Category: Red Wings
Posted by Dave Dye (The Detroit News) on Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 5:28 PMThe Mac watch
The reason Darren McCarty's contract hasn't been signed yet is a little complicated, but here's at least part of the explanation:
The Wings can only afford to offer him a two-way contract - $575,000 if he's in the NHL, $100,000 if he goes to Grand Rapids to play in the minors.
McCarty would like some bonus money put into the deal.
In the past, a team could apply that bonus money to the next season's payroll and salary cap.
However, teams aren't allowed to do that this year because the players union has the option of re-opening the CBA (collective bargaining agreement) next summer.
So any bonus money has to be applied to this season's cap, according to the current cap rules.
The Wings don't have enough cap room to give McCarty - or Chris Chelios for that matter - the type of bonus offers that they might have in the past.
McCarty and his agent are working on getting some clarifications on this issue before signing the two-way deal.
With a two-way contract, a player makes no more than $100,000 in the minors.
McCarty brought up the possibility of signing strictly a minor-league contract with Grand Rapids for more than that amount if it was clear he was going to be in the minors. He used the example of "$250,000."
McCarty admitted he's no better than the 13th forward entering the Wings' training camp. The Wings will likely keep 12 or 13 forwards.
"I had fun down there," McCarty said of his time in Grand Rapids last season. "I get to score goals. It was like Junior again.
You play here (in Detroit), you have a role to play. It's pretty set in stone. Down there, you get the ice time, you get to play. It's a great community, great organization. They run it very well.
"I would not have a problem at all to play (in Grand Rapids). I just want to be compensated for it, I guess. The way the CBA is, hands are tied."
With McCarty's history of alcoholism and other off-ice troubles, staying close to home is important, more so than for the average player. This is where he has his support group, including his children.
McCarty said he has had some other offers from NHL clubs, but he didn't elaborate.
He skated with some of his Wings' teammates Tuesday during an optional workout. He said the only deadline to complete a deal is before the Wings leave for Traverse City on Sept. 18.
"This is the only place I want to play," McCarty said, referring to the Wings' organization. "I'm just trying to figure out a way to make that happen. In order to play somewhere else and leave here, it'd have to be something pretty special.
"Playing down there (Grand Rapids), I would not have a problem at all. I'm at the point of my career where I'd like to think I can help this organization in developing guys."
One way or another, it's fairly certain McCarty will be in a Wings' uniform when training camp opens.
