Scouting the Detroit Red Wings: Derek Meech

Derek Meech

Today's profile: Derek Meech

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 197
Birthdate: April 21, 1984 (25 years old)
Position: Defense/Wing
Shoots: Left
Uniform #: 14
Contract status: Signed through 2009-10
Salary Cap Figure: $483,333
Salary in 2009-10: $500,000

2008-09

Derek Meech set career highs in games played (42), goals (2), assists (5), points (7), penalty minutes (12) and tied his career high with 44 shots on goal. He also saw his ice time per game drop to 10:02 from 12:08 in 2007-08, but that is due in part to the fact that he played several games at forward in 2008-09. Despite his relatively little ice time he finished with the second worst plus/minus rating (-12) on the team. Meech had little opportunity to settle into a rhythm during the season, never playing more than nine games in a stretch (Nov. 20 through Dec. 6), and never sitting out more than nine games at time (Dec. 10 through Dec. 27). He also saw his ice time fluctuate wildly from game to game, playing as little as 2:46 against Columbus on March 15th, to as much as 23:02 on February 28th against Nashville.

Meech is caught in a difficult position with little power or opportunity to improve matters. He enters into the final year of his contract with Detroit without a real position, and little opportunity available to establish a role for himself. He is at best the Red Wings eighth defenseman, if Andreas Lilja is able to return, having been surpassed by Jonathan Ericsson last season. His position in that role tenuous at best depending on the development Jakub Kindl, and the recent signing of Andy Delmore gives Detroit another option, especially if the powerplay falters at all. Meech showed versatility last season by skating at left wing on the fourth line, and despite the departures of four forwards in the off-season the Wings will promote Ville Leino and Darren Helm, and have signed Patrick Eaves, Jason Williams and Todd Bertuzzi. The result of these moves is there is no room among the forward ranks for Meech. He will have to outplay Kindl and Delmore in training camp to make the team, and if successful will likely once again be a part-time player in Detroit, seeing extended action when others are injured. That being said, over the past three years he has played the equivalent of one NHL season and aside from his plus/minus statistic has decent numbers for a number eight defenseman.

Be sure to check out the slide show below for some action shots of Meech from last season.

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