The Detroit Red Wings obtained another absolute late round steal as they often did in the late 80’s up until the late 90’s. Vladimir Konstantinov would line players up and deliver an extraordinary hit when the proper opportunity arose. In his first season (91/92) with Detroit after defecting from the Soviet Union, he was 24 years of age.
Konstantinov a member of the “Russian Five” as they liked to call themselves became a force to reckon with throughout the 1990’s in Hockeytown. Opponents found themselves a little leary to rush into a corner once they saw the red and white number 16 there.