Darren McCarty DEFENDS his 4 Stanley Cups with the Red Wings

Darren McCarty gets heated after Sam insults his contributions to the Detroit Red Wings 4 Stanley Cups he played on. Darren emphasizes just how important role players are to championship teams, and why no team can win without guys willing to do the dirty work.
#RedWings #NHL #WoodwardSports
Watch Our Shows Live on KZbin 7 Days a Week!
Morning Woodward Show | Monday-Friday 8am-10am
Big D Energy | Monday-Friday 11am-1pm
The Bottom Line | Monday-Friday 2pm-4pm
Woodward Bets | Monday-Friday 6pm-7pm & Saturday-Sunday 9am-10am
Follow The Woodward Sports Network!
Twitter: / woodwardsports
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@woodwardsport...
Instagram: / woodwardsports
Facebook: / woodwardsports
Download Our App for Apple: apps.apple.com/us/app/wsn-liv...
Download Our App for Android: play.google.com/store/apps/de...

[@AllThingsKen]

I hate when guys who never played sports think they know what they are tlaking about.

[@phitjuice8041]

Exactly you got a guy who played in the nhl and then you got an e level beer league player

[@jasongreer4569]

@@phitjuice8041 shit, the wouldn't even make it in the beer league.

[@mcqueenx75]

And what's worse is their wives wearing jerseys of players they don't even know who are...

[@jackmcfaddin960]

Exactly! Even beer league high competitive in South East Michigan. We just know that "Grind"!

[@tylerbouck3555]

💯

[@kendarsin]

If a book was written that detailed the redwings of the 90s and 00s, there would be an entire chapter on the GRIND line.

[@larrycattell2080]

Great point!

[@sammyweed4771]

There is and I have that book.

[@robertgielow3073]

What flannel needs to understand is the Grinders are a big part of it, when the star players are facing guys sent out to intimidate them , you put a Kocur or a McCarty out to shut that crap down. Like Dan Keczmer cheap shot on Steve Y. Not to mention when Detroit wanted to add toughness, Yzerman told Scotty B to give Joey Kocur a call.not to mention Joey has 3 cups!! Gretzky- McSorley, Yzerman-McCarty, or a Kocur or Probert. Those stars need those guys and know their value unlike that flannel wearing twit.

[@jamesbrown5600]

It's amazing how little some people know about sports and yet make a living on a sports network. Sam and Neal are perfect examples. Pitiful Sam, just pitiful.

[@AH13371]

Yeah Neal has to go

[@jamesbrown5600]

97 Cup, most endearing memory, Darren McCarty's incredible double move to be Dman Yanni Nienema (sp?) and goalie Ron Hextall, one of the greatest goals in Wings history.

[@The_Frozen_1]

For sure!!!! I still rewatch it from time to time. I even loved the slam dance along the boards afterwards.

[@klompsauce]

Looked like a 40 a year guy

[@theawayfan6052]

Gary Thornes call adds so much to this goal!

[@PygmySurfer]

Seriously - THIS is what I think of when I think of the 97 Cup run.

[@440x]

March 26 1997 is to me McCarthy most enduring moments he lit the spark of a dynasty that night

[@oceanshrugs9235]

This guy is a loon for coming at D-Mac lol. D Mac is right 100%

[@peterdragon6367]

People don’t understand how good you have to be to even make the 4th line in the NHL. McCarty played a long time in the NHL

[@paulmartin6209]

People don't relies that 3 and 4 lines are as important as the first two. They win championships, it takes everybody to win.

[@Nall412]

@MCDC that’s right too. Very very correct on that

[@Nall412]

Yea it’s funny how some people go on. Especially when it comes to players who are 4th liners.

[@achillesninja]

He wasnt that good

[@achillesninja]

@MCDC he had a small role and was very replaceable. Hes talking like he was some big deal. He wasn't. Backup goalies also sre part of the dynasty too. Soooooo

[@jamesbrown5600]

The bottom line is Darren McCarty's name is on the Cup 4 times. Nuff said. And Neal, most hockey players would rather win the Cup than be in the Hall.

