Nonsense
- Giroux_Is_God

You'd think a guy with that kind of mobility to recover would pressure up more... could be gun shy from all that abuse he took on the Island. Or he just has bad habits.
- Tomahawk

Probably a combination of everything. He has a good stick too. His mobility and stick should allow him to improve in that area if he is able to recognize the issue

i understand. but even the best at standing up at their own blueline still are forced to play within their own zone from time to time.

if this wasnt the case, the game could simply be a competition between dumping and chasing it in.

once its there, you still have to do something with it.

again, this isnt disparaging the skill of preventing zone entries. its an invaluable one. but like everything else, it cant be viewed as simply an all or nothing evalution
- stayinthefnnet

Definitely... problem is, AMac isn't that great in the d-zone either. His positioning can be suspect, he tends to lose his man, and he can get beat 1v1.

If he can be more firm at the line (and having confidence that help should be there if he needs it), and he can do his usual A+ retrieval/outlet thing, he could be a very valuable guy.

If he keeps sitting back on his heels and backing in, and hoping that planting himself in a lane and praying is going to save the day, then we may have problems.

The thing about statistics is they take this into account. Over a period of time (the season) there are hundreds of different situations where easy stops at the blue line get missed by a defender and usually just as many hard stops by the defender at the blue line where a good play is made.

So to disregard the stats completely just because you don't like how they quantified one play, one time is not a valid "discredit" to the stat.

I think MacDonald has played his whole career on a team that has been lackadaisical at best with puck support and back checking and that has severely hurt his confidence to step up on a play at the blue line. Hopefully this can be improved upon and he will not have to stand in the way of so many shot attempts next season.
- FlyersSteve118

I am not saying you are wrong, but the thing about some of these stats is that they make assumptions about what types of situations are present while they are being collected. Hypothetically, D man X could be facing crosby every shift, so the "average" is skewed the same way if they went against Cote every shift. The assumption we have to make is that the average is also against an average of the competition.

I wold also love to know who collects all the stats. There is no way the NHL itself pays for all of this.

- mayorofangrytown

Definitely... problem is, AMac isn't that great in the d-zone either. His positioning can be suspect, he tends to lose his man, and he can get beat 1v1.

If he can be more firm at the line (and having confidence that help should be there if he needs it), and he can do his usual A+ retrieval/outlet thing, he could be a very valuable guy.

If he keeps sitting back on his heels and backing in, and hoping that planting himself in a lane and praying is going to save the day, then we may have problems.
- Tomahawk

I agree, but I think his defensive zone positioning is pretty solid.

But if he keeps the gaps closer, who retrieves the puck, Schenn on his moped?
I would be interested to see what kind of quality shots were generated from those who entered on Mac's side.
Did they gain the interior of the zone on his side, or was he able to contain them to the outside?
- nails

If he doesn't keep the gap closer, the other team maintains the puck after entering the zone. That drives puck possession and leads to the minutes of being hemmed in our zone we saw in the Rangers series.

Also, Schenn is perfectly capable of retrieving a puck.

If he doesn't keep the gap closer, the other team maintains the puck after entering the zone. That drives puck possession and leads to the minutes of being hemmed in our zone we saw in the Rangers series.

Also, Schenn is perfectly capable of retrieving a puck.
- aflyerpower8

I will say this... if B Schenn, Simmer and VL never see the ice together again, that alone would probably boost zone entry denials for the entire group. Those three were patently incapable of coming back to help, and you could tell that their dmen knew it.

I will say this... if B Schenn, Simmer and VL never see the ice together again, that alone would probably boost zone entry denials for the entire group. Those three were patently incapable of coming back to help, and you could tell that their dmen knew it.
- Tomahawk

My biggest fear is that VL will be back next season and they will be forced to roll the same (frank)ing line out because VL isn't good enough for the top line and isn't good enough defensively for the 3rd line.

My biggest fear is that VL will be back next season and they will be forced to roll the same (frank)ing line out because VL isn't good enough for the top line and isn't good enough defensively for the 3rd line.
- PhillySportsGuy

With Hartnell gone, I see Schenn sliding up. The top three lines would look like this:

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Umberger-VL-Simmonds
Raffl-Couts-Read

It's odd how it's assumed that Tyler Seguin is going to keep playing well and not be an issue off the ice, which was what got him dealt in the first place, but Eriksson or Smith won't get even better, or Fraser will develop.

