Darren McCarty Wants a Comeback

Darren McCarty, the 35-year old former Red Wing "Grind Liner" and part-time rock star, isn't ready to give up the lifestyle of a pro hockey player just yet.

Just when you figured McCarty had vanished into the night, the goateed one is making a comeback with the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League (formerly the United Hockey League).

"I want to play for sure," he told The News. "I'd like to give it a shot and catch on with somebody and play. I think I can still play. I still think I can bring something to the team --- that intangible stuff, leadership, a spark.

"I'm willing to start at the bottom and work my way up, prove myself. I still think there's gas in the tank."

I'm guessing McCarty's motives are mainly financial, given that he went into bankruptcy (thanks to some gambling debts) and got divorced.

What else does McCarty bring other than 'intangibles', now that he is clearly well past his prime?

Last season, McCarty didn't score a single point in 32 games with the Flames. The prior two seasons? Just 24 points in 110 games. There certainly isn't much tangible, other than nasty-looking facial hair.

I understand McCarty's popularity and why people will pull for him to succeed, but I'd be hard-pressed to find an NHL club that could really use somebody to does a whole lot of nothing. McCarty doesn't really fight a lot, or that effectively, and his lone positive attribute appears to be laying the occasional hit. I'd be shocked if McCarty played another NHL game, but stranger things have happened ...