[@DoneDealAC]

Ok he is still not a HOFer

[@AH13371]

@@DoneDealAC Of course not, so?

[@chevelle1]

Slava Kozlov was the most underrated player on those 90’s wings’ teams. #13 was the magician before Datsyuk arrived. Kozlov was tough, fast as hell and had great hands. He didn’t get a lot of ice time, but he made the most of it. Hated to see him go, but was a sacrifice to getting Hasek

[@1dominator]

Anyone who watched Darren McCarty knows that the wings would have had a very difficult time winning without him. He was a key contributor... without him, they wouldn't have won.

[@kentrey]

Darren just lit the whole fucken studio up with facts to close it out. That tied together perfectly. Is this Sam guy related to Fish?

[@railfankasey]

4th liners don't make hall of fames? two things 1. Rude 2. He still had a long winning career in the NHL surprised he didn't smack the flannel right off him

[@pjpredhomme7699]

yeah all those are true - the last thing D McCarty needs to do is lower himself by kicking the shit out of some troll who was trying to push his buttons. He has made plenty of mistakes in his life but he is still well above that .

[@harrygaskin7995]

He don’t know who the fuck he is talking to?! We got like 20 enduring Detroit Sports Icons & DMac is one of them. He is ours. He’s still in The D representing! And I would take a DMac over all the people who come and go and don’t give a fuck about the city when they retire!

[@matthowe768]

Depth wins cups. And when I think of the 97 cup, I think of D-Macs goal in game 4.

[@ryanshepard7281]

Go to the 08 win. One of the most important players was a guy that is so quickly forgotten. Cleary was a key piece to that cup run

[@pjpredhomme7699]

yeah those were the days when they could take reclamation projects and turn them into valuable contributors .

[@talica19161]

The grind line is the best line they did it all. Plus it's was a team effort not just a few guys.

[@98sevensix]

I don't think of a Wing's cup without thinking first of Mac's hat trick!

[@blutbaden6889]

Am I a long time Wings fan and Darren was my favorite player!! I loved the stars but I loved watching D-Mac!!

[@thenickfoxx]

Just because it's called the "4th" line doesn't mean shit. It's a role line. Without those guys the top 6 can only do so much. 4th liners are typically responsible for going against the opposing top lines and essentially going for puck possession and heavy forechecking/defense. Smh these dudes man. Plus Dmac has come in clutch so many times pulling moves like a top 6er.

[@JHockeyFan]

Look at Moen-Pahlsson-Niedermayer for the 2007 Ducks. Goodrow-Gourde-Coleman for the 2020 and 2021 Lightning. Bottom 6 lines are huge

[@noelle7356]

Every body in the 90s depended on MCCARTY to have there back go wings

[@jaybells7772]

McCarty was a huge part to the Red Wings success in the late 90’s….if anyone watched it back then they know

[@achillesninja]

Huge?

[@jaybells7772]

@@achillesninja absolutely, mostly for the Avs, I dont think they get past Colorado without him, not just for the fighting he scored some big goals against Colorado, I remember a hat trick and an OT winner on Roy, that rivalry was just as mental as physical

[@achillesninja]

@@jaybells7772 wings get another player like him and win. He's wasnt key imo

[@Casevillecountryboy]

I remember watching this live it was epic

[@jamesscheib4827]

The grind line were and will always be stars in the hearts of RED WINGS FANS 🤩 FOREVER

[@daussamp8054]

The statement is false. The Grind Line has always been. And shall every be. Thee quintessential ingredient bestowed up any champion period. Scott Bowmen regards these men paramount. Good-looking players that can score, like me can always be added. But. There not the core. Core! ( Steve Yzerman and the Grind Line ). The Core! Darren is by far the glue that permits victory.

[@toddjohnson271]

McCarty statement in March 97 tipped them over the edge. Yzerman, Fedorov, Lidstrom can not do that.

