krsmith17 7,191 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Mike McKee was drafted in the 5th round in 2012 as a hulking defenseman, he is now listed at 6'5", 245 lbs. and it appears that Western Michigan University has been trying him as a forward. I've been hoping for him to be converted to forward since he was drafted. I believe this bodes well for McKee, as it should improve his chances in making it to the bigs. He should have a much better chance in making the NHL as a 4th line grinder than as a bottom pair defenseman. I don't know much about McKee other than what I've read but I've heard he is a decent skater with a booming shot and anyone that knows anything about this guy, knows he can fight. He could be exactly what this team has been lacking since the Kocur / McCarty days. Anyone think it is possible he could make this team as a role player / 4th line grinder in the next few years? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PumpkinEscobar 136 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Gonna be awhile if at all...still wish he'd had played junior Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Gonna be awhile if at all...still wish he'd had played junior Nah then he would have been fighting ALL THE TIME. College let's him focus on his other skills more. Everyone knows he can fight just fine. 1 The Greek reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Can't wait till this gem is with the big club, especially in blow out games, only 3 minutes left ? Send out your fourth line led by McKee and show some heart, other teams won't like it I'd love it :-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 If he made it to the NHL I believe the heavyweight belt would be back where a the JLA where it belongs. If he is a decent skater to boot then I'm sold. Babs and Holland love skaters, regardless whether they can score or not so he should be fine. Future champ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogreslayer 1,069 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 Hope he can develop some skill at forward & make the big club in that role instead of as a d-man based on the comments heard about Babcock not wanting d-men to fight, leaving the team down a man on the blue line. Plus how great would it be to have him screening goalies on a nightly basis? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted January 10, 2014 If he made it to the NHL I believe the heavyweight belt would be back where a the JLA where it belongs. If he is a decent skater to boot then I'm sold. Babs and Holland love skaters, regardless whether they can score or not so he should be fine. Future champ. If he made it to the NHL I believe the heavyweight belt would be back where a the JLA where it belongs. If he is a decent skater to boot then I'm sold. Babs and Holland love skaters, regardless whether they can score or not so he should be fine. Future champ. Cant say I disagree. Hes got size that most NHL heabyweights nowadays dont. Realistically, how many players in the NHL are even his size? The crazy thing is that hes supposedly a fitness freak and his weight is muscle, not Byfuglien weight. Im glad he went to college so he can develop some skill, his mean streak is always going to be there and hes had plenty experience fighting. He needs to work on his puck skill and skating 1 ben_usmc reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,457 Report post Posted January 11, 2014 I'll be amazed if this guy ever plays a single game in the NHL. The only positives I've seen attributed to this guy are his size and fighting ability, neither of which are in high demand from our management. I think he gets lost along the way unless he finds another element to his game. 1 wingedominance13 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted January 11, 2014 I'll be amazed if this guy ever plays a single game in the NHL. The only positives I've seen attributed to this guy are his size and fighting ability, neither of which are in high demand from our management. I think he gets lost along the way unless he finds another element to his game. Hes fast as well. Apparently not even jst fast for his size but in general can fly in and forecheck hard. That alone keeps me interested. Yeah if he was his size and slow as molasses I wuoldnt have any hope but being able to use him as a 13th forward to go crush dmen for 7 mins a game would be pretty awesome to watch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 4,914 Report post Posted January 13, 2014 he better develop some skills, because as long as Babcock is our coach, this type of player will never be on our team...unfortunately...I for one am rooting for Big Mike to make it to GR after college, then be up within 3 years of that in Detroit... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted January 13, 2014 he better develop some skills, because as long as Babcock is our coach, this type of player will never be on our team...unfortunately...I for one am rooting for Big Mike to make it to GR after college, then be up within 3 years of that in Detroit... pretty sure I read an article where Babcock was praising him. 1 wingedominance13 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,457 Report post Posted January 13, 2014 pretty sure I read an article where Babcock was praising him. Babcock praises a lot of guys that he has no intention of playing. He's got nothing but compliments for guys like Jordin Tootoo. 1 sputman reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted January 13, 2014 The funny part is, when guys like Holland are saying...ya well developing size and toughness takes time to develop on the other hand Burke, Bergevin are going outthere and fix something like this in weeks / months. I personally can't wait to see this monster with the big club, he will bring some serious needed entertainment factor to this team and will keep guys like Neil, Cowen, Getzlaf and even Kassasian honest. the top belt needs to come back, where it belongs the days of Probi, Kocur and DMac have been gone for far too long, revival team. McKee + Bordelau on the fourth line and the softish Wingsfeeling will be gone do it Holland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stillwater 186 Report post Posted January 13, 2014 If ultimately the guy can play on the 3rd or 4th line, and produce with something other than his fists, then I'd welcome him with open arms. If he's a cement head who can only fight, like Colton Orr, or a zillion others of that particular ilk ... I don't care if he's the toughest hombre in the history of the NHL. I don't want him on my team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935 Report post Posted January 13, 2014 The funny part is, when guys like Holland are saying...ya well developing size and toughness takes time to develop on the other hand Burke, Bergevin are going outthere and fix something like this in weeks / months. I personally can't wait to see this monster with the big club, he will bring some serious needed entertainment factor to this team and will keep guys like Neil, Cowen, Getzlaf and even Kassasian honest. Yeah, if only we had Burke as our Gm!??? Really? He goes "out there and fix something like this in weeks / months?" You must have missed some of his earlier resume. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted January 13, 2014 Yeah, if only we had Burke as our Gm!??? Really? He goes "out there and fix something like this in weeks / months?" You must have missed some of his earlier resume. Did I say I want him as the GM ? ******* no, but the truth of the matter is making a team tougher to play against, doesn't take "years of development" it can be done much faster. Flames gone out and got Westgarth now they have a one two punch on the fourth line, are you telling me Holland isn't able to find a cheap (6 round + player) that could something more than our current fourth line currently provides? I don't think so, if Bergevin and Burke can find these guys Hollabnd should be able to pull something so simple off too. Truth is nobody other than the scout stuff really knows, how far awaay McKee is, so waiting for him to develop and not doing anything doesn't help in such an easy to fix team weakness. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted January 13, 2014 The funny part is, when guys like Holland are saying...ya well developing size and toughness takes time to develop on the other hand Burke, Bergevin are going outthere and fix something like this in weeks / months. I personally can't wait to see this monster with the big club, he will bring some serious needed entertainment factor to this team and will keep guys like Neil, Cowen, Getzlaf and even Kassasian honest. the top belt needs to come back, where it belongs the days of Probi, Kocur and DMac have been gone for far too long, revival team. McKee + Bordelau on the fourth line and the softish Wingsfeeling will be gone do it Holland Developing size and toughness does take time. Burke doesn't develop anything. He overpays for "grit and truculence" and depletes roster depth. What exactly has Bergevin done?? Acquired an injury-prone Parros who's played 10 games and has had his worst season to date? Can't always look for the quick fix. If it was that simple everyone would do it. Looking forward to some of these gritty prospects we have coming up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935 Report post Posted January 14, 2014 Did I say I want him as the GM ?f****** no, but the truth of the matter is making a team tougher to play against, doesn't take "years of development" it can be done much faster. Flames gone out and got Westgarth now they have a one two punch on the fourth line, are you telling me Holland isn't able to find a cheap (6 round + player) that could something more than our current fourth line currently provides? I don't think so, if Bergevin and Burke can find these guys Hollabnd should be able to pull something so simple off too. Truth is nobody other than the scout stuff really knows, how far awaay McKee is, so waiting for him to develop and not doing anything doesn't help in such an easy to fix team weakness. Yes, but you claimed a preference for the way the Burke does things. It's not really that different. The flames have lost 8 of the last 10 so they should probably worrying about other things than a couple of tough guys. Holland is not going to get those kinds of guys not because he can't pull it off - it's just not how he builds a team; he has shown it's not a priority for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted January 14, 2014 Yes, but you claimed a preference for the way the Burke does things. It's not really that different. The flames have lost 8 of the last 10 so they should probably worrying about other things than a couple of tough guys. Holland is not going to get those kinds of guys not because he can't pull it off - it's just not how he builds a team; he has shown it's not a priority for him. See we are talking about fourth line players here, so it really isn't that big of a deal and guess what I would move heaven and earth just to change our fourth line to theirs, at the Flames fourth line is entertaining ours is well....******* disgusting they don't provide skill, they aren't a shutdown line so I don#t know what their job really is.. The Flames were supposed to be bad and they will be for a few more years, so I'm not surprised. When people are talking about Bergevin they only mention Parros but how about Brandon Prust ? the guy is making 2,5 m and is and unreal hard and soul player, Parros has a horrible season yes but nobody could know that would happen, btw. he won his first fight against Orr so he is still a tough hombre. If McKee doesn't get a chance then I'm really starting to questioning wheter this management has a plan for the fourth line, I HIGHLY doubt there will be anyone like him in a few years. If he could become some sort of younger, bigger Shawn Thornton I'd be incredible happy with that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted January 14, 2014 I believe it's more effective to fill the 4th line with guys who can skate, kill penalties and be defensively responsible. (Miller, Glendening, Sheahan, Andersson) Load the top 3 lines with offensive and 2-way players. Save their energy for even strength and PP. 1 dirtydangles reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bIueadams 776 Report post Posted April 25, 2022 McKee just scored a career high points and played a career high AHL games. Time to finally sign him? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akakabuto 1,741 Report post Posted April 25, 2022 56 minutes ago, bIueadams said: McKee just scored a career high points and played a career high AHL games. Time to finally sign him? On 1/14/2014 at 1:38 AM, frankgrimes said: If McKee doesn't get a chance then I'm really starting to questioning wheter this management has a plan for the fourth line Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 4,914 Report post Posted April 29, 2022 On 4/25/2022 at 10:03 AM, bIueadams said: McKee just scored a career high points and played a career high AHL games. Time to finally sign him? 1 point in 9 games? I think you are looking at his ECHL stats: 26pts in 59 games for the Tulsa Oilers. either way, do the Wings even own his rights any longer? it was 10 years ago they drafted him... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bIueadams 776 Report post Posted April 29, 2022 20 minutes ago, LeftWinger said: 1 point in 9 games? Career high AHL games! 21 minutes ago, LeftWinger said: I think you are looking at his ECHL stats: 26pts in 59 games for the Tulsa Oilers. Career high ECHL points! 21 minutes ago, LeftWinger said: either way, do the Wings even own his rights any longer? it was 10 years ago they drafted him... He's almost overripe - almost Share this post Link to post Share on other sites