Darren McCarty Progress Thread

[Guest octopusdank]

go MAC!! we are all pulling for you, dont give up!!

[OsGOD 3]

from MLIVE

McCarty smiles his way through first practice as a Griffin--a bag skate

Posted by George James Malik February 05, 2008 10:38AM

Categories: Darren McCarty's come-back attempt, Griffins

Darren McCarty was all smiles despite the fact that his first practice with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins was a "bag skate":

February 5, Grand Rapids Press: Darren McCarty picked a tough day to join the Grand Rapids Griffins. McCarty officially signed with the team Monday and his first practice at Griff's IceHouse was a grueling 90-minute affair that left many players doubled over, gasping for air at the end of skating drills.

"I knew it was going to be a tough day. (Coach Mike Stothers) warned me about it, but I can't think of a better way to come in here," McCarty said with a laugh. "As much as it sucked, I enjoyed it."

McCarty figures that the occasional "bag skate" (think "motion discomfort bag") is just part of the process of reclaiming his hockey career and reorganizing his life, and after a solid performance in the IHL, he feels that he's ready to graduate to the next level of professional hockey:

"Hopefully I can come in here and bring some experience, do what I do and sort of get my feet back under me," McCarty said. "Get my game back to where I know I can be effective."

McCarty said the biggest challenge he still faces is getting back into game shape and bringing his speed back up to the NHL level.

"Obviously I'm not where I want to be, but I think being here, practicing, is a perfect fit for me," he said. "It's not the most glamorous or enjoyable part of the game, but being away from it for a year and missing it, the masochist in me will enjoy being around it and doing all the hard stuff."

McCarty told the Grand Rapids Press's Michael Zuidema that he wants to help the Red Wings out, and if that means being a good Griffin, it sounds like McCarty would understand if he spends the rest of the 07-08 season in the AHL:

"The way I went out in Calgary and really the last few years in Detroit, it really wasn't me, so hopefully I can bring something back that will help bring success to this organization," McCarty said. "I think there's still a little bit of gas in the tank and any way that I can help at any level is what I'm looking forward to doing."

Hey i know that writer of that column... we seem to have a mutal disliking for each other Rock on former The HTC!

Edited February 6, 2008 by OsGOD

[scotvm 0]

hey everybody, just thought id post this picture i took of McCarty back in 01 at a game in st. louis. My birthday present this year is tickets to the Feb 10th game against the ducks so hopefully ill get some more good pics this weekend. it will be my first game at the joe so im pretty pumped up !!!!!!

[auxlepli 17]

Cool photo. I'm not *** or anything, not that there's anything wrong with that, but Mac is a sexy beast in that photo. My fondest live memory of Mac was at a Predators game in Nashville during the warm-up. Metallica was playing and as Mac was waiting for a puck to shoot he was playing air guitar and nodding his head. That was cool.

Anyway have fun Sunday. Wish I could be at that game. I would totally be like Mac was to Lemiuex for anybody who dared show up in a Ducks jersey.

[ChelisChick 174]

I was at that game, and yeah. It was cool to watch!

Thanks for the pic! Auxlepli is right. He is a beast in that photo!

[uk_redwing 495]

At first I was skeptical of the Wings need for him on the line-up but my emotions are overcoming my logic and I say screw Downey and Bring back Mac

Why not have both?

[Crashnburnluder 385]

sooo... anybody seen any practice pictures of him yet.. haha I want to see him in that Griffins Jersey.... so it feels more of a reality that he is getting his life back on track.... and back in pro hockey... He may not see ice in a winged wheel... but im still so proud to be a McCarty fan with how much he is working to get his life back on track...

GO DMAC.... #25

[russianswede919293 95]

Why not have both?

Because there is no need to carry 2 enforcers on a team.

[96warrior 11]

http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/

McCarty on TV

For those of you with Comcast ... Comcast Local's monthly Grand Rapids Griffins game will be televised this Saturday (7:30 p.m. vs. Lake Erie Monsters). McCarty should be playing for the Griffins.

[Williams29fan 6]

Because there is no need to carry 2 enforcers on a team.

No, theres no need for 3. Send Drake down to the griffins. Drake has done nothing this year, he barely even hits.

At least Downie acts like an inforcer. Downie hits, fights, and stands up for other teammates.

Edited February 7, 2008 by Williams29fan

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

nm

Edited February 7, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

No, theres no need for 3. Send Drake down to the griffins. Drake has done nothing this year, he barely even hits.

