Would he even break our line up?? For him to be of any real value, he’ll have to suit up and play on a line with Downey. No chance. Not unless he brings it like Cleary and even then…

This cannot possibly be serious…

Posted by srt on 01/04/08 at 06:16 PM ET

I can see him getting a spot on the Griffins, who seem to need any help they can get this season, but there’s very little chance he makes the Wings, in any case. And I’m not sure I want him to, even given the effect he’d have on attendance.

Of course, that is more due to my nervousness about the team fixing what’s not broken and altering team chemistry than my feelings about Mac’s effectiveness. Though I have doubts about what he can bring these days, too.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 01/04/08 at 06:25 PM ET

This is too unbelievable.  What the heck are the youngsters in GR going to be thinking now?  Here’s what I think:  “Oh crap.  There’s goes my roster spot on the big club.  I’m busting my ass every damn day to get a shot and they bring him back?”

Why not bring Shanahan and Fedorov back and regress our youth movement once again?  How ‘bout that?  Sounds like a good idea to me…(end sarcasm)

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 01/04/08 at 06:25 PM ET

Sounds like wishful thinking on Cheli’s part or something…

Posted by mudshark from denver, CO on 01/04/08 at 06:27 PM ET

Ditto SRT - - I think?

Every Wings fan has lots of love for Darren; for a couple of reasons. 

1.  Darren’s ass-kicking enforcer duties.  If anyone took liberties with his teammates; well Darren made sure they paid a price.  Most especially against the ‘Dive and in particular, one “turtle” Lemioux:  http://youtube.com/watch?v=c0dr_H6gY2Q

2.  Darren also, on occassion showed that he indeed could skate and score.  1997 SCF, game 4 clincher (on home ice): http://youtube.com/watch?v=o93Hxjt-fcA

And lets not forget, at least for the moment, that the one of the areas of some concern for the Organ-I-Zation is team toughness.

Too, Illitch has shown to be an extraordinarily loyal man.  Darren has lots of friends still on the team—his “Grind-Mates” Draper and Maltby.

I don’t know how well he can skate today.  But if he can, I can see the Wings giving him a chance to play.  Everyone loves him, and no-one ever questioned his heart and determination. 

Remember too, the Wings have shown a definite skill at “reclamation” projects.  If Darren ever skates in the NHL again; my money says it will be for the Wings. (speaking of money, I have no clue about how much they would have to pay him.  isn’t he still under contract with the Flame??).

I pray all the best for him, I know he always gave the Wings everything he had.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 01/04/08 at 06:46 PM ET

I don’t know…even if it is true, I don’t worry much about him wearing the wheel again. That said, if he can bring a good game back to the Griffins, it would be nice to have him still be part of the organization. I think his past contributions earn him a shot at that.

Or maybe I’m just a sentimental bastard.

Posted by Matt from Tennessee on 01/04/08 at 06:48 PM ET

Well, he’d have to outplay Hartigan to make it up as a call-up who seems to be the Wings 15th forward at this point.

I can see him being interchangeable with a guy like Drake provided he shows he can play.

Downey is slightly different considering he’s more of a heavyweight than McCarty or Drake and has a different role than what they have (would have).

Personally, if he shows he can play and do what Drake does, I’d rather have him than Dallas.

Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 01/04/08 at 07:28 PM ET

McCarty hasn’t even been cleared to play in Flint yet.  it seems unlikely it’d be any easier to get cleared in Grand Rapids.  i agree with Bill: til Kenny says something, it’s hot air.

Posted by Alex from San Francisco on 01/04/08 at 07:28 PM ET

The Wings are headed to another presidents cup, but if you want the real thing, the Stanley Cup, you need to get tougher or its another loss to the Ducks or someone tougher.  Bring him back for the playoffs, even part time could make a difference if he’s healthy.  Would love to see him as an assistant coach someday.

Posted by blackaceshockey.com from Detroit on 01/04/08 at 09:20 PM ET

First of all, Mac will be better suited to the enforcer role if he still can skate at the NHL level more so than Downey. Take no offense, but downey is here because he has a huge heart, not because he can skate. Drake is a defensive forward and is on PK. I don’t see Mac doing any Pk. So if he makes it back here it will be to replace Downey not Drake.

Posted by Nass1957 from Redford on 01/04/08 at 11:36 PM ET

I’d love to see Mac work hard in Flint, show he can skate and drop the gloves too. Then, when the Wings raid the Griffs roster for playoff depth, I think a try-out contract would be appropriate. If he shows he can bring experience and playoff intensity to the Griffs in their late season (will they even make the playoffs?) maybe then he earns a try-out spot for the Wings next season. Will Downey and Drake be back then? Who knows. I think if Mac works his tail off he can be a 5-10 minute/every other game/heart/soul kind of guy for the Wings. In 08-09. Long road though.

