Usually in agreement, but this trade was not cheap. Trading two high-picks for a rental is not cheap. If he signs an extension, then I'll call it fair value. But it's not fair to call this move cheap.
- steelydan

Do you honestly think that the Flyers made this deal and are going to let him walk? For a top 4 defenseman who can play in all situations, has some decent offensive ability, skates well, and is a decent puck mover. It's cheap.

Usually in agreement, but this trade was not cheap. Trading two high-picks for a rental is not cheap. If he signs an extension, then I'll call it fair value. But it's not fair to call this move cheap.
- steelydan

It may be better off if it's a rental actually... If a contract of 4.5-5.5 is what the extension will be, not sure I want MacDonald. I have seen a decent amount of him, he does get exposed playing 25+ minutes a game. I would guess he gets in the 15-19 range here. Have 20 games, plus potential playoffs to evaluate his play.

It may be better off if it's a rental actually... If a contract of 4.5-5.5 is what the extension will be, not sure I want MacDonald. I have seen a decent amount of him, he does get exposed playing 25+ minutes a game. I would guess he gets in the 15-19 range here. Have 20 games, plus potential playoffs to evaluate his play.
- PLindbergh31

He's going to see more then 15 minutes a game here. It's going to be around 20 a night.
As salaries have inflated, I don't think the fans view of what is a big deal has expanded with it. 4.5-5M just isn't a big deal now a days. It what good players cost. It's only going to keep going up.

Wow they ripping amac on the islanders board

Do you honestly think that the Flyers made this deal and are going to let him walk? For a top 4 defenseman who can play in all situations, has some decent offensive ability, skates well, and is a decent puck mover. It's cheap.
- MJL

Is he really a top-4? If those offensive attributes actually fit him, then yes; I'm excited. I've never watched him play, so I won't pretend to know what he brings to the table. I see that he has relatively poor numbers on a poor Islanders team, so I can't put too much credence into that.

Do I think they'll let him walk? No, but it's a 2-way street. He's a UFA. He could easily price himself out of the Flyers' wallet, especially if he has a decent post-season. It's a risky move in the sense that the Flyers gave up two high draft picks for a player that has a financial ceiling. The Flyers cannot afford to overpay yet another d-man. They will have to walk away and say thanks but no thanks. And if that's the case; the 2nd+3rd is not cheap (unless they win the Cup).

I'm not slighting the guy, I'm simply stating the guy didn't come cheap and isn't a sure thing to be re-signed.

Wow they ripping amac on the islanders board
- PhillaBully

I saw a theory that as soon as a player is traded, said fan base immediately says that player sucks! Case in point.... JVR... Boy, he blows!

He's going to see more then 15 minutes a game here. It's going to be around 20 a night.
As salaries have inflated, I don't think the fans view of what is a big deal has expanded with it. 4.5-5M just isn't a big deal now a days. It what good players cost. It's only going to keep going up.
- MJL

If anything I think we should be happy we just got a $4.5mil+ dman for a couple picks. Once we trade a guy he is inevitably here to replace, it will be even less.

Wow they ripping amac on the islanders board
- PhillaBully

Of course they are as they did with Streit sour grapes.

So when does Vanek get traded for St. Louis

Seriously though, Vanek not dressed for the Isles tonight.

Wow they ripping amac on the islanders board
- PhillaBully

They've got nothing else to do, and they just lost their best defenseman!

So when does Vanek get traded for St. Louis

Seriously though, Vanek not dressed for the Isles tonight.
- Giroux_Is_God

It's a Fishstick fire sale.

I'm hopin they keep Mez. Despite some gaffs in the defensive zone, he is a two-way dman with mobility. We need that balance in the lineup. Thinking about it, Mez is a two-way guy who leans more to offense. Mac is a two-way guy who leans more to defense. Both have mobility. A Mac-Mez pairing might be really good.

