# 1985–86 Detroit Red Wings season

The 1985–86 season was the team's 60th season, their 54th season as the Red Wings. The Red Wings missed the playoffs by finishing dead last in the Norris Division, the Clarence Campbell Conference, and in the entire National Hockey League with a record of 17 wins, 57 losses and 6 ties, for a total of 40 points, the worst record in franchise history In addition, they finished the season with the fewest goals scored of all NHL teams, the most goals against, and the most penalty minutes.

## Regular season
### Final standings

Norris Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Chicago Black Hawks | 80 | 39 | 33 | 8 | 351 | 349 | 86 |
| Minnesota North Stars | 80 | 38 | 33 | 9 | 327 | 305 | 85 |
| St. Louis Blues | 80 | 37 | 34 | 9 | 302 | 291 | 83 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 80 | 25 | 48 | 7 | 311 | 386 | 57 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 80 | 17 | 57 | 6 | 266 | 415 | 40 |
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

### Record vs. opponents

Norris Division record vs. opponents :
Vs. Campbell Conference
Vs. Norris Division
1985–86 NHL records
Team
CHI
DET
MIN
STL
TOR
Total
Chicago
—6−23−3−25−32−616−14−2
Detroit
2−6—1−6−12−5−13−4−18−21−3
Minnesota
3−3−26−1−1—4−3−17−0−120−7−5
St. Louis
3−55−2−13−4−1—3−3−214−14−4
Toronto
6−24−3−10−7−13−3−2—13−15−4
Vs. Smythe Division
1985–86 NHL records
Team
CGY
EDM
LAK
VAN
WIN
Total
Chicago
2−10−31−0−23−02−18−5−2
Detroit
0−2−10−32−10−30−32−12−1
Minnesota
2−0−11−21−21−21−26−8−1
St. Louis
2−11−1−11−1−13−02−19−4−2
Toronto
1−21−21−20−2−11−1−14−9−2
Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Adams Division
1985–86 NHL records
Team
BOS
BUF
HFD
MTL
QUE
Total
Chicago
2−12−12−10−2−11−27−7−1
Detroit
1−21−1−11−20−31−24−10−1
Minnesota
0−31−22−11−1−11−25−9−1
St. Louis
2−11−21−1−12−12−18−6−1
Toronto
0−2−12−10−31−20−33−11−1
Vs. Patrick Division
1985–86 NHL records
Team
NJD
NYI
NYR
PHI
PIT
WSH
Total
Chicago
1−22−0−13−00−2−11−1−11−28−7−3
Detroit
0−2−10−30−31−21−21−23−14−1
Minnesota
2−12−0−12−10−2−10−31−27−9−2
St. Louis
2−11−1−11−1−11−21−20−36−10−2
Toronto
2−10−31−21−20−31−25−13−0 :

