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. Jacob Messing, Tony
 Wolak and Rachel Anderson are the muckers who make up THW's forechecking unit
 and sound off on Red Wings topics.

After two years of bottom feeding, the Detroit Red Wings don't appear any
closer to a return to the playoffs, but there could be a series of
circumstances that could see the team squeak back into the postseason in 2019.

There's a handful of interesting storylines in Hockeytown ahead of the 2018-19
campaign, including some incoming youth, a new offensive coach, and a proven
goaltender capable of stealing the crease.

Only an 82-game schedule will determine which storylines made a difference in
Detroit, if any, but here, The Grind Line personnel discusses some heading into
 a fresh season.Jacob Messing: An Opened Offense

During the first three years of coach Jeff Blashill's tenure, the offense has
been held back by an overwhelming reliance on dump and chase hockey. The great
Red Wings teams of the past maintained possession, controlled the game, and
played in the offensive zone.

The team doesn't boast the high-end offensive talent of that era, but they are
more than capable of gaining the zone and setting up. Instead, since day one
under Blashill, far too many shifts have been spent chasing the puck in the
defensive zone, only to end with a dump and change, forgoing any offensive zone
 time.

Blashill needs to play to his strength, which is all too discernibly his
forward group. The youth and trajectory of Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha,
Andreas Athanasiou, and Tyler Bertuzzi is enticing for Red Wings fans. Add in
one or two of Filip Zadina, Michael Rasmussen, and Evgeny Svechnikov and the
top-six could be as dynamic as it is young in the next few years.Zadina is
hungry to prove he slipped in June';s draft and earn a large role with the team
 this season (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Aside from the obvious offensive prowess, these players combine for enviable
size and speed, which would make for easy zone entry, set up and net front
distraction. The young guns' continued offensive growth is the No. 1 aspect
that could see them outscore their problems and potentially earn a playoff
berth in 2019. Tony Wolak: Team Speed & 'The Process';

Far too often last season (and the year before), the Red Wings did not play a
complete game. On occasions, they started late, sometimes down by a goal or
two. On other nights, Detroit faltered late and gave up the lead and potential
points. 

If the Red Wings could follow "the process" on most nights, they would do
significantly better in the standings and grow as a team. This is entirely
possible with the talent they have up front (as Jacob alluded to above) and
their team speed.

How many times last year did we see Larkin, Athanasiou, and Darren Helm streak
through the neutral zone and have a breakaway? How many times did those players
 plus others catch opponents sleeping and attack on an odd-man rush? The
offensive, quick-strike talent is there - they just need to be more consistent,
 which starts with committing to the game plan.

FINAL ROUND: You've narrowed it down, now it's time to decide! Which one of
these #RedWings highlight do you think was the BEST of the 17-18 season? #LGRW

Watch below to see both highlights!

- Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 26, 2018

Sure, the defense is not good. There's no denying that. But this can be masked
somewhat by relentless forecheck in all zones. It's hard for opponents to score
 if they';re constantly under pressure to move the puck - just look at what
Vegas was able to accomplish last season with their 'golden misfits';, a hot
goaltender, and 100 percent commitment to the coach's system. Why can't Detroit
 do the same?Rachel Anderson: Crease Competition

In a perfect world, Detroit's goaltending, defensive and offensive woes would
go away with the snap of a finger. But that's not the case. In order to be a
playoff contending team, there's much work to be done. No doubt, the Wings have
 the bones to create a youthful and successful playoff team. 

Jonathan Bernier could be a valuable piece in the equation. Jimmy Howard's
consistency has been iffy in recent seasons, so having an experienced and
confident backup will give Detroit tending flexibility. Bernier is coming into
the organization with a highly competitive mindset and a hope of cracking the
starting spot.

"I didn';t want to be in a position where I played 15-20 games, I want to come
in and have a chance to play as much as possible," Bernier told Ansar Khan of
MLive. "Obviously, depending on my play, but I just thought it was a great
opportunity that me and Jimmy [Howard] can battle for games."Bernier posted a
19-13-3 record with the Colorado Avalanche last year on the heels of a .913 SV%
 and 2.85 GAA (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Bernier's competitiveness in regards to Howard can help push Howard to either
improve his game to keep his net or move aside for one who will challenge the
opposition on the ice. Howard, who only has one year remaining, hasn't been the
 strongest in recent seasons, so having a little pushback from the would-be
backup may encourage him to step it up.

Along with defensive and offensive struggles-the Wings have hoards of young
talent coming down the line-the goaltending prospects are still a ways away
from being ready. These past playoffs proved that incredibly talented
goaltending was critical - not just an aggressive forecheck. In order to meet
the demands of a quick and close style of play, the Wings' goaltending needs to
 shape up - Bernier may just be the man to spur that one.

The post The Grind Line: Red Wings Recipe for 2019 Playoffs appeared first on
The Hockey Writers.

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