The Grind Line - A Detroit Red Wings Podcast

The Red Wings lose 5-4 in overtime to New Jersey and sit 1-3-2, but the night brings the first real good news of the season: Alex DeBrincat is signing a seven-year, $91 million extension. Greg, Ryan and Tyler go through the contract details, the no-trade protection, and why DeBrincat, Emmett Finney and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (all four Detroit goals against New Jersey) are the best thing about this team right now.

They also take on John Gibson’s slow start and the case for Daniil Tarasov, Moritz Seider’s best play of the year, Justin Faulk’s defensive trouble, and the newest Simon Edvinsson update, including the Flyers rumor.

Second half: the hosts ask whether the locker room has a losing mentality, whether it’s time to clear out the veterans left over from the Yzerman era and hand the team to the kids, and how the Dylan Larkin situation is weighing on everyone. Tyler makes the case that this roster is closer to good than it looks.

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The Red Wings beat Ottawa with Dylan Larkin back in the lineup and no C on his jersey. Greg and Ryan break down the night: Larkin booed on every touch, then named first star after a goal and an assist, two goals from Alex DeBrincat, three assists from Lucas Raymond, Justin Faulk’s 500th point, and Emmitt Finnie dropping the gloves for the first time.

They also dig into the rookies. Anton Johansson, William Wallinder, Carter Mazur, and Nate Danielson all had strong nights, and MBN keeps running through people at 14 minutes a game. Plus the 5v5 numbers behind the win and Larkin’s looser postgame interview.

Second half: reports that Jeff Greenberg was the preferred GM candidate before pulling out over autonomy, Frank Seravalli on Shawn Horcoff working with “training wheels,” and what it says about Chris Ilitch’s grip on the hockey side. The hosts compare how other NHL owners run their teams, walk through what an NHL takeover would take, and talk about what fans can do while the GM search sits on pause.

Questions for the show? Email [email protected]

Remember to follow us on Twitter & Instagram @GrindLinePod and join our Discord at discord.gg/mQ6KP6ePGX

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Simon Edvinsson is still in Sweden, the Red Wings are 0-2, and now there are reports he might want out. Greg and Ryan go through the four reports from October 5th, including Elliotte Friedman's update, Chris Johnson's report that the first contract offer didn't come until mid-September, and Dave Pagnotta's number on the six-year pitch that Greg says falls well short of the market.

Before that, Kris Draper moves over to run pro scouting, and Chris Ilitch posts a statement on LinkedIn after opening night. Ryan was at the home opener and describes what it looked like from the stands: boos during intros, noticeably empty seats, "sell the team" chants, and Larkin jerseys with the name crossed out.

Then the games. Emmitt Finneie looks like a natural at center, MBN keeps getting to the front of the net, and the vets are still shaking off rust after a shortened preseason. Plus a closer look at Anton Johansson, who has been one of the best things about the start of the season.

Questions for the show? Email [email protected]

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Three days before puck drop, Simon Edvinsson still doesn't have a locker in the Red Wings dressing room. Greg and Tyler break down the contract standoff, the reported $9-10 million ask, the bridge-deal rumors, and why locking up a 23-year-old, 6'6" defenseman shouldn't be this hard.

Then the 23-man opening night roster is out. Full breakdown of the lines and pairings, the center depth problems up front, and real bright spots on defense with Anton Johansson and a goaltending tandem that looks like an actual upgrade.

Second half: JFresh's 2026-27 standings projection has the Red Wings near the bottom of the league, what the lineup looks like if Dylan Larkin actually suits up, and Bob Duff's report that the Larkin situation may already be past the point of reconciliation.

Questions for the show? Email [email protected]

Remember to follow us on Twitter & Instagram @GrindLinePod and join our Discord at discord.gg/mQ6KP6ePGX

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Preseason hockey is finally on the TV, and Greg and Ryan cover two games worth of storylines. First: reports that Dan Cleary is taking over as Grand Rapids GM while Shawn Horcoff runs Detroit as interim. What it actually means, and why the "who has Cleary developed" question has a longer answer than people give it credit for.