## Schedule and results

| No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record |
| 1 | T | October 10, 1985 | 6–6 OT | Minnesota North Stars (1985–86) | 0–0–1 |
| 2 | L | October 12, 1985 | 2–9 | Boston Bruins (1985–86) | 0–1–1 |
| 3 | L | October 14, 1985 | 1–6 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1985–86) | 0–2–1 |
| 4 | L | October 16, 1985 | 3–4 | Winnipeg Jets (1985–86) | 0–3–1 |
| 5 | L | October 17, 1985 | 1–10 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1985–86) | 0–4–1 |
| 6 | L | October 19, 1985 | 2–6 | Chicago Black Hawks (1985–86) | 0–5–1 |
| 7 | L | October 23, 1985 | 0–5 | Vancouver Canucks (1985–86) | 0–6–1 |
| 8 | L | October 26, 1985 | 4–7 | @ Calgary Flames (1985–86) | 0–7–1 |
| 9 | L | October 27, 1985 | 3–5 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1985–86) | 0–8–1 |
| 10 | W | October 30, 1985 | 6–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1985–86) | 1–8–1 |
| 11 | T | October 31, 1985 | 2–2 OT | @ New Jersey Devils (1985–86) | 1–8–2 |
| 12 | T | November 2, 1985 | 5–5 OT | @ St. Louis Blues (1985–86) | 1–8–3 |
| 13 | W | November 6, 1985 | 4–2 | St. Louis Blues (1985–86) | 2–8–3 |
| 14 | T | November 8, 1985 | 3–3 OT | Toronto Maple Leafs (1985–86) | 2–8–4 |
| 15 | L | November 11, 1985 | 0–5 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1985–86) | 2–9–4 |
| 16 | W | November 13, 1985 | 7–2 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1985–86) | 3–9–4 |
| 17 | W | November 16, 1985 | 4–2 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1985–86) | 4–9–4 |
| 18 | L | November 19, 1985 | 5–7 | Vancouver Canucks (1985–86) | 4–10–4 |
| 19 | L | November 21, 1985 | 4–5 OT | Los Angeles Kings (1985–86) | 4–11–4 |
| 20 | L | November 23, 1985 | 3–9 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1985–86) | 4–12–4 |
| 21 | W | November 27, 1985 | 4–1 | Buffalo Sabres (1985–86) | 5–12–4 |
| 22 | W | November 29, 1985 | 5–3 | St. Louis Blues (1985–86) | 6–12–4 |
| 23 | L | November 30, 1985 | 1–10 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1985–86) | 6–13–4 |
| 24 | W | December 3, 1985 | 4–1 | Philadelphia Flyers (1985–86) | 7–13–4 |
| 25 | L | December 4, 1985 | 2–5 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1985–86) | 7–14–4 |
| 26 | L | December 7, 1985 | 4–5 | @ St. Louis Blues (1985–86) | 7–15–4 |
| 27 | L | December 11, 1985 | 2–10 | Minnesota North Stars (1985–86) | 7–16–4 |
| 28 | L | December 14, 1985 | 4–6 | Philadelphia Flyers (1985–86) | 7–17–4 |
| 29 | L | December 15, 1985 | 4–6 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1985–86) | 7–18–4 |
| 30 | L | December 17, 1985 | 3–6 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1985–86) | 7–19–4 |
| 31 | L | December 21, 1985 | 3–6 | Chicago Black Hawks (1985–86) | 7–20–4 |
| 32 | L | December 23, 1985 | 2–10 | @ New York Rangers (1985–86) | 7–21–4 |
| 33 | L | December 26, 1985 | 4–5 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1985–86) | 7–22–4 |
| 34 | W | December 28, 1985 | 5–4 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1985–86) | 8–22–4 |
| 35 | L | December 29, 1985 | 2–5 | @ Hartford Whalers (1985–86) | 8–23–4 |
| 36 | L | December 31, 1985 | 4–5 OT | New York Islanders (1985–86) | 8–24–4 |
| 37 | T | January 2, 1986 | 2–2 OT | Buffalo Sabres (1985–86) | 8–24–5 |
| 38 | L | January 4, 1986 | 2–7 | Quebec Nordiques (1985–86) | 8–25–5 |
| 39 | W | January 5, 1986 | 6–5 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1985–86) | 9–25–5 |
| 40 | L | January 7, 1986 | 3–4 | @ Washington Capitals (1985–86) | 9–26–5 |
| 41 | L | January 10, 1986 | 4–9 | Chicago Black Hawks (1985–86) | 9–27–5 |
| 42 | L | January 11, 1986 | 2–8 | @ New York Islanders (1985–86) | 9–28–5 |
| 43 | L | January 13, 1986 | 4–7 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1985–86) | 9–29–5 |
| 44 | L | January 15, 1986 | 3–4 OT | New Jersey Devils (1985–86) | 9–30–5 |
| 45 | L | January 18, 1986 | 4–7 | Calgary Flames (1985–86) | 9–31–5 |
| 46 | L | January 19, 1986 | 4–6 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1985–86) | 9–32–5 |
| 47 | W | January 22, 1986 | 6–5 OT | Boston Bruins (1985–86) | 10–32–5 |
| 48 | L | January 23, 1986 | 2–5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1985–86) | 10–33–5 |
| 49 | L | January 25, 1986 | 3–6 | @ Boston Bruins (1985–86) | 10–34–5 |
| 50 | W | January 28, 1986 | 7–0 | Washington Capitals (1985–86) | 11–34–5 |
| 51 | L | January 31, 1986 | 4–6 | St. Louis Blues (1985–86) | 11–35–5 |
| 52 | L | February 1, 1986 | 3–4 | @ St. Louis Blues (1985–86) | 11–36–5 |
| 53 | W | February 6, 1986 | 4–3 OT | Hartford Whalers (1985–86) | 12–36–5 |
| 54 | L | February 8, 1986 | 3–5 | Montreal Canadiens (1985–86) | 12–37–5 |
| 55 | L | February 11, 1986 | 2–3 | Edmonton Oilers (1985–86) | 12–38–5 |
| 56 | L | February 14, 1986 | 5–7 | New York Rangers (1985–86) | 12–39–5 |
| 57 | L | February 16, 1986 | 1–3 | @ New York Rangers (1985–86) | 12–40–5 |
| 58 | L | February 18, 1986 | 0–5 | @ St. Louis Blues (1985–86) | 12–41–5 |
| 59 | L | February 21, 1986 | 3–7 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1985–86) | 12–42–5 |
| 60 | L | February 22, 1986 | 2–5 | @ New York Islanders (1985–86) | 12–43–5 |
| 61 | L | February 25, 1986 | 3–4 OT | @ Washington Capitals (1985–86) | 12–44–5 |
| 62 | L | February 28, 1986 | 3–7 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1985–86) | 12–45–5 |
| 63 | W | March 1, 1986 | 6–4 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1985–86) | 13–45–5 |
| 64 | L | March 3, 1986 | 5–8 | Minnesota North Stars (1985–86) | 13–46–5 |
| 65 | W | March 5, 1986 | 8–3 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1985–86) | 14–46–5 |
| 66 | L | March 6, 1986 | 2–7 | @ New Jersey Devils (1985–86) | 14–47–5 |
| 67 | T | March 9, 1986 | 3–3 OT | Calgary Flames (1985–86) | 14–47–6 |
| 68 | W | March 12, 1986 | 3–0 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1985–86) | 15–47–6 |
| 69 | L | March 14, 1986 | 3–12 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1985–86) | 15–48–6 |
| 70 | L | March 16, 1986 | 0–6 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1985–86) | 15–49–6 |
| 71 | L | March 18, 1986 | 4–6 | Hartford Whalers (1985–86) | 15–50–6 |
| 72 | L | March 20, 1986 | 2–3 OT | St. Louis Blues (1985–86) | 15–51–6 |
| 73 | W | March 22, 1986 | 8–4 | Chicago Black Hawks (1985–86) | 16–51–6 |
| 74 | L | March 25, 1986 | 2–7 | Edmonton Oilers (1985–86) | 16–52–6 |
| 75 | L | March 26, 1986 | 3–5 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1985–86) | 16–53–6 |
| 76 | L | March 29, 1986 | 4–5 | Minnesota North Stars (1985–86) | 16–54–6 |
| 77 | L | April 1, 1986 | 0–4 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1985–86) | 16–55–6 |
| 78 | L | April 2, 1986 | 3–6 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1985–86) | 16–56–6 |
| 79 | L | April 5, 1986 | 3–5 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1985–86) | 16–57–6 |
| 80 | W | April 6, 1986 | 4–2 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1985–86) | 17–57–6 |

