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Goodbye Grand Rapids: Mac Says He’s Ready

Darren McCarty’s played, what he hopes, will be his final home game as a Grand Rapids Griffin.  He notched an assist last night in their 5-3 victory, giving him ten points in 13 games.  Now? He says he’s ready to hit Hockeytown.

Grand Rapids Press

“The last few games, things are coming together. Hockey-wise, everything is getting there,” McCarty said. “I think I’m ready to make that next step.”

Kudos (I would say “high marks”, but I’m not Canadian(en), so I’m not allowed) to Michael Zuidema of the GR Press for his coverage of McCarty’s comeback bid, and the Griffs in general.  His articles should be mandatory reading for the Diggers, as he’s done a good job balancing the big story (McCarty) with the daily grind of pumping out daily stories as a beat writer.

McCarty still has two more road games left this weekend before reporting to the Wings on Monday.

Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
 Tags: McCarty,

Comments

     

Avatar

One thing that the Return of Mighty Mac has done is light a fire under Drake. He’s played the last few games as if his job depends on it…and it most certainly does. If Mac can still skate, he brings a lot more to the Wings than Drake does, including some “Fire on Ice” and a lot more butts in the seats.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 03/06/08 at 10:27 AM ET

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He’s played the last few games as if his job depends on it…and it most certainly does

I disagree. While his fourth-line spot may be better suited for Mac, The Drake plays the PK an awful lot. Mac won’t, IMO. That’s where The Drake has the edge. Anyways, it looks like Kopy may be the odd man out.

Posted by GoCryWolfe on 03/06/08 at 11:07 AM ET

Primis's avatar

I’m fine if Kopecky is odd-man out.  The kid still doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere well, and isn’t a reliable enough presence on the ice.  How much more time does he need to develop anyways?  He’s gotten a lot more than guys like Meech or Ericsson, and yet they seemed to have adpated a lot easier.  Tomas does’t seem to have adapted to the NHL ever…

I’m not a huge Drake fan but… come on, imagine it, a 4th line with Drake, Mac, and Downey.  It’d be fun.  And yes, Drake could play C.  IIRC he came into the league as a C.

Posted by Primis on 03/06/08 at 11:46 AM ET

Hippy Dave's avatar

Anyone know how hurt Kopy was last game?  Maybe we’ll see Mac on Sunday…

Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 03/06/08 at 12:14 PM ET

millsz's avatar

Seeing Mac on Sunday would be great!  My son is actually playing at JLA before the Wings game.  Would love to hear crowds reaction the first time he hits the ice!

Posted by millsz from Brownstown, MI on 03/06/08 at 12:54 PM ET

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Drake Mac Downey would be the punishment line reserved for 3 teams.
1. Calgary
2. Dive
3. Quacks

Posted by solo16 on 03/06/08 at 02:40 PM ET

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if they’re intent on bringing in McCarty, why not sit Hudler.  it’s fairly obvious that he’s not in Babcock’s playoff plans.  plus Kopecky is 6’3” and does crash the boards pretty well.  i like him crashing on Datsyuk’s line.  although Cleary’s coming back too…forgot Mr. Buckets.  decisions decisions…

Posted by Alex from San Francisco on 03/06/08 at 02:40 PM ET

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Oddly enough id consider them our 3 key rivals atm. Sorry dallas you are just too sissy to be rival. Same applies to SJ.

Posted by solo16 on 03/06/08 at 02:41 PM ET

Jeff  OKWingnut's avatar

Current Forwards and Centers on the Wings Roster:

Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Filppula
Samuelsson, Zetterberg, Franzen
Downey, Draper, Drake
Maltby, Kopecky, Hudler

Cleary,
Hartigan,

I am unsure of how many roster spots a team gets for the playoffs.

It seems to me Hartigan would be the “odd man out”.  But according to MacLeod, onhis February 29th post, at Red Wings Corner; Hartigan is not on the Griffins post-season roster—implying he is with the Big Boys for the duration.

Primis, I’d love to see Mac/Drake/Downey on a line together—but man; where is the speed??

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 03/06/08 at 03:03 PM ET

HockeyTownTodd's avatar

Mac-Drake-Downey line makes no sense to me.
You need one policeman on every line possible.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 03/06/08 at 05:10 PM ET

Jeff  OKWingnut's avatar

Todd: 

Hanson Brothers cheese

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 03/06/08 at 05:15 PM ET

HockeyTownTodd's avatar

Kinda living in the past aren’t you Jeff.  Maybe you could forward the pictures of the Hanson Brothers the night they won the Stanley Cup.
Blazing Saddles was a good movie also.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 03/06/08 at 07:36 PM ET

Jeff  OKWingnut's avatar

Todd:  I’m not implying it is a good idea—just that it would be great fun to see.  Maybe for just a couple of shifts in a game that is outta hand—You know like the recent game against the Blue Notes.

Its a good marketing idea too—put horn rim glasses (with tape) on Mac, Downey and Drake—give them wooden sticks too!!!!

Too much Fun!  And wouldn’t it be priceless to have a camera shot of the opposing bench when those three (through in Lilja and Rafalski too!) go over the board!!

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 03/07/08 at 08:11 AM ET

Avatar

D-Mac, Drake, and Downey, with Lilja and Stuart on defense and the Czech Sociopath in goal.

Who sez the Wings aren’t tough?

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from The Brute Squad on 03/07/08 at 09:11 AM ET

     

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