The time when Wayne Gretzky was almost traded to the Detroit Red Wings

ESPN's 30 For 30 documentary delves into this trade, revealing that Gretzky chose between the Los Angeles Kings and the Detroit Red Wings.

Had Wayne Gretzky chosen the Detroit Red Wings, the NHL landscape might have been very different. The trade involved Gretzky, Mike Krushelnyski, and Marty McSorley going to the Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, three first-round picks, and $15 million. If Detroit had secured Wayne Gretzky, they would have given up key players like Adam Oates and Petr Klima, along with draft picks that turned into Mike Sillinger, Martin Lapointe, and Anders Eriksson.

Wayne Gretzky's presence might have altered the Detroit Red Wings' draft history, potentially preventing the selection of future stars like Nick Lidstrom and Sergei Fedorov. Moreover, Wayne Gretzky's arrival could have impacted Steve Yzerman's role and development, possibly affecting the team's future coaching decisions and Stanley Cup successes.

While Wayne Gretzky in Detroit could have brought immediate success, the Detroit Red Wings' eventual path to four Stanley Cups since 1988 may have been jeopardized, suggesting their journey to greatness was worth the wait.

Source: The Hockey Writers
Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings