Columbus Blue Jackets’ defensive forward, Derek MacKenzie, eager on future moves – NHL News
The contract of Columbus Blue Jackets’ defensive forward, Derek MacKenzie, is set to expire at the end of current National Hockey League (NHL) season and the player is hoping to find another suitor around the league before the trade deadline of February
27, 2012.
MacKenzie, whose professional hockey league career was impossibility at one point, said that he was focused on the future prospects, especially on the chances of renewing his contract with Columbus before becoming free agency.
He said:
"You know what, it's not really something I try to think about too much."
The player hopes to get something done to his deal before end of the trade deadline, next Monday, while, at the same time, expressing his desire of sticking with Blue Jackets for more seasons to come.
Mackenzie added:
"It's kind of flattering. I like Columbus. I like the guys in the room. It's definitely disappointing and frustrating the situation we're in. Sometimes it gets a little monotonous to keep saying we're doing the right things and headed in the right direction,
but I think we are closer."
It is yet again that the player faces an uncertainty in continuity of his career, as his present contract of worth $600,000 a year is set to expire later this year.
MacKenzie’s entire career is marked with such ups and downs.
Early on in his career, he found it difficult to get a place into the professional league.
He was sent back to the American Hockey League (NHL) by professional sides, on more than one occasion, where he played 550 games.
The player found opportunities to participate for 28 games for Atlanta Thrashers in between.
Following questioning of his place in the NHL by general manager, Kevin Cheveldayoff, who did not see any talent or potential in the player, an opportunity came by for him to join Blue Jackets.
He, through his abilities to learn and hard work, proved his critics wrong and has progressed in his career consistently.
Blue Jackets interim coach, Todd Richards, now speaks high of the player’s skills and willingness to learn and grow.
Richards said:
"Well, it's his speed and his work. That's what allows him to have success in this League. He's willing to pay a price: block shots, take hits.”
As far as his move to another side is concerned, the player has, so far, not been linked to talks around joining any potential outfit in the league. The NHL commentators who have seen him playing are hopeful about his hockey future.
A majority of them are particularly banking on his ability to have overcome such crisis in the past.
This is the second season that MacKenzie is playing for Blue Jackets, and contrary to the opinion of critics, the player has proved that he is a professional league player.
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