="1930s champs">{{cite web|title=Stanley Cup Champions 1930-1939|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-stanley-cup-champions-1930-1939/c-287934514|publisher=National Hockey League|date=January 1, 2017|access-date=September 7, 2017|archive-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907214607/https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-stanley-cup-champions-1930-1939/c-287934514|url-status=live}}</ref> Two seasons later, the Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup in [[1935–36 NHL season|1936]], defeating Toronto in four games.<ref name="1930s champs"/> Detroit repeated as Stanley Cup champions in [[1936–37 NHL season|1937]], winning over the Rangers in the full five games.<ref name="1930s champs"/> In 1938, the [[Montreal Canadiens]] and the Red Wings became the first NHL teams to play in Europe, playing in [[Paris]] and [[London]]. The Wings played nine games against the Canadiens and went 3–5–1. They did not play in Europe again until the preseason and start of the [[2009–10 NHL season]], in Sweden, against the [[St. Louis Blues]].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Clark|last=Rasmussen|title=Red Wings End Preseason with 6-2 Win over Farjestad|url=https://www.detroithockey.net/news/2009/09/30/red-wings-end-preseason-with-6-2-win-over-farjestad/|publisher=DetroitHockey.Net|date=September 30, 2009|access-date=December 23, 2009|quote=The Red Wings were involved in the NHL's first foray into Europe, visiting Paris and London alongside the Montreal Canadiens in 1938. The two teams played nine games with the Wings going 3-5-1 in the series.|archive-date=December 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223190506/https://www.detroithockey.net/news/2009/09/30/red-wings-end-preseason-with-6-2-win-over-farjestad/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Gordie Howe 1946-47.jpg|thumb|upright|Making his NHL debut in 1946, [[Gordie Howe]] played alongside [[Sid Abel]] and [[Ted Lindsay]] from 1947 to 1951, forming the [[Production Line (ice hockey)|Production Line]].]]
The Red Wings made the Stanley Cup Finals in three consecutive years during the early 1940s.<ref name="1940s Wings">{{cite web|title=Written History 1940s – Detroit Red Wings|url=https://redwings.ice.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43757|website=NHL.com|access-date=September 7, 2017|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108105515/http://redwings.ice.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43757|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[1940–41 NHL season|1941]], they were swept by the [[Boston Bruins]], and in [[1941–42 NHL season|1942]], they lost a seven-game series to Toronto after winning the first three games.<ref name="1940s Wings"/> However, in [[1942–43 NHL season|1943]], with [[Mud Bruneteau]] and [[Syd Howe]] scoring 23 and 20 goals, respectively, Detroit won their third Stanley Cup by sweeping the Bruins.<ref name="1940s Wings"/><ref>{{cite web|title=1942-43 Detroit Red Wings Roster and Statistics|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1943.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=September 7, 2017|archive-date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908064736/https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1943.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Through the rest of the decade, the team made the playoffs every year, and reached the Finals three more times.<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite web|title=1943-44 Detroit Red Wings Schedule and Results|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1944_games.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=March 4, 2024|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718112942/https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1944_games.html|url-status=live}}
|2={{cite web|title=1944-45 Detroit Red Wings Schedule and Results|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1945_games.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=March 4, 2024|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327160422/https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1945_games.html|url-status=live}}
|3={{cite web|title=1945-46 Detroit Red Wings Schedule and Results|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1946_games.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=March 4, 2024|archive-date=March 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304185451/https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1946_games.html|url-status=live}}
|4={{cite web|title=1946-47 Detroit Red Wings Schedule and Results|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1947_games.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=March 4, 2024|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327160434/https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1947_games.html|url-status=live}}
}}</ref><ref name="1948 Wings">{{cite web|title=1947-48 Detroit Red Wings Schedule and Results|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1948_games.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=March 4, 2024|archive-date=May 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529230746/https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1948_games.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="1949 Wings">{{cite web|title=1948-49 Detroit Red Wings Schedule and Results|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1949_games.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=March 4, 2024|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327162604/https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1949_games.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[1946–47 NHL season|1946]], one of the greatest players in hockey history came into the NHL with the Red Wings. [[Gordie Howe]], a right winger from [[Floral, Saskatchewan]], only scored seven goals and 15 assists in his first season, and would not reach his prime for a few more years.<ref>{{cite web|title=The life of 'Mr. Hockey' Gordie Howe: A timeline|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/gordie-howe-mr-hockey-timeline-moments/c-280930698|publisher=National Hockey League|date=June 10, 2016|access-date=September 7, 2017|archive-date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908064804/https://www.nhl.com/news/gordie-howe-mr-hockey-timeline-moments/c-280930698|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also the last season as head coach for Adams, who stepped down after the season to concentrate on his duties as general manager and was succeeded by minor league coach [[Tommy Ivan]].<ref name="Production Line">{{cite web|first=J. Conrad|last=Guest|title=Tommy Ivan devised Red Wings' famous "Production Line"|url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/tommy-ivan-devised-red-wings-famous-production-line/|website=Vintage Detroit|date=January 22, 2013|access-date=December 23, 2019|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625234945/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/tommy-ivan-devised-red-wings-famous-production-line/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Gerald|last=Eskenazi|title=Tommy Ivan, 88, Executive For Two Hockey Champions|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/27/sports/tommy-ivan-88-executive-for-two-hockey-champions.html|website=The New York Times|date=June 27, 1999|access-date=September 7, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916134214/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/27/sports/tommy-ivan-88-executive-for-two-hockey-champions.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By his second season, Howe was paired with [[Sid Abel]] and [[Ted Lindsay]] to form what would become one of the great lines in NHL history: the "[[Production Line (ice hockey)|Production Line]]".<ref name="Production Line"/> Lindsay's 33 goals propelled the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they were swept by the Maple Leafs.<ref name="1948 Wings"/> Detroit reached the Finals again the following season, only to be swept again by Toronto.<ref name="1949 Wings"/>