## Player statistics
### Regular season
#### Scoring

| Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/− | PPG | SHG | GWG |
| John Ogrodnick | LW | 76 | 38 | 32 | 70 | 18 | −30 | 15 | 1 | 2 |
| Kelly Kisio | C | 76 | 21 | 48 | 69 | 85 | −21 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Reed Larson | D | 67 | 19 | 41 | 60 | 109 | −36 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Petr Klima | W | 74 | 32 | 24 | 56 | 16 | −39 | 8 | 0 | 4 |
| Ron Duguay | C/RW | 67 | 19 | 29 | 48 | 26 | −30 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| Warren Young | C | 79 | 22 | 24 | 46 | 161 | −34 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| Steve Yzerman | C | 51 | 14 | 28 | 42 | 16 | −24 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Gerard Gallant | LW | 52 | 20 | 19 | 39 | 106 | −10 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Greg Smith | D | 62 | 5 | 19 | 24 | 84 | −14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Claude Loiselle | C | 48 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 142 | −27 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Chris Cichocki | RW | 59 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 21 | −8 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Bob Probert | LW | 44 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 186 | −14 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Adam Oates | C | 38 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 10 | −24 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Dwight Foster | RW | 55 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 48 | −13 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Randy Ladouceur | D | 78 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 196 | −54 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Danny Gare | RW | 57 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 102 | −19 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Joe Kocur | RW | 59 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 377 | −24 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| John Barrett | D | 65 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 125 | −29 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jim Leavins | D | 37 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 26 | −23 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike McEwen | D | 29 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 16 | −8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike O'Connell | D | 13 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 16 | −6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Billy Carroll | C | 21 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 11 | −8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harold Snepsts | D | 35 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 75 | −7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Lambert | RW | 34 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 130 | −11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Doug Shedden | C | 11 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | −1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Darren Veitch | D | 13 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | −9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steve Richmond | D | 29 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 82 | −18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tim Friday | D | 23 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | −9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Speers | RW | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Glenn Merkosky | C | 17 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | −12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Greg Stefan | G | 37 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shawn Burr | LW/C | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Eddie Johnstone | RW | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bruce Eakin | C | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | −4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Eddie Mio | G | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ray Staszak | RW | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | −3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rick Zombo | D | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 16 | −10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Doug Houda | D | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | −7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mark LaForest | G | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Basil McRae | LW | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | −4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Barry Melrose | D | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 70 | −6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Corrado Micalef | G | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Pusey | G | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

#### Goaltending

| Player | MIN | GP | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SO | SA | SV | SV% |
| Greg Stefan | 2068 | 37 | 10 | 20 | 5 | 155 | 4.50 | 1 | 1080 | 925 | .856 |
| Mark LaForest | 1383 | 28 | 4 | 21 | 0 | 114 | 4.95 | 1 | 742 | 628 | .846 |
| Eddie Mio | 788 | 18 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 83 | 6.32 | 0 | 453 | 370 | .817 |
| Corrado Micalef | 565 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 52 | 5.52 | 0 | 342 | 290 | .848 |
| Chris Pusey | 40 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4.50 | 0 | 12 | 9 | .750 |
| Team: | 4844 | 80 | 17 | 57 | 6 | 407 | 5.04 | 2 | 2629 | 2222 | .845 |
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus-minus PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals;  MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA=Shots against; SV=Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

## Awards and records

This team set the NHL record for most fighting majors in a season with 154.

## Draft picks

Detroit's draft picks at the 1985 NHL Entry Draft held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
| 1 | 8 | Brent Fedyk | Canada | Regina Pats (WHL) |
| 2 | 29 | Jeff Sharples | Canada | Kelowna Wings (WHL) |
| 3 | 50 | Steve Chiasson | Canada | Guelph Platers (OHL) |
| 4 | 71 | Mark Gowans | United States | Windsor Compuware Spitfires (OHL) |
| 5 | 92 | Chris Luongo | United States | St. Clair Shores Falcons (NAHL) |
| 6 | 113 | Randy McKay | Canada | Michigan Technological University (WCHA) |
| 7 | 134 | Thomas Bjuhr | Sweden | AIK IF (Sweden) |
| 8 | 155 | Mike Luckraft | United States | Burnsville High School (USHS-MN) |
| 9 | 176 | Rob Schena | United States | St. John's School (USHS-MA) |
| 10 | 197 | Erik Hamalainen | Finland | Lukko (Finland) |
| 11 | 218 | Bo Svanberg | Sweden | Färjestad BK (Sweden) |
| 12 | 239 | Mikael Lindman | Sweden | AIK IF (Sweden) |