Way-back Playback: Brett Hull scores No. 700

The 2002-03 season was one of transition for the Detroit Red Wings.

After winning their fourth Stanley Cup in six seasons, Scottie Bowman and Dominik Hasek retired, while captain Steve Yzerman was forced to sit out the first 66 games following major knee surgery.

Yet, the remnants of a Stanley Cup champion remained.

The Red Wings still hosted a potent blend of energetic youth and practiced veterans who combined to produce many spectacular moments.

And one of these came 12 years ago to the day, when future superstar Pavel Datsyuk threaded a gorgeous cross-ice pass to Brett Hull, who reached a milestone only the purist of snipers could ever dream of attaining:

Seven-hundred goals.

He was the second-fastest player - and only sixth in league history - to hit the 700-goal plateau, joining Gordie Howe, Marcel Dionne, Phil Esposito, Mike Gartner and the only man to accomplish it quicker - Wayne Gretzky.

Hull played one more season for the Red Wings before a five-game stint with the Phoenix Coyotes that spelled the end of his playing days. He finished with 741 goals - third-most all time - and 1391 points.