Then the games. A goalie duel in Columbus that ended in a scoreless shootout loss, with Tarasov and the Postava combining for a shutout through overtime. Axel Sandin-Pellikka's game looking sharper by the period. Nate Danielson and William Wallander both making a case for a roster spot. And Carter Bear's rough first outing setting up a real roster battle with Michael Brandsegg-Nygård who answers with a two-goal night against Pittsburgh.

Plus the waiver wire: six players sent down to start Grand Rapids camp, and a genuinely confusing update on Simon Edvinsson's contract.

Questions for the show? Email [email protected]

Remember to follow us on Twitter & Instagram @GrindLinePod and join our Discord at discord.gg/mQ6KP6ePGX

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Shawn Horcoff gets named interim GM two months into the search, and it plays like a fallback after Chris Ilitch's first choice said no. Greg and Ryan break down what Horcoff actually confirmed about Edvinsson and DeBrincat, and how an eighteen-minute presser still managed to say almost nothing.

Then Dylan Larkin sits down for his first media session since requesting a trade and gives no explanation, no confirmation that the request still stands, and a captaincy answer that rubbed both hosts the wrong way. What he said, what he dodged, and why it landed so badly.

Second half: Todd McLellan's press conference, easily the most substantive of the week. Marco Kasper's shooting percentage regression explained with an Ovechkin comparison, who steps up now that Patrick Kane and James van Riemsdyk are gone, and the roster battle between MBN and Carter Bear heading into a shortened preseason.

Questions for the show? Email [email protected]

Remember to follow us on Twitter & Instagram @GrindLinePod and join our Discord at discord.gg/mQ6KP6ePGX

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Dylan Larkin finally has a statement, and it says nothing. Greg and Ryan break down why his training camp comments changed nothing about the trade request, and why the Red Wings stripped the captaincy heading into the 2026-27 season with still no general manager hired. The team put out three separate statements this week - camp attendance, the trade request, and the captaincy - and none of them move the story forward.

Then Sean Shapiro's report tying Scott White to the Red Wings GM search. What Jim Nill has said, what Chris Ilitch hasn't, and why the owner's media silence is turning into its own storyline two months into the search.

Second half: the prospect tournament wraps up, and Carter Bear looked like the best player on the ice in both games. Greg and Ryan talk about his path to a roster spot, where Anton Johansson stands on the back end, and why a GM search dragging this deep into September is already costing the team development time it doesn't have.

Questions for the show? Email [email protected]

Remember to follow us on Twitter & Instagram @GrindLinePod and join our Discord at discord.gg/mQ6KP6ePGX

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The GM searchmight have an answer. Nobody's saying who yet. Greg is joined by Jake Rivard from Octopus Thrower to break down what they're hearing on the Red Wings GM decision, why Alex DeBrincat's comments this week should calm some nerves, and why the Zeev Buium contract just made Simon Edvinsson a lot more expensive. Plus Dylan Larkin's media blackout and a moment for Barry Melrose.

Follow the show at @grindlinepod. New episodes every week. #LGRW

Questions for the show? Email [email protected]

Remember to follow us on Twitter & Instagram @GrindLinePod and join our Discord at discord.gg/mQ6KP6ePGX

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Greg and Ryan return with GM search updates on Brett Peterson and Jeff Kealty, plus a wild report that Chris Ilitch may have personally blocked a Steven Stamkos signing. Then, with Connor Hellebuyck's trade request making headlines alongside Dylan Larkin's, they break down how NHL no-trade clauses actually work and pitch real fixes for how the next CBA could rework them.

Follow the show at @grindlinepod. New episodes every week. #LGRW

Remember to follow us on Twitter & Instagram @GrindLinePod and join our Discord at discord.gg/mQ6KP6ePGX

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Mailbag episode. Greg and Ryan cover the GM search update with Turnkey/ZRG Partners hired, the latest on Dylan Larkin's unchanged trade request, then dig into your questions on Albert Johansson's ceiling, whether the Wings could finish dead last, Todd McClellan's coaching style, and draft/free agency scenarios for 2027.

Follow the show at @grindlinepod. New episodes every week. #LGRW

Remember to follow us on Twitter & Instagram @GrindLinePod and join our Discord at discord.gg/mQ6KP6ePGX

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