Coffey poised to make history: defenseman with 1,000 assists

"Paul is such a performer," said Orr, the Hall of Fame defenseman known for his strong and artistic skating. "Paul's been an outstanding player in the NHL and I enjoy watching him play, but not as much as my father. Every time I talk to my dad he says, 'You see that Coffey skate? You could never skate like that.' Yep, he's a big fan of Paul's, as I am."

Troubled by repeated knee injuries, Orr played 12 NHL seasons seasons, but is credited with revolutionizing the role of offensive defensemen. In 12 seasons, Orr accumulated 645 assists, impressive considering the shorter seasons in the late '60s and '70s. Since then, Coffey and Boston's Ray Bourque have dominated point totals for defensemen and helped redefine the offensive defenseman. Bourque trails Coffey in assists with 927.

"It's amazing really, when only three other guys have done it," said Wings Coach Scotty Bowman, who also coached Coffey in Pittsburgh. "You can't do it unless you play a long time and play with a good team. But it goes both ways. It's nice to be on a good team, but you have to be good enough to play on that team. I don't know if anyone coming up can do what he and Bourque are doing."

There's the outside chance, but the odds are slim, Orr agreed.

"How many times have we heard that records will never be broken, yet they are?" Orr said. "I'm sure Raymond will get to 1,000, but Paul is going to continue to play and add to his totals. As far as a young defenseman in the league doing what Paul is about to do? I don't see it happening."

"It's not like there's a timetable for it, like I have to get it in the next two games or like getting 50 goals in 50 games. It would be nice if it happened in Detroit, in front of this crowd," Coffey said.

To have that happen, Coffey would probably have to rack up three assists tonight against Dallas. After that, the Wings play their next two games on the road -- Friday at the New York Rangers, then Tuesday at St. Louis.

Although Coffey already holds NHL records for most goals, assists and points for a defenseman, he maintains his humility. When he talks about even the most mundane and seemingly unimportant hockey game played midway through a season, Coffey speaks with enthusiasm. This is a man who loves the game.

His motivation? To have fun with the game, to help his club win. But most important, don't disappoint.

"I remember hearing Mike Bossy talking one time," Coffey said. "He was talking about how he can go out every night and play hard. He said that every night when there are 17,000 or 20,000 fans watching the Islanders, maybe one of them came to watch Mike Bossy play.

"I feel the same way. When I'm on the ice at Joe Louis, maybe there's one person in this arena who came to watch Paul Coffey play. Maybe it's one 12-year-old kid. Maybe it's a 50-year-old man. And maybe it's their only chance to come to a game that year. It's my obligation, it's our obligation to play our hardest for, maybe, that one fan who has come to watch us play. Granted, there are some nights when you just donUt have it, but you still go out and give it your best."

It's 16 years of that attitude -- plus ability -- that has landed Coffey in this historic spot. The idea of reaching 1,000 assists initially hit Coffey when the Wings played their first game of this season in Colorado. Entering this season he had 978 assists, and considering he averages about one assist per game, he knew what was ahead of him.

"Actually, I didn't know that it was just three guys who had done it before," Coffey said. "When you've got names like Gretz, Gordie and Marcel, geez, those are some pretty impressive guys. This is pretty special stuff."

And while the approaching accomplishment is exciting to anticipate, this time also gives Coffey a chance to reflect on past achievements. One that is in the forefront is the 1985 postseason, when Coffey accumulated 37 points in just 18 playoff games. That same season, teammate Gretzky ammassed 47 points, knocking Coffey out of the spotlight.

"But that is something I'm proud of," Coffey said. "I've thought about that one, 37 points in just 18 games. I'm proud of that."

Four at the top

Only three players -- all forwards -- have 1,000 assists. The Red Wings' Paul Coffey soon will be the first defenseman to join the list. All but Gretzky played for the Red Wings at one point in their careers.

Here is a rundown:

Wayne Gretzky 1,722*

Gordie Howe 1,049

Marcel Dionne 1,040

Paul Coffey 997

* Entering Wednesday night's game against Winnipeg.