[@kattzculo7739]

#25 Rules ‼️ He made my summer of 97‼️ Sam ..... What a 🤡🍄

[@ppound12]

This guy’s incredibly disrespectful. Wow.

[@codyrichardson6348]

Flannel is out of his mind, he is a fun character although he is way off on this one

[@richardsawdon3401]

I went to Gordie Howe's hockey school for two years just before he left Detroit for the WHL. Gordie had his sons on the staff, which shouldn't surprise anyone--but he also had Bryan "Bugsy" Watson. I was too young at the time to really appreciate having Watson there, but as I grew older and understood the game better, I realized that he was there for exactly the reasons that D-Mac is saying.

[@pjpredhomme7699]

Bugsy was a great guy - I had the pleasure of going to his bar in Washington and meeting him . I got to tell him i grew up a red wings fan and remember his tilts in the early 70s - he just died a year or two ago - when i met him was mid 90s - and he was ready to go still at any time - as in nobody really got out of line in Bugsy's bar . BTW he was 5'8 and maybe 170lbs - then and when he played .

[@richardsawdon3401]

@@pjpredhomme7699 I was too young to know at the time that Watson made a name for himself by shutting down Bobby Hull in the 1966 Conference Semifinals. I did come away with his autograph on a stick, and it means a lot more to me today now that I know more about his history with the Wings.

[@jimgrathoff1313]

Darren played on the top two lines several times in the playoffs. Mac owned Roy is some of the biggest games played in that era. lol

[@thenickfoxx]

That burn at the end 😂

[@efogg3]

Doh! I think the flannel done seeped into your brains..oooops Sammy. The grind line is Legend! It's the shut down line! THE ENFORCER!

[@thehoss84]

I remember watching the Wings win their cups, it is painfully obvious how important DMac and the rest of the role players were to the championships. The grind line started a lot of games to get the momentum going and they were always good for an energy boost and like DMac pointed they were able to steal some games for the Wings at big times.

[@bretwilliams249]

How sure are we that the Wings would have even been in some of those Cup finals if Darren hadn't stepped up against the Avs? When I think back on '97 and '98 one of the names that comes to mind first is Darren McCarty!

[@VictorValiant24]

That's why he's my favorite. He was ready to go to hell and back for his teammates, and stuck up for Drapes at the PERFECT moment. #25 is a legend, and the Grind Line is a huge reason for 4 Cups in Hockeytown in 11 years.

[@christophertornow6482]

Yep.... that is why I have my signed D-Mac jersey framed up in my office, clearly because he has no influence and does not matter...... D-Mac is here for the community, not the glory. We need more D-Macs in the hockey community! Luckily, we got the OG!

[@jeremyking5596]

We still talk about McCarty' s hat trick vs Roy

[@matthewdeheus3124]

Absurd discussion. McCarty was as much a part of the identity of those teams than any of the stars. All time Red Wing.

[@kristopherverrett9108]

McCarty is a legend. This guy is confused.

[@pauljohnson9317]

Dmac and the entire grind line belongs in the hof without question. a good case could be made for the black aces too.....

[@landonshores7004]

My 2nd all time favorite Woodward clip, the initial confrontation was my favorite, lol.

[@dependentfanatic9684]

It starts with the TEAM! Build the Team and the Star will come. Everyone in Michigan knows McCarty throwing off the gloves and helping Detroit to win Every Title was VERY important

[@GeoffC19]

Highlight culture has skewed this perception so bad in modern sports

[@AnthonyC090]

On NHL 2002 McCarty was my dude. He was my Probert growing up!

[@jeremyking5596]

We remember March 97!

[@xRyeBredx]

Ive always said each teams top 2 lines will most likely cancel each other out and its up to who has the better depth. There have been many notable cup winning 3rd lines in recent memory, like the LA kings 70s line and Pens HBK line.

