A short lived McCarty come back warms a Wings fan’s heart.
This is a great story; the goal scoring, fist-wielding hero once again puts on the jersey that made him a Detroit fan favorite team. Darren McCarty will return to the Red Wings for Friday night’s game against division foe St. Louis. The game should be a gem. St Louis has taken liberties at the Wings of late, and I expect McCarty to quickly drops the gloves and prove his worth to his teammates, and I would not be surprised if Aaron Downey follows suit.
A great game, and a great story, but one that a Red Wings fans should hope ends on April 6th when their top 12 forwards, including Holmstom and Flippula, are deemed healthy enough for the post-season. The lineup that has driven this team to the President’s Trophy and gives them the best shot at post-season success.
The reality is that McCarty has only five games to prove to Mike Babcock, a coach who preaches hard work, speed, and defense, that he is more deserving than players that have gutted it out all season. As much as the blue collar Detroit fan loves McCarty, they are remembering a McCarty from 1997. Darren however is 10 years older. This is not Steve Yzerman’s return from his knee surgery, nor Fedorov’s return after holding out most of the season, these type of players could play less than game conditioned based on their skill alone.
The Wings play a very fast tempo, puck possession, and defensively responsible game, and in the post season, fighting is very rare. Darren has not been an effective NHL player in over three years, and that was in a much slower era of hockey. Up to this Friday he has been completely out of hockey, and is coming off of broken ribs, not a the best injury to have for a grinder. Taking all that into account, and the fact that the Red Wings are playing only one more team this season with something to play for would be floored if he started a player who would just be getting acclimated into the teams system let alone getting into regular season form by the time the playoffs started.
His return Friday will juice Joe Louis Arena. I am willing to bet the game will sell more tickets and have fans actually in attendance than most of the games this month. Unfortunately for Darren the Red Wings are not St. Louis, they are not the Islanders, they are the Red Wings, a team with a real shot at playing well into April, and come playoff time, he won’t have a spot because of the name on his back or because some extra butts are in the seats. At the same time, fortunately for McCarty, the Detroit Red Wings are the Detroit Red Wings, and Kenny Holland and Illitch are class individuals that gave him a chance to return to a team in the midst of a Cup run. With the current list of injuries, unfortunately he might see time. At the very least, he will have a legitimate edge to take Aaron Downey’s spot next season, I hope.
I like McCarty, and I hope his found again sobriety and commitment to hockey keeps him in the NHL and on the right path for the rest of his life. I hope he once again returns as a Wings regular and contributes on a nightly basis, as a Wing’s fan, I just hope it’s not this season.
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3 months ago
I kind of see what you are saying here, but if he gets the job done in his brief audition than he's got to be considered for a post season roster spot! Also, McCarty's first game with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffens he found the back of the net not once, not twice, but three times!
3 months ago
i agree with vincent, and i'd have to say that the only reason really to sign mccarty is for the playoffs. if he doesn't make the squad for the long haul, it's really been a waste. i expect it to work but he's gotta prove himself the next 5 games he can still play. i like your article alot, it makes good points, however when you say "he's been out of hockey for 3 years", i think you mean the nhl. he has been playing for the griffin's this season. i think mccarty will give the wings a much needed physical spark. nice article, i look forward to reading more of yours.
3 months ago
oh and you spelled fedorov wrong!! geeeez. dude has been in the league 18 years, even espn can't spell his name right at times. it's not that hard.
3 months ago
For the record, my orginal submission had it spelled "Federov" must have been edited.
3 months ago
Which is wrong JC! Making it worse I have the guy's jersey!
3 months ago
that is a good article and all of the points are relative. mac was an essential part of the team 10 years ago and he did have a hat trick the night of his Griffin's debut but look at his last season in Calgary. id love to see him come back and clear house like he used, i still wear his jersey when i watch the games, but like you said you said, this isnt the same mccarty from 10 years ago. but who knows, maybe he'll be better than he was then. good article.
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