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The Grind Line: The gears that powered the Detroit Red Wings to the summit
"Hockey Hall of Fame Coach Scotty 'Those four guys, they made all the difference'
The Grind Line, featuring some of the most popular athletes in Detroit sports history, is one of the most successful units in the history of the National Hockey League, and without peer among so-called 'fourth' lines, for those who insist on numbering them. Kris Draper, flanked by Kirk Maltby and Joe Kocur, and later Darren McCarty, deserve their rightful place in Detroit shoulder to shoulder with The Production Line – the most famous line in NHL Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay alongside Sid Abel, and later Alex Delvecchio, four men whose numbers hang from the rafters at Hockeytown's Little Caesars Arena. This book argues – and has the receipts to prove it – that the Grind Line was every bit as important in its era (1997-2009) as the Production Line was in the dynastic 1950s.
This is the remarkable story of how the Red Wings acquired all four players, one of them in a trade that cost Detroit $1 – for a player who went on to become only the fifth man to play more than 1,000 games for the club. Another was acquired in a trade that was widely considered a minor-league deal. The other two had to plead their way back to the NHL with Detroit after it appeared their careers were over. One of them had been playing beer-league senior hockey before his second chance, and he made it count by winning three Stanley Cup rings with the team.
Bowman, the Hall of Famer widely considered to be the greatest coach in the history of the sport, wrote the foreword to this book. And it's only fitting since he was most responsible for putting the line together and deploying it with lethal results.
"
The Grind Line, featuring some of the most popular athletes in Detroit sports history, is one of the most successful units in the history of the National Hockey League, and without peer among so-called 'fourth' lines, for those who insist on numbering them. Kris Draper, flanked by Kirk Maltby and Joe Kocur, and later Darren McCarty, deserve their rightful place in Detroit shoulder to shoulder with The Production Line – the most famous line in NHL Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay alongside Sid Abel, and later Alex Delvecchio, four men whose numbers hang from the rafters at Hockeytown's Little Caesars Arena. This book argues – and has the receipts to prove it – that the Grind Line was every bit as important in its era (1997-2009) as the Production Line was in the dynastic 1950s.
This is the remarkable story of how the Red Wings acquired all four players, one of them in a trade that cost Detroit $1 – for a player who went on to become only the fifth man to play more than 1,000 games for the club. Another was acquired in a trade that was widely considered a minor-league deal. The other two had to plead their way back to the NHL with Detroit after it appeared their careers were over. One of them had been playing beer-league senior hockey before his second chance, and he made it count by winning three Stanley Cup rings with the team.
Bowman, the Hall of Famer widely considered to be the greatest coach in the history of the sport, wrote the foreword to this book. And it's only fitting since he was most responsible for putting the line together and deploying it with lethal results.
"
218 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2025
5 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Keith Gave
9 books5 followersKeith Gave spent six years in the United States Army as a Russian linguist working for the National Security Agency during the Cold War. Nothing could have better prepared him for a career as a sports writer covering hockey for the Detroit Free Press.
His 15 years with the newspaper were the highlight of a career spanning nearly 40 years in the news industry, which include 14 years as a college journalism instructor. He also contributed as a writer/producer to the documentary film, The Russian Five, scheduled for release in 2018. He lives in Roscommon, Michigan, where he continues to write when he’s not sneaking off to cast a fly to the trout on his home waters of the Au Sable River.
His 15 years with the newspaper were the highlight of a career spanning nearly 40 years in the news industry, which include 14 years as a college journalism instructor. He also contributed as a writer/producer to the documentary film, The Russian Five, scheduled for release in 2018. He lives in Roscommon, Michigan, where he continues to write when he’s not sneaking off to cast a fly to the trout on his home waters of the Au Sable River.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 6, 2025
A fascinating read with good stories and interviews. Perfect for fans of the Red Wings, or hockey in general.
May 29, 2025
Some good stories. Barry Smith was Scotty Bowman’s bitch.
June 24, 2025
growing up watching these guys play was such a treat. to hear their stories first hand was truly great! Love this book so very much!
December 25, 2025
Great book, good stories. Just a big redundant and obviously rushed given typos and same stories told.
February 23, 2026
Keith Gave is the best!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews