Grind Line
The Grind Line refers to a former forward line for the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings. Red Wings head coach Scotty Bowman modeled it after the Crash Line of the 1995 Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils. History The original Grind Line in Detroit consisted of Kris Draper, Joe Kocur, and Kirk Maltby, during the Red Wings' heyday in the late-1990s. Draper played the centre position and was known for his speed and ability to win face-offs. Maltby played left-wing and served as a checking forward and agitator in the Wings' left-wing lock defensive scheme. Kocur played right wing and served as a physical presence and team enforcer. During the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals, the line was effective against the Philadelphia Flyers' "Legion of Doom" line that featured Eric Lindros, John LeClair, and Mikael Renberg. After the 1998 season, Darren McCarty replaced Joe Kocur as the third linemate. The line was effective at "grinding" and wearing down the opposition's top-scoring line by providing an enforcing presence, helping the team win four Stanley Cups. After the 2004–05 NHL lockout in 2005, McCarty's contract was bought out by the team in an effort to make them compliant with the new salary