1970–71 Detroit Red Wings season



The 1970-71 Detroit Red Wings season was the Red Wings' 45th season. The Red Wings finished 6th in the East Division and did not qualify for the playoffs. It was Gordie Howe's final season with the Red Wings.

Off-season
Ned Harkness was hired as coach in 1970 and was promoted to general manager midway through the season. His background was a successful college hockey coach. He tried to force his two-way style of play on a veteran Red Wings team resistant to change. Harkness also demanded short hair, no smoking, and put other rules in place regarding drinking and phone calls.

Regular Season
Red Wings general manager Sid Abel wanted to get rid of coach Ned Harkness and was overruled by team owner Bruce Norris. Once Harkness took over as general manager, he got rid of players he deemed a threat to him. On January 13, 1971, Frank Mahovlich was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for Mickey Redmond, Guy Charron and Bill Collins. Mahovlich was reunited with his brother Pete, who had become a star player himself with the Canadiens. One of the few highlights of the season was the emergence of young rookie goaltender Jim Rutherford. On October 29, Gordie Howe became the first player to record 1000 career assists in a 5–3 win over Boston at the Detroit Olympia. The Wings suffered their worst defeat in franchise history January 2, when Toronto beat them 13–0.

Playoffs

 * The Red Wings did not qualify for the post season.

Forwards
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Defencemen
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Goaltending
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average

Awards and Records

 * The Red Wings won no awards this season.