Derek Meech has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a lower body injury in Wednesday's practice back in Winnipeg. Meech has no points and four penalty minutes in two games and has no fantasy value at this point.

Derek Meech is dealing with a lower body injury. Meech is not traveling with the Winnipeg Jets, who are scheduled to play in Tampa Bay on Saturday. He has no points and four penalty minutes in two games.

Derek Meech will draw into Winnipeg's lineup for the first time this season on Wednesday night. He has been waiting as an extra defenseman and will replace Ron Hainsey, who is out with an upper-body injury, in his Jets' debut.

Derek Meech will begin the 2011-12 season with the Winnipeg Jets. "I've worked hard so far to get myself into this situation," he said. "I don't want to let up at all. But at the same time, you have to let yourself be excited because it's an achievement and I get the opportunity to play in the NHL in my hometown city. It's a good feeling, that. I have to enjoy it but I have to remember the hard work has just begun." The 27-year-old defender has appeared in just 126 career games and they all came with Detroit. Meech is slated to serve as the team's seventh or eighth defenseman, but he can also line up as a forward if need be. That versatility probably helped him secure a roster spot.

Derek Meech is thrilled that he is now with his hometown Winnipeg Jets. Meech signed as an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after spending his whole career with the Red Wings organization. He played for Grand Rapids last season, scoring 10 goals and 37 points in 74 games. "I'm fired up and ready to go," Meech said. "I've been around for a long time and I know how it goes. It's up to me at this point to show how I can play and if I play to the standards that I'm comfortable with, then I'll be confident in knowing that I'll have some success." He will have no fantasy value if he cracks the Jets blueline.

Derek Meech is obviously thrilled that he has signed with the Jets. Meech was born in Winnipeg and played his junior hockey just down the road with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL. That said, the journeyman forward is on a two-way deal and will have to make the Jets in order to earn his $700,000 NHL salary. He has no fantasy value.

Derek Meech has agreed to a two-way contract with the Winnipeg Jets. Meech scored 10 goals and 37 points in 74 AHL games last season. He's a depth forward, but he might end up earning a spot on the Jets as a bottom-six forward.