Mac is back - but where does he go?
The news has filtered through that Darren McCarty finally did what was widely expected and signed a two-way contract with Detroit. Here’s Ansar Khan’s take:
Because he’s not making more than $100,000 in the minors, McCarty would be exempt from re-entry waivers should he be assigned to Grand Rapids (after clearing waivers) and then get recalled.
This is noteworthy because it enhances his chances of being recalled during the season. Had he been subject to re-entry waivers, the Wings would have been liable for half of his NHL salary if another team claimed him. And with salary cap space being so tight, they probably wouldn’t have risked making that move.
This is yet another solid move by Ken Holland. It’s a minor detail but an important one, as it likely suggests both Downey and Mac will be waived and sent to Grand Rapids at the start of the season when everyone is happy with their rosters as their records will be 0-0-0. Then if/when either player needs to be called up there won’t be a chance for another team to claim them.
Brian Burke? Yeah, he’s a big enough jag to try and claim both players as he apparently loves him some former Red Wings players. A little over a year ago he signed Mathieu Schneider and Todd Bertuzzi when they became free agents. Bert obviously had a history with Burke that dated back to their days in Vancouver but it’s kind of funny to see how Burke’s signings of both players have blown up in his face. Burkie bought out Todd Betuzzi [who was supposed to replace Teeme Selanne’s production] and he just waived Mathieu Schneider and his $5.65 million salary to get beneath the cap far enough so that he can sign Teemu Selanne to a new contract. No one claimed Schneider so he’s still on Anaheim’s payroll.
So the Red Wings wouldn’t have to worry about Burke anyway because he’s in cap hell. Plus neither player is a key player in Detroit’s forwards corps that would be coveted by the Ducks GM. But they do play the style of game Burke likes - they are physical forwards who provide little to no offense. If they clear waivers on the way down there’s a good chance they’ll stay in Detroit once they are called up.
With this out of the way training camp is set to start with a few forwards fighting it out for the 13th forward spot and nine defensemen battling it out for one of the top six spots.
So that means hockey is right around the corner!
Aaron Downey Darren McCarty Red WingsNo Comments
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