[@phitjuice8041]

Or the devils crash line

[@JHockeyFan]

Goodrow Gourde Coleman. Moen Pahlsson Niedermayer

[@youngbull16]

I don’t have the BALLS to tell a former pro athlete that their contribution to FOUR CHIPS didn’t matter

[@datcrazywhiteboy6205]

Yzerman should hire D MAC for coach

[@jacobgarcia2962]

It’s all about the team not just a few it’s the whole

[@hattorihanzo2275]

Let the little flannel kid have his click bait hot take moment. McCarty will always be a boss. My all-time favorite Wing.

[@CaseyBbees]

McCarty should go down in the NHL hall of fame, and also he deserves a UFC hall of fame gesture as well. The dude was an amazing goon who scored goals he stuck up for his team mates when they were cheap shot on. Loved watching him always knew it was gonna be a good game against the Avalanche

[@ejockofficial]

when I think of redwings first player comes to mind is mccarty second is probert.

[@Knards]

Darren scored one of the finest goals in history. I always put him up there with the greats because he always came through when needed

[@pauljohnson9317]

somebody do the stats on 4th lines....the grind line was ELITE......maybe the best EVER.....Edmunton had a hell of a 4th line .....

[@abbnorm]

Sam must not be old enough to remember D Mac’s run.

[@theawayfan6052]

Neil's Faces that he makes during this is so good! Still like ya Sam, but hopefully Dmac brings his Rings in next show so we can see how effective the Grind Line really was. When Sam started talking about '02, I think he forgot that Dmac had a natural Hat trick against one of the best Netminders of all time..

[@Jay-n262]

This kid has no idea what he he's talking about. McCarty was a beast on those 4 Stanley cup runs.

[@bobm.1274]

D Mac, GREAT point on Sam in the audio booth!

[@mikedehn8654]

Sam doesn't appreciate the dirty work. He's a stat chaser. Winning and championships are the only thing.

[@theskimaskboy]

DARREN MCCARTY IS RIGHT. YZERMAN/SHANAHAN IS THE DINNER. AND MCCARTY/DRAPER IS THE DESSERT. IF YOU WANT A GOOD MEAL, YOU NEED BOTH

[@Jon-xp9fx]

My dad was the biggest McCarty fan. He had his jersey and wore it with pride and never forgot about his hat tricks. If we didn’t have McCarty there were no Stanley Cups.

[@dereksnively7692]

McCarty was a huge part of those cups..loved watching him play..this Sam guy or whatever his name is needs a new job

[@lawrencedunham8565]

DMac you are spot on brother, the grind line made it possible for the stars Stevie Y.... Could do their job because you, Draper and Malts did the dirty nasty work, shutting down the other teams 1st and 2nd lines. Throwing Joey in from time to time to take care of the cheap shots. When anyone asks who my favorite Red Wing is I answer the Grind Line, D Mac, Draper and Maltsby were the glue that held everything together! The one line that went out night after night and did their job and a little bit more every shift! Just want to close this out with a thank you to all of the Red Wings past, present and future! Thank You!!!!!

[@jeffreyparker2783]

I'm a Michigan fan but I can also recognize that grind lines are important in every Stanley Cup run, no NHL team can roll out 4 first lines, and not all grind lines are created equal. DMac was instrumental in all 4 cup runs and a key contributor in several games.

[@VictorValiant24]

You, sir, win the comments.

[@markpost8630]

Still a team game with a combination of star players and role players, playing a complimentary team game towards winning championships

[@natteice2111]

Sam flannel tries so hard to be like skip Bayless it's disgusting. whenever he opens his mouth I mute the TV. it amazes me he gets paid to talk sports when he knows absolutely nothing. McCarty may not be a hall of famer but he elevated the team. he made a lot of money, and his career is immortalized in the state of Michigan forever

[@anthonyclark9441]

Wings do not win those Cups without D. Mac's presence, his actions and clutch Goals and any REAL WINGS FAN knows this to be true.

[@bobm.1274]

D Mac was the 1st jersey I ever purchased with my own money! Love Steve Y, Shanahan, Ozzy, and the bunch, but McCarty was my hero. I was at the hat trick game! I was over the moon!!!

