Thursday, January 31, 2013
MacDonald faces uncertain future
By Victoria Matiash
Goalie Joey MacDonald could soon be all healed up with nowhere to play.
MLive.com reports the netminder hopes to be cleared to compete in a couple of weeks after missing months of action with a bulging disc.
"I think it's coming pretty well," MacDonald said, who hadn't skated since August. "(Tuesday) we did a lot of ups and downs and took a few shots. It feels good. We'll keep doing that, ease my way into it. I'm not going to rush into it, I waited this long. Every day add a little bit extra and go from there."
But to where, exactly, is the question. Signed by the Detroit Red Wings this past summer, Jonas Gustavsson (groin) is expected to be in game-ready shape before MacDonald. Unless Gustavsson or No. 1 Jimmy Howard are hurt, a role with the Red Wings appears out of reach. And the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins are in good shape "with highly touted prospect Petr Mrazek and former first-round pick Tom McCollum", according to Ansar Khan.
Unless another club snags MacDonald via trade or off waivers, MacDonald could be stuck in limbo before becoming a free agent this summer.