Wow they ripping amac on the islanders board
- PhillaBully

Of course they are. Always an interesting phenomenon in the world of sports fans. When a player is at a point where he turns down a contract with a team, and the fans know that he inevitably going to be traded. A lot of fans then turn on the player. They focus on any negatives and berate the player. Then when he is traded to another team, they go to the fans of the other team, and tell them how much the guy they just traded for, sucks! And same in conversations among themselves. But if you had gone to them 3 months ago and told them that "their" player sucked. The same would be up in your face.

So when does Vanek get traded for St. Louis

Seriously though, Vanek not dressed for the Isles tonight.
- Giroux_Is_God

My money's on LA getting him.

I'm hopin they keep Mez. Despite some gaffs in the defensive zone, he is a two-way dman with mobility. We need that balance in the lineup. Thinking about it, Mez is a two-way guy who leans more to offense. Mac is a two-way guy who leans more to defense. Both have mobility. A Mac-Mez pairing might be really good.
- JAKEw1234

I agree. Let's not forget the fact that Mez is operating at almost a half point per game this season. That's clutch from the back end.

Is that really worth dealing away for a 4th or 3rd because we want to "make room" for someone like Gus?

I'm hopin they keep Mez. Despite some gaffs in the defensive zone, he is a two-way dman with mobility. We need that balance in the lineup. Thinking about it, Mez is a two-way guy who leans more to offense. Mac is a two-way guy who leans more to defense. Both have mobility. A Mac-Mez pairing might be really good.
- JAKEw1234

He's been able to stay healthy this year. Maybe Grossmann or Schenn get dealt tomorrow. I don't think the Flyers could even get a first round pick for Schenn at this point.

Is he really a top-4? If those offensive attributes actually fit him, then yes; I'm excited. I've never watched him play, so I won't pretend to know what he brings to the table. I see that he has relatively poor numbers on a poor Islanders team, so I can't put too much credence into that.

Do I think they'll let him walk? No, but it's a 2-way street. He's a UFA. He could easily price himself out of the Flyers' wallet, especially if he has a decent post-season. It's a risky move in the sense that the Flyers gave up two high draft picks for a player that has a financial ceiling. The Flyers cannot afford to overpay yet another d-man. They will have to walk away and say thanks but no thanks. And if that's the case; the 2nd+3rd is not cheap (unless they win the Cup).

I'm not slighting the guy, I'm simply stating the guy didn't come cheap and isn't a sure thing to be re-signed.
- steelydan

I think he is a top 4 defenseman. And I'm confident that they'll re-sign him to a market value deal. And I think overpaying is subjective. Many times players are called over paid without context. I guess we'll just have to disagree about the cheap part.

Look people...calling Shrek "Geno" is dumb

I'm hopin they keep Mez. Despite some gaffs in the defensive zone, he is a two-way dman with mobility. We need that balance in the lineup. Thinking about it, Mez is a two-way guy who leans more to offense. Mac is a two-way guy who leans more to defense. Both have mobility. A Mac-Mez pairing might be really good.
- JAKEw1234

I think your opinion of Mez defense is different than mine. I'm fine with him as a 6/7 defenseman. I'm not re-signing him though.

My money's on LA getting him.
- JAKEw1234

Who would they trade? I'm not really familiar with any of their prospects and I can't imagine them trading an NHLer for him. Seems counter intuitive, to a point

If anything I think we should be happy we just got a $4.5mil+ dman for a couple picks. Once we trade a guy he is inevitably here to replace, it will be even less.
- JAKEw1234

The talk has been all Season that they need to improve the defense. Need to get more all around defenseman with more mobility. Well they just did that.

Look people...calling Shrek "Geno" is dumb
- Giroux_Is_God

Where did this come from?

I think your opinion of Mez defense is different than mine. I'm fine with him as a 6/7 defenseman. I'm not re-signing him though.
- PhillySportsGuy

I would, if he's gonna look for 2-3.5 mil.

If he's back there looking for a 4 year deal for 16 mil though....buh bye

Where did this come from?
- PhillySportsGuy

A "live look in" via NHL network.

Swear to you the Pens announcer called him Geno 7 times in a minute and a half

Look people...calling Shrek "Geno" is dumb
- Giroux_Is_God