Sunday, July 16, 2006

The Wings neglect to sign MacLean, who goes to Phoenix

I'd totally missed this last week but it was pointed out to me and I was pretty surprised. If you remember, Don MacLean had an MVP season in the AHL last year, scoring 56 goals and notching 36 assists in 76 many games with the Griffins. He was brought up to the NHL late in the season and played three games with the Wings, scoring a goal and adding an assist. According to MacLean, however, the Wings didn't have much of an interest in signing him. So, Phoenix gave him two-year, two-way contract that will pay him the league minimum ($500,000) if he makes the NHL roster. Quite frankly, I cannot understand why the Wings had no interest in MacLean. He may well prove unable to put up the same numbers in the NHL but surely he was worth giving a chance, especially given the loss of Shanahan. They'll give little Jiri Hudler a contract but ignore MacLean, who has size, significant scoring ability and who was signed at a can't-beat price. Real smooth, Kenny. Oh well. Good luck in Phoenix, Don.

2 Comments:

At 7/16/2006 05:51:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hudler and Maclean signed for close to the same amount of money, (Hudler got $525k instead of $500k) but Maclean is 29, and has most likely peaked, while Hudler is only 22, and still getting better.

 
At 7/16/2006 11:06:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The benefit of MacLean is that he's bigger and he's grittier. And he's been scoring like he did last season for a couple years. He led the AHL in goals two years in a row. This year he was the MVP. I'm not sure why he didn't get called up more last season. In my opinion, he could play in the NHL. He wouldn't score as many goals, because the NHL is very different from the AHL, especially when you consider goalies that he'd have to score against. But I think he could be effective. Also, Donald has the work ethic that Jiri sometimes lacks. Yes, Hudler is also good and yes, he is getting better (especially in the work ethic area). I like Hudler, and he's really good, but I think MacLean was more what the Wings needed, what they're lacking. I was very sad to see him go.

 

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