[@Jimabair]

That was awesome!!!!

[@datcrazywhiteboy6205]

Sam needs to shut his mouth and know his role before D MAC slaps the lips off his face 🤣

[@fdtruckie9772]

D Mac had many great moments for the Wings. He gave guys like me who were not the fastest or the best puck handlers goals to achieve. I was the hard hitter, grind guy. He was one of my favorite players! D Mac has 4 cups! Point blank.

[@peterjoeparker]

Darren, don't let this wannabe get under your skin...I only played Junior hockey but hockey has been my life and I would kill to have lived through your Championships ...there are no Cup moments without Yzerman, Fedorov or Lidstrom but there are none without the grind line either...your line was instrumental in setting the tone throughout the games...Yzerman is my favorite player (I grew up playing against him when he was in Nepean Ontario) but I'd bet the Grind line would be the first names out of his mouth in describing the most important players on those teams...look back on those moments and be proud of your accomplishments...I'd give my left nut to have lived through your experiences.

[@derekweddle5667]

This is a horrible take by Sam. He should just keep his mouth shut. Darren is 💯 right. If it weren’t for the role players on all those teams, we probably don’t have 4 cups.

[@sammyweed4771]

If the Wings didn’t have the Grind Line they would not. I repeat would not of won the Stanley Cup !! In that era you needed a line like that to survive the playoffs and they scored important Goals. Thanks Mac your a HOF in my book !!

[@ttmazz1]

No he is not, but i agree w/ the rest indeed, every1 i luv or u luv cnt be put in the Hall now.

[@sammyweed4771]

@@ttmazz1 lol. My friend. I agree he doesn’t come close to being a HOFer I was just saying me being a HUGE Red Wing Fan he is in my book.

[@ttmazz1]

@@sammyweed4771 Oh yeah!

[@DJBANnumb3r1]

Imo I think the 2002 team could beat any team today tbh

[@basedmichigan]

Watch the 97 and 98 red wing championship documentaries and every big time goal was either Doug brown draper or macarty

[@billkeswick1098]

Love it. Was a fan of McCarty, Draper, Lapointe, Ward, and Osgood when they came through Glens Falls playing for Adirondack in the mid '90s. Too many of our players today do not want to do the grind line type work.

[@badm0t0rf1ng3r]

Here's the crazy part, Darren McCarty WAS a skilled player the first 5 or 6 years of his career. He's won a Cup as a skill player and a depth/role guy.

[@toddjohnson271]

Every player gets a ring.

[@someguy6212]

I know this segment was done in fun and to generate interest. But I think it is so disrespectful to DMac. He is a living legend! He was such an important part of the Wings dynasty. He will always be my favorite player from that era because he played with grit and heart...and skill!

[@jordanhoughton1948]

How many cups did the Wings win when DMac was with Calgary? I rest my case.

[@markgreen6578]

Darren Mccarty was like having Probert that could score goals and be smartish on the ice. Mccarty and the grind line was essential to winning 4 cups. The disrespect is wild.

[@VictorValiant24]

D-Mac is my all-time favorite hockey player. That being said, Probert was a much more talented offensive player than McCarty was. Probie was an all-star, had multiple 20 goal seasons, on a not-so-good Wings squad. McCarty never scored 20 in a season. His goals were timely, in big moments, but there weren't many of them. Like I said, he's my favorite, and he's a great guy, and he's a Detroit Red Wings LEGEND, but you're just wrong about the "Probert that could score goals" comment.

[@markgreen6578]

@@VictorValiant24 That's fair, I didn't mean to say he was a leet goal scorer. He was indeed very TIMELY so I guess that hat trick on Roy and Hextal getting turnt out in 97 are worth all the goals of Probert in my rose shaded eyes XD

[@VictorValiant24]

@@markgreen6578 Definitely. He's had some enormous goals in his career, and he could flash the offensive talent from time to time... I do think that he was capable of 20+ goals, but maybe the role didn't dictate it as much as Probert's role. Probie was playing with Yzerman a lot, so that helped his numbers for sure! I loved both as players, and was lucky enough to get to see both of them in their respective primes. Both guys are priceless when you're building a winning culture.