At least Downie acts like an inforcer. Downie hits, fights, and stands up for other teammates.

While I don't agree that Mac is the answer just yet, I agree in regards to Drake. I don't feel he brings anything to the team that sets him apart. Regardless of Mac, I would like to see Downie and an enforcer that can bring a little more to the table if the Wings tango with the Ducks in the playoffs again.

[Turkey 0]

For the love of God can we try and spell Downey's name correctly? Downie is a psychopath who plays for Philly.

Every time I see that name written as though Downie played for the Wings, my brain does a little convulsion of horror.

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

yeah i hate it when Downie is used. Downie is not right. stop putting Downie . thats not how you spell Downie . so don't use Downie anymore ok? Downie is on the flyers. Downie doesn't play for the wings. so stop putting Downie OK? hahahahahahah sorry.

[Grittzkey 1]

Because there is no need to carry 2 enforcers on a team.

Good thing neither Mac or Downey are enforcers.

Be seriously, Why isnt there a point in having 2 so called "enforcers"

[CUJO#31 0]

Mac gave a great interview today on AM 1340 Sports Talk in G.R. today. Any chance there might be a link to that somewhere????

[JackMallory 0]

Red Wings Live tonight had a nice interview with Mac at the Griffins practice.

[kylee 727]

its a win win with mccarty if he gets things together.

more toughness on the team. hopefully the Wings can add a scorer at the deadline.

the only real question on who goes down if Mac comes up, but although i do like him, itd most likely be sirDrake.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

its a win win with mccarty if he gets things together.

more toughness on the team. hopefully the Wings can add a scorer at the deadline.

the only real question on who goes down if Mac comes up, but although i do like him, itd most likely be sirDrake.

It'll definitely be Downey because there's no way in hell the Wings will have 2 enforcers playing one the 4th line together.

[Grittzkey 1]

WHY NOT?

[Lidsyukerberg 0]

Red Wings Live tonight had a nice interview with Mac at the Griffins practice.

I think the fact that this is actually getting some air time now is a good sign.

[russianswede919293 95]

WHY NOT?

Simply because look at Downey's ice time. Guys who are enforcers and dont play special teams get very little ice time, and in the bump and grind of playoff hockey everyone tires out and you NEED to run 4 lines every game to not wear the team down. Drake plays the PK, Downey and McCarty don't. its as simple as that. Thus there is no need for both Downey and McCarty where as Drake has an extra assest that they do not. Don't get me wrong I love all three but given my choice of 2 out of 3 it is Drake and McCarty (if he gets up to speed).

[russianswede919293 95]

It'll definitely be Downey because there's no way in hell the Wings will have 2 enforcers playing one the 4th line together.

[Lidstromrules16 7]

Honestly, if he does make it back to the Wings, he should definently play with Drapes and Malts. Seeing the Grindline back together would be amazing, for nostalgia atleast

But I like Downey more than Drake, the guy seems like he is just happy to be playing for the Wings. Downey is more willing than Drake to stand up for our guys, atleast by what it looks like, and I think that is why Downey is more valuable to the Wings, he recognizes his role, and is actually proud to do his job. Any team could use a guy like that. Although if Mac really got into his pre Flames shape, and push came to shove, I would rather him over both Downey and Drake.

[Lidsyukerberg 0]

Regarding the Drake vs. Downey issue. The other night when we were playing the Wild, it was turning pretty physical, even Hank was getting into it and getting face washed and stuff. But no one stepped up to put a stop to it. At some point in the third period there was a play and Ken announced that Drake had the puck. I thought to myself, "Holy crap! Drake is playing tonight?" I didn't even know.

On the other hand, you can't NOT know when Downey is on the ice. I haven't seen a game he was in yet, where I was left wondering if he was playing.

Everybody talks about how much Drake does for the team, but I can't help but ask "how do you get through 2/3 of a game without having your name mentioned?" That has got to be some pretty lackluster play if you ask me. I'm not saying that he wasn't mentioned at all, just not in any meaningful way that was even noticeable. Downey hits the ice and stirs up a stink that reaches Ken and Mickey, they can't help but mention what he's doing for the game.

I would say that my opinion is biased, except for the fact that it is biased because of how they are playing. To be honest I am not sentimental about either, and my opinion is based solely on what I see, but what I am seeing is starting to get me sentimental about Downey. Sure he may not be the toughest guy in the league, but he sure knows how to get under the skin of the other team and take them off their game. And I haven't seen him back down from a good scrap yet.