It’s a waiting game for forward Brett MacLean.

He skated with the Pirates this morning as he awaits to find out if he’ll be calling Portland, Maine his home for this season or, if it was a short stay on his way to another city with a chance at an NHL dream.

MacLean was placed on waiver by the Pirates parent club, the Phoenix Coyotes, on Wednesday. If he clears, he’ll be officially assigned to Portland. If not, he’ll keep the memories of his weekend stay in Portland and the fans will be left to wonder what if.

“I’m trying to enjoy my time here,” said MacLean. “I’m not quite sure I’m going to play here. Obviously, everyone wants to play in the NHL, but my focus is on being here and after tomorrow I can start to turn my focus on getting settled in and explore the city a little bit.”

The London, Ontario native, a second round (#32 overall) draft pick of the Coyotes in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, played three years for the Coyotes previous affiliate in San Antonio where he’s scored 74 goals, 81 assists for 155 points in 201 games.

Although, he was one of the last cut in camp, MacLean has held himself to a higher standard indicating more that once that he didn’t have a camp that met his standards.

“I didn’t have a camp that met my standards whether it was the pressure or – what not – I’m not sure, but (Phoenix) has told me that they liked the way that I’ve gone,” MacLean said. “I need to just come down here and get stronger, work on my quickness and really just gain my confidence back.”

MacLean skated on a line with Matt Watkins and Marc-Anthoine Pouliot during practice.

Other line combinations were:
MacLean-Pouliot-Watkins
Beaudoin-Miele-Duncan
Long-Werek-Rome
Gongalsky-Bennett-Hollweg

D-Line pairings:
Arsene-Goncharov
Stafford-Summers
Eckford-Stone
Brodeur-Ross

Curtis McElhinney and Nathan Oystrick cleared waivers and were assigned to Portland. McElhinney shared the ice with goaltender’s Justin Pogge and Marc Cheverie. Oystrick is expected to be on the ice in Portland on Thursday.