The Grind Line: Will the Red Wings Make the Playoffs 2023-24?

What’s The Grind Line? Apart from the once-famous line of Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby, and either Joe Kocur or Darren McCarty, The Grind Line is also The Hockey Writers’ weekly column about the Detroit Red Wings. This week Tony Wolak, Devin Little, Logan Horn, and Jordan Orth are the muckers who make up THW’s forechecking unit and sound off on Red Wings topics.

It has been years since Detroit Red Wings fans have talked about the playoffs with sincerity. The team’s playoff drought reached seven years last season, and key figures in the Red Wings’ front office and coaching staff still use the “R” word when referring to this team: rebuilding. Despite that, a busy offseason and a strong start to the 2023-24 season has people wondering if this is the season their playoff drought will come to an end.

Naturally, our panel of writers is mixed on whether or not this season’s group has what it takes to bring playoff hockey to Little Caesar’s Arena for the first time. Here’s what they think of the Red Wings’ playoff chances this season:

Wolak: Playoffs

No Jim Mora quote here—PLAYOFFS?!—the Red Wings have the talent, depth, and resources to make the 2024 NHL Playoffs.

I’m an optimist. I can see a path to the postseason. The Red Wings will score more this year. It’s possible that the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, and Florida Panthers take a slight step back, too.