LongtimeLeafsufferer
Joined: Jul. 2015
Posts: 59,473
Likes: 22,653
Sure, Mcillrath is an iffy NHLer at best. (as his contract indicates). But the Wings must feel he is a positive guy to have with Grand Rapids. It's partly that off ice stuff we don't about know that helped get him a high minor league salary.
Leafs did the same thing with Justin Holl this year . $ 675,000 a year for two years whether he played in the NHL or AHL. Doesn't hurt the cap if demoted. Many teams wouldn't pick up on waivers due to his high minor league contract. Holl took the deal because it was first and maybe last shot at some good money whether he was NHLer or AHLer.