| 09 September 2010
An hour and a half - that's how long it usually takes me to drive to Grand Rapids leaving from either home or work. It's also the exact amount of time that Derek Meech has to get claimed before he clears waivers and will be able to be sent to the AHL by Detroit (should they choose to do so). So therefore, there was a double meaning in that title. Pun-ny? You make the call. But the clock is ticking...
“I’ve been with Detroit a long time and they’ve treated me well. I’ve worked hard to get into the top six. If I can’t get into the top six, maybe I’d have to go.”--Derek Meech
That quote came from the Macomb Daily yesterday after the announcement that he was being waived. Maybe he'll go, maybe he won't. George Malik doesn't think anyone is going to pick him up saying that he "probably won't be claimed".
So what if Derek Meech worked his butt off and out performs Jakub Kindl at training camp? What if Salei's back starts acting up? Derek Meech might be a good guy to have around this year...especially at his low, low Cap hit. Having Meech in Grand Rapids could prove to be a useful tool if things go belly up with either Kindl or Salei.
So I'm throwing my hat in the "hope he clears" ring. Honestly, at 26 years old, Meech could still not have played his best hockey. I always thought he had more potential to be good then Brett Lebda (now MapLebda). But Kindl is nothing but un-tapped potential - at least that's what he hope. So keep the 5th year defenseman around if we can. If nobody bites when he goes through the waiver wire, I think Meech can waive that "I'd get better minutes somewhere else" argument goodbye.
Be happy with any result, Derek.