[@The_Frozen_1]

Sam needs to win a pro championship before he says anything about Darren McCarty and what's remembered about cups. I mean I know Sam is playing pro... oh wait! He isn't! Darren bagged the Game Winning goal in 1997. Darren should take a page from Patrick Roy (whom he scored a hat trick on in the 2002 Playoffs by the way) and say "I'm sorry I can't hear you. I have (FOUR) Stanley Cup Championship rings in my ears."

[@313bootboy6]

That dude has never been chin checked. Good lord.

[@bd3thoughtcriminal334]

This might be the greatest wws vid ever🥰😄😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤫

[@donaldforest1942]

Beside the grind line how many players can claim 4 Stanley cups or HOFers have their name 4 times on the cup theirs not too many.Also it always been a Team Sport everyone does their part in winning the cup, and Darrin mc knows that it's always been a Team effort together!!

[@paulmartin6209]

This is BOLD. I'm covinced at this point, that Sam is just saying radical opinions just to get points. okay bud.

[@tweekins]

My favorite memory of 08 was watching as McCarty got his shit together and worked his way back into a Red Wings uniform.

[@beecreekcommunications1119]

They STILL sell McCarty jerseys. There’s your answer.

[@daussamp8054]

No bigger in the moment soul than Darren

[@denverblair3977]

Shit red wings weren't shit without Osgood either a goalie is huge

[@daussamp8054]

Your top guys get u there. Your role guys win cups

[@sallybags9090]

In 2002 D-Mac destroyed Roy.

[@eroseninjiraiya9602]

Come on D mac was there so Stevie Y and Fedorov could be Stevie Y and Fedorov. You dont take cheap shots at guys when D macs on the bench.

[@klompsauce]

What was the difference between 2007 and 2008? DMac

[@theawayfan6052]

They brought the full mast passion back!

[@detroitjerm]

I dont even think flannel dude was old enough to watch the 97 wings

[@steveelliott8582]

Sam is a bit confused.. Guy recovering for a head injury? F that guy D Mac!

[@JoeSmith-ey2xp]

DMac might not be a hall of famer but the Red Wings should retire his number. He was the catalysis to get us over the hump by being the main player in the most important regular season game in the franchises history and he scored the winning goal to clinch 1st cup in 40+ years. What he did for this franchise will never be forgotten by anyone who lived through that era.

[@VictorValiant24]

Should retire the entire Grind Line. #25, #33, and #18 will never be duplicated OR forgotten in Hockeytown! #LGRW

[@McSomething15]

If he thinks that the Grind Line won't be one of the first things people mention when talking those Cup teams, he's fucking INSANE.

[@jppagetoo]

It's a team. You need leaders and followers. They must blend to make a greater whole. The Wings found that in players like Darren. He is not a hall of famer, but he has 4 Championships. He could walk in to any NHL locker room right now and he would command respect. Players know what he accomplished.

[@jonathongordon4814]

Getting harder and harder to watch. Just a terrible take. Turned it off after Sam tried his best Skip Bayless impression.

[@ericw3229]

A great winning team needs contributions top to bottom,. In the 50's Detroit had Howe of course Lindsay Abel Kelly and other greats but they had utility players who came up big for them. Johnny Wilson Marty Pavelich Tony Leswick Glen Skov Metro Prystai and others. McCarty was one of those guys in the Yzerman era and he shined in the playoffs.

[@mcqueenx75]

A lot of wrestlers from the 90s are still going strong. Jericho, Sting, juvie, Mysterio, hell even ric flair did another match (which won't be his last) but besides the point... Would Darren ever return to the ice like Gordie Howe did?

[@datcrazywhiteboy6205]

Give D MAC his flowers 🌹💐

[@allanstriber5272]

You know what Darren don't have to explain shit ok he and the wings are the best team ever in hokey