by Tom Reed, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH , The Columbus Dispatch

At age 28, the son of a former junior Hockey coach understands his role in the Blue Jackets organization. He is a depth player, not a prospect, and his occasional promotions to Columbus are always round trips.

On Saturday night, as MacKenzie discussed his contribution to the Jackets' 3-2 win over Carolina, general manager Scott Howson walked toward the coach's office and asked to speak with him.

"I've been down that hallway before," MacKenzie said, smiling.

It was his first poor read of the week.

Howson told him the club wanted him to remain for at least another game and wondered whether he had enough clothes.

A veteran of 500-plus minor-league games, the checking center is the latest member of the Syracuse Crunch to make a short-term impact on the Jackets.

A season ago, the likes of goaltender Dan LaCosta, forward Alexandre Picard and several Crunch alumni helped the club through a critical January stretch to remain in Stanley Cup playoff contention.

The Jackets enjoyed a 5-2 start to this season, thanks in part to the steady play of defenseman Mathieu Roy, while Mike Commodore was rehabbing a pulled groin muscle.

"Look at the injuries around the league right now," Howson said. "Your organization has to be 28 to 30 players deep to have any success."

The Jackets are 2-0-1 since MacKenzie, who had ankle surgery at the start of last season, was elevated on emergency recall because of an upper-body injury to Kristian Huselius. Centering a fourth line, MacKenzie makes smart plays, supplies energy and brings a level of maturity not often associated with a minor leaguer.

"I really trust him," Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. "l like the way he organizes the line, and I love his competitiveness. ... Now that his ankle is healthy again, he's quicker and more agile."

MacKenzie, a fifth-round draft pick of Atlanta in 1999, set up a Raffi Torres goal against the Thrashers on Thursday in a 4-3 win. He added another assist Saturday as his linemates, Nikita Filatov and Jared Boll, produced two goals.

"That was our best line for two periods until we got rolling, and they were the ones who got us rolling," Howson said.

Former Sudbury Wolves coach Ken MacKenzie probably had a couple of beers in his basement bar, watching his son play his 49th NHL game since turning pro in 2001.

Derek's wife, Sarah, and 6-month-old daughter, Reese, await his return to Syracuse, which MacKenzie was convinced would occur Friday. The 5-foot-11 center had his bags packed and blue Crunch sweat suit ready to wear for his flight to Central New York.

Instead, MacKenzie had to buy a second pair of jeans for his extended stay. Hitchcock said Saturday night that he was thinking of keeping the Filatov-MacKenzie-Boll line intact for Wednesday's game against Detroit.

"Tonight, I was fighting to stay for another game," said MacKenzie, a first-time AHL All-Star last season. "Guys like me take it day to day up here.

"When I'm in Syracuse I don't think about when I might get called up. I don't think that's productive; it leads to frustration. You just prepare for when your time comes."

MacKenzie's time is here again. He's savoring every moment before he has to reach for his blue sweat suit.

treed@dispatch.com

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