I’ll be the first to admit I’m shocked. I didn’t think the man stood a chance getting back to Detroit, and barely thought he had a shot playing five per night for a team like Florida or L.A.

He looked solid in that highlight pack (though I’d like to see a full game to see what he’s doing away from the puck—backchecking, positioning, etc.). Again, hard to tell from that clip, but it looks like he’s getting some speed back, though I’d imagine he’s still got some more conditioning to do. If he can get back to the speed he had six or seven years ago, he’s an instant upgrade over Downey. Downey’s been good for this team, but Mac in that shape would be better.

Anyways, I didn’t think this was possible, so I give Mac big credit. It looks like he’s at least on his way to the NHL, whether it’s with the Wings or not. I hope for his sake he stays healthy and keeps progressing in the right direction. If so, I was wrong, he’d definately be a great addition to the team for the playoffs against teams like the Ducks, Calgary, and San Jose.

Posted by Nathan on 02/18/08 at 12:34 PM ET

Given all the factors, especially considering he’s still in early season form, I think his play so far has been solid.  I watched his first couple of games and noticed that even though the wheels aren’t there yet, he wasn’t a step behind the play.  He was responsible defensively, which is what I want to see. 

But anyone looking to him to solve the current offensive problems, or even provide any significant offensive contribution, needs to rethink that. A hat trick is great, but what’s more important is for him to prove that he can add muscle without being a defensive liability - both in speed and skill.  If he can do that, I think he’s putting in 8-10 minutes for the Wings by this time next month.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 02/18/08 at 12:54 PM ET

I too am shocked.  Happy for him, but shocked.

Somehow I have a hard time seeing him in the NHL again, although I don’t know why.  Someone is going to give Forsberg and his tissue paper ankle crazy money, and he might as well be the yeti as much as he has actually been seen.  McCarty is at least playing on this continent where people can get a look at him.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 02/18/08 at 01:14 PM ET

I couldn’t believe it when I heard he got a hat trick, I saw him in Flint and there was no way in Hell he was close to getting a hat trick down there, he looked like a 90 % different player in those clips.  Imagine if he had 20,000 strong behind him at the Joe, maybe where his conditioning and skills drop off his adrenalin carries him.

I really like the idea of a fourth line Downy / Kopecky / McCarty.

Posted by Jdunc from Flint, MI on 02/18/08 at 01:33 PM ET

With all the baggage he has been carrying around, all the legal and money issue surrounding him, all the back injuries… How can you not cheer for him.  He was a icon with the Wings, suffered with the Flames and now on the trail of a comeback, well, I one would love to see him back in Detroit, a long shot but never the less a real true life hero story…

Posted by Tony from Mid-Michigan on 02/18/08 at 01:46 PM ET

BRING MAC BACK!

Posted by Hippy Dave on 02/18/08 at 02:34 PM ET

Jesus, I’ve been banging the drum for D-Mac since last year.  Somebody upstairs must like me, or more to the point, like him.

Can you imagine what a healthy McCarty playing five to ten minutes a night would mean for Corey Perry in the playoffs?  At the very least, Jdunc’s fourth line of Downey-Kopecky-McCarty would shut up the MSM and their broken record of them saying ‘toughness.’ Just seeing him get his life back on track is reason enough to celebrate, but if he wears red and white for us this spring...No goals needed, just grit and the biggest heart we’ve seen in a Wing this side of the Captain.

To rehash an old playoff push: Believe.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from the temple of The Fist of Karma on 02/18/08 at 02:34 PM ET

We were at the MIL @ GR game on Saturday—the game after his hat trick.

The Griffins were TERRIBLE, but Mac looked decent.  He looked very solid defensively—probably the best defensive forward the Griffins iced that night (only Hartigan played a better game IMHO).  Not quote as abrasive and aggressive as he used to be still, but getting there.  And the fight he got into showed he’s still a force in that area.

The hands are still there though definitely, the reflexes and mind are still there.  The conditioning still isn’t quite.  Though it’s hard to knock the guy when the Griffs had him on the top line and also had him playing on both the PP and PK.  Testament to the faith they have in him at least.

I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it, but he has a good shot of rejoining the NHL at this rate.

Posted by Primis on 02/18/08 at 02:39 PM ET