Ah, there it is, context. Well done.
- MJL

Also does Campbell fit into Berubes and Hextalls plans and system? Campbell I feel is still a bit of a rover out there. LA even had to get Doughty to by in and tone down some of the way he played to get a better commitment to the system.

He's not going to shut anybody down, but neither is AMac, so it's a wash.

Offensively, contract term, special teams, matchups... everything else besides age swings heavily in his favor.

Once his contract is up, we'd already have been transitioning over to the kids.
- Tomahawk

The kids are not an automatic guarantee. They also could be looking for a quality defenseman to replace him and wind up paying more for a defenseman of MacDonald's caliber, because the kids didn't work out. Or is that not a possibility?

Not 1/1,000th as captivating as Paul Stewart stories. Working with him on his blogs is a highlight of every day for me.
- bmeltzer

I know what you mean. One of my friends played for Chip Kelly at Oregon. When we have dinner, I just sit there and let him tell stories. He said Chip would go to class with his players and actually participate in the class.

Good luck with that, Gar.
- tangent_man

i'm more intrigued by the fact she had breakfast with gary bettman this morning... walk of shame ?

The kids are anot an automatic guarantee. They also could be looking for a quality defenseman to replace him and wind up paying more for a defenseman of MacDonald's caliber, because the kids didn't work out. Or is that not a possibility?
- MJL

If none of the kids pan out, we're not going anywhere anyway barring a trade for a top-pair man.

Do you feel MacDonald is underrated because he doesn't do anything great but does things good?
- J35Bacher

I don't think he is underrated in reality in the Hockey world. But he is underrated by many here on Hocekybuzz. He's labeled a 3rd pair defenseman by some.

If none of the kids pan out, we're not going anywhere anyway barring a trade for a top-pair man.
- jmatchett383

That situation is likely true even now.

On the surface, yes, but Upshall's contract expires after next season. And, for all his injuries and inconsistency that have plagued him through his career, he certainly has great speed. He also has an upbeat, enthusiastic sort of personality and that it something the team can use behind-the-scenes with Hartnell going.

But as a hockey trade and use of assets in the short run, it would be a bitter pill to swallow.
- bmeltzer

Ok Bill, put on your GM cap....Weighing everything you just wrote and where you think the flyers current situation is, would you do that deal?

On the surface, yes, but Upshall's contract expires after next season. And, for all his injuries and inconsistency that have plagued him through his career, he certainly has great speed. He also has an upbeat, enthusiastic sort of personality and that it something the team can use behind-the-scenes with Hartnell going.

But as a hockey trade and use of assets in the short run, it would be a bitter pill to swallow.
- bmeltzer

Wouldn't it be great though if he was, for 2 years, the healthy scottie?

i'm more intrigued by the fact she had breakfast with gary bettman this morning... walk of shame ?
- -davies-

Lack of breakfast details isn't disturbing to you?

its been 5 years since upshall was traded
where did my life go

I don't think he is underrated in reality in the Hockey world. But he is underrated by many here on Hocekybuzz. He's labeled a 3rd pair defenseman by some.
- MJL

On just about any of the top contending teams in the NHL... that is exactly what he would be.. He is solid player.... But I feel he is overrated by a few here on Hockeybuzz.

Lack of breakfast details isn't disturbing to you?
- PhillySportsGuy

i'm confident there was a beverage

That situation is likely true even now.
- MJL

If they can get some of the young guys on their ELCs or even second contracts, we'll have a lot more room for a top-2 UFA or a serious boost to our forward group. As it is now, we're stuck (more or less) with having a very expensive defensive group because we can't grow our own. So having 1-2 of the kids playing in the lineup would be a huge help, even if they're bottom-4 contributors.

Do you feel MacDonald is underrated because he doesn't do anything great but does things good?
- J35Bacher

That would be Matt Carle. He was/is underrated

So if Flyers were to make a package for the 1st pick would you include Morin in that package to get the 1st overall pick?

its been 5 years since upshall was traded
where did my life go

- Winning

Oh, sweet youth, how lost on some!
To some, how bright and fleeting!

Yandle is available once again, but once again the prices are "Too damn high!"

On just about any of the top contending teams in the NHL... that is exactly what he would be.. He is solid player.... But I feel he is overrated by a few here on Hockeybuzz.
- jak521

People either love him or they hate him.

Or they think he's okay.

So if Flyers were to make a package for the 1st pick would you include Morin in that package to get the 1st overall pick?
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

No.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers 2014 First-Day Live Draft Blog
- bmeltzer

The 76ers are patiently building a machine. A machine built to last years and contend perennially. A machine not centered around one player but a machine built upon a foundation of suffocating, team-oriented defense and fundamental execution. Every move they have made is with this longterm goal in mind. They are committed and prepared to take the heat from the local and national media as they continue to slowly build this the right, patient way.

On just about any of the top contending teams in the NHL... that is exactly what he would be.. He is solid player.... But I feel he is overrated by a few here on Hockeybuzz.
- jak521

I disagree. I think there's a number of defenseman on top contending teams that look a lot better then they actually are, because of one, the true top pairing players that play huge minutes in front of them. And the team structure and play in support of those defenseman. MacDonald is not a 3rd pair defenseman by any metric.

I don't think he is underrated in reality in the Hockey world. But he is underrated by many here on Hocekybuzz. He's labeled a 3rd pair defenseman by some.
- MJL

True story: During the 2012-13 lockout season, an NHL figure who has known Garth Snow for many years mentioned MacDonald -- in a casual way, not probing for info -- as a player he liked.

Snow half-jokingly responded, "Yeah, and hands off. We're not trading him."

Of course, UFA eligibility, a terrible Islanders season in 2013-14 and the Islanders asking him to do too much this year changed that picture.

But, yes, MacDonald is pretty well-regarded by people from at least several different organizations.

The 76ers are patiently building a machine. A machine built to last years and contend perennially. A machine not centered around one player but a machine built upon a foundation of suffocating, team-oriented defense and fundamental execution. Every move they have made is with this longterm goal in mind. They are committed and prepared to take the heat from the local and national media as they continue to slowly build this the right, patient way.
- Crimsoninja

The NBA is a league where you need at least 1 superstar to be a real threat, and you need to build around that superstar with good supporting players. The Sixers are going nowhere, but they're going there at the speed they dictate.

i'm confident there was a beverage
- -davies-

They ate pancakes. Dry.