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL on 01/05/08 at 12:27 AM ET

I don’t get it… what’s the downside here?  Is there some cadre of promising forwards in GR the Wings risk spoiling if they bring McCarty in for a month?  I must have missed hearing about those guys

Yeah, Chelios could possibly be blowing (or inhaling) smoke… but thinking Chelios was just a windbag didn’t exactly work out too well for ol’ Mr. Saskin, eh?  I prefer to take the approach that until Holland explicitly shoots it down it’s still eminently possible.

And let’s be very clear… it should be possible.  On a team that’s always been short a puncher with fire, Wings fans are now going to start flaking out over the possibility of having two somewhere in their system?  Or, even more to the point, McCarty couldn’t bring to the table what Downey is right now?  4-plus minutes a night shouldn’t be beyond Mac, I wouldn’t think.

Desperation.  On a team calmly on it’s way to eviscerating the whole of the NHL having a couple guys on the roster desperate to get there and stay there can’t possibly be a bad thing.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 01/05/08 at 05:15 AM ET

It sounds a little more like speculation than an actual plan that has already been thought out.  Within the realm of the possible, but not probable.  Getting the cart before the horse - let him play a few games to see if he has anything left first.  I agree with Pete in that it would probably not be a short road back if he chooses that direction.

(And thanks for all the birthday good wishes from the nicest people on the internet.  I haven’t checked back on the poll results to see if I’m banned yet - but I would just change my screen name and come back, anyway.  The folks here are awesome.) 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/05/08 at 07:44 AM ET

I haven’t checked back on the poll results to see if I’m banned yet - but I would just change my screen name and come back, anyway.

Oh, like we wouldn’t know that someone speaking rationally and promoting good will wasn’t you. 

Personally, I changed my mind about banning you and voted to up our level of “juvenility” to conteract your sevility. But I’m not sure any of us can act juvenile enough to offset all of the common sense, respect and smart commentary that you bring to the fray. Time will tell.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 01/05/08 at 10:57 AM ET

Desperation.  On a team calmly on it’s way to eviscerating the whole of the NHL having a couple guys on the roster desperate to get there and stay there can’t possibly be a bad thing.

I agree with you “HD,” if that is your real name, on this point but not others. I don’t think it should be possible for Mac to come back and take Downey’s spot. Like Matt, I’m afraid of adding a piece to a puzzle that already seems complete. And there is no way he can take Drake’s spot, especially not on the penalty kill. Mac would have to prove that he is worth more than Downey or Drake and that doesn’t seem possible in my mind.

One huge thing is skating. Maltby lost a bit of his effectiveness during even strength play because he lost a step. Draper keeps going because he trains like a horse and was already a skilled skater to begin with. I can’t see Mac keeping up with a post-lockout NHL generally, or the Wings’ game speed specifically.

Like all, I wish the best for him but a spot on the Wings is not a gamble I’m willing to make. He would also have to do so at the league minimum salary and I’m sure other teams are willing to pay more.

Posted by srt on 01/05/08 at 11:55 AM ET

I’d be more than happy to see Mac on the Wings roster.  Why?  Because IF it were to happen, it’s because the organ-i-zation feels he can play at the Wings level.  Say what you want, but he knows how to play at their level.  He knows what it takes to win in the playoffs.  He knows how to ‘step it up’.  The ONLY question should be… is he capable?  Only Mac can answer that for himself. Time will tell.

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 01/05/08 at 03:19 PM ET

I’d rather have dallas drake than downey.  We got drake more for his mentoring abilities on kopecky.  We want kopecky to have the same style of play as drake so i’d like to keep him in the line up.  Maybe D-Mac and Downey can have a best of seven fight off…whoever wins gets the spot on the roster:P

Posted by alex from guelph on 01/05/08 at 05:57 PM ET

BRING MAC BACK!

While I agree Mac needs to overcome his personal issues and get in much better shape, and could only fill a much smaller role on the team than before, his value on the Wings is a little more than just what he can do with his fists or his stick:  It’s his ability to get butts in the seats at the Joe.  Bringing back a fan favorite might be a perfect arrow in the organ-i-zation’s quiver for getting ticket sales back up.

Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 01/05/08 at 06:37 PM ET

I love Mac, but i think he may be done, people.

It was great seeing OklahomaWingNut’s clips, but that was a DECADE ago.

If Kenny were to bring him back, it would be for pr and that would suck.

Don’t mess with a team that just set a franchise record in wins.

Posted by Cowboycoffee from San Francisco on 01/06/08 at 02:28 AM ET