I've read some of the back and forth regarding this, and I think you're on to something here. McD needs a shooter with at least enough hands to catch his passes and quickly fire the puck on net. Is that AA? I'm really not sure that he is that kind of player (as in I'm actually ignorant on his skillset, I haven't watched him prior to him playing here), but it does seem that he would be most comfortable being the "Davo Light" by being the guy who gains solid zone entries and keeps the opposing team's depth sweating. I also think Archie/Sheahan are good enough to keep up while mitigating any of AA's defensive deficiencies.
Going back to McD needing a high slot/top of circle shooter with good enough hands, let's see what our options are:
Drai - holy God yes but obviously he needs to drive his own line, which by now the debate has been settled - he IS the man.
Nuge - to me this is a really ideal fit. His wrister is dangerous on either side of the ice, but again obviously at this point you don't break him apart from Drai so that's out.
Kass - doesn't really fit this need at all. He's a grinder with decent IQ and surprisingly decent passing, but shooter and hands he is not.
Neal - Man this guy has the potential to be the shooter, but IDK, he just doesn't have it 5v5 or on the rush at all. Love what he has given us this season on the PP though.
Yamo - don't think he has much of a shot, but could be wrong there. I think he's fantastic behind the net, in the corners, and in tight. Really a perfect complimentary player to feed Drai in the high slot.
Tennis - Ignorant to his ability as a shooter. Maybe, maybe not?
Chia - What a frustrating player. I actually think he can rip the puck, we've seen it before last season and in snippets this season, but the guy just doesn't have it really in any scenario. Also, my God does he ever have stone hands. I've only been playing hockey for 5 years myself and, not shitting you, I have better hands than he does.
Archie - Great grinder/clock killer, doesn't fit this need whatsoever.
Sheahan - Similar to Archie, but a little worse in every way.
Haas - No. Needs to be on the 4th and kill clock.
Khaira - LOL. Another super frustrating player. This guy has all the tools to eat up clock and do the dirty work in the corners, but he doesn't even do that anymore. Stone hands; might actually be worse than Chia. It's actually comical how many wide open nets from 5 feet out he's biffed throughout his career.
Nygard - Not sure this guy even makes the roster when he gets back.
PRuss - No. Send him back to AHL for life, like ASAP.
Granlund - I think his NHL career is about over. Just don't see much out of this player.
Jurco - This guy has the potential to be a slippery and shifty player, but don't see him ever filling this role. Hard to tell obviously from the injury before the season even started.
Benson - Not a shooter. Will be a decent depth playmaker at some point.
That's (I think?) every winger we have. Not really a single compelling choice to fit this role for Davo...so for right now -- right right now -- I think ultimately, we have to put AA with Davo and see what he can do. If AA just never gets it together for the rest of this season, then I'm all for throwing him to depth and letting him be Davo Light next season, and then we go out in the summer and go hunt for a shooter (I'll give my left nut for Hoffman).