Character is a funny thing. Some guys grow up, fly straight. Some guys fake it for a season to prove a team wrong...and can't sustain it.

We'll see what Tyler Seguin's true character is, going forward. We'll see what the B's do, going forward.

But personally? They're gonna find a winger. And they're gonna be just fine until Chara's play slips, not because Tyler Seguin's gone.
- AllInForFlyers

Sorry for the late response but Tyler Seguin is a fomer second overall pick who was in a second or third line wing role with the Bruins and found himself back at his natural position at center and playing on the top line. It's a pretty safe bet he'll only improve regardless of maturity.it was rumoured Richards, Carter, Lupul, Upshall and Hartnell were mature as a group. This isn't to say they couldn't be successful.

Again, sorry to bring this up hours later but I feel this is a valid point.

How is Stolarz projecting these days? Sounded like maybe his last year in junior wasn't so hot… but then again, he's a goalie and all that.
- eayost

AHL bound for now, still has development ahead of him.

I am not saying you are wrong, but the thing about some of these stats is that they make assumptions about what types of situations are present while they are being collected. Hypothetically, D man X could be facing crosby every shift, so the "average" is skewed the same way if they went against Cote every shift. The assumption we have to make is that the average is also against an average of the competition.

I wold also love to know who collects all the stats. There is no way the NHL itself pays for all of this.
- nails

So when Coburn plays against the other teams best line and forces more than triple of these tougher opponents to dump the puck in than MacDonald does vs. weaker competition. Isn't that much more telling that something is lacking?

Also..

Most are collected by stats guys from media websites and stuff, then when they prove that the information they collect is useful and relevant (teams begin to use the info or people discuss the info a lot), the NHL hires its own people to collect the data.

I will say this... if B Schenn, Simmer and VL never see the ice together again, that alone would probably boost zone entry denials for the entire group. Those three were patently incapable of coming back to help, and you could tell that their dmen knew it.
- Tomahawk

Agreed. They are also 3 of the same type of player. 3 Big guys who are good in the corners and in front of the net and can score but aren't that fast and aren't great at hanging onto the puck and moving it.

With Hartsy gone, moving around Umberger, Voracek and/or Read might help those players break out a bit more at even strength.

My biggest fear is that VL will be back next season and they will be forced to roll the same (frank)ing line out because VL isn't good enough for the top line and isn't good enough defensively for the 3rd line.
- PhillySportsGuy

Please Raptor Jesus no...

With Hartnell gone, I see Schenn sliding up. The top three lines would look like this:

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Umberger-VL-Simmonds
Raffl-Couts-Read
- aflyerpower8

I wouldn't mind seeing

Schenn Giroux Simmonds
Raffl VL Voracek
Umberger Couts Read

Put two possession guys around Vinny and that should help him get to the dangerous areas where he can be most useful. Also a defensively responsible guy like Raffl on his line wouldn't be the worst idea.

Please Raptor Jesus no...
- Tomahawk

Every day he isn't moved is another day we move closer to this happening.

I'm quite aware of the reported issues when Seguin was in Boston. But there have been no issues since then that I'm aware of in Dallas. Hockey players are no different then normal everyday people. Young people mature. And there is no information currently to suggest that Seguin for one, will not continue to play well, or will have off ice or maturity issues.

Every post you made in reply has been one strawman argument after another. From claiming that I blamed Ericksson and Reilly, to bringing the Flyers into it, to now claiming that I said anything even remotely close to Boston being a poor, pathetic, directionless franchise. None of that was said. All that was said was that in my opinion, Boston erred with trading Seguin. It's that simple. One trade. And the only narrative that you think I'm pushing, is being invented.
And if we want to talk about a narrative. Boston came up short in thier goal last season. And I guarantee that they view the season as a disapointment. So how can you say they didn't miss him? Maybe if they keep Seguin, things are different. Who knows? But you state they didn't miss him as if it's a fact.
- MJL

I'm sorry again but this was an interesting topic I missed.

Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, Brian McGrattan and Ray Emery were notorious for partying in Ottawa. In McGrattan's case we later found out this partying was drug related. Emery was the one who put up the most of all the headlines.

However all four of these players grew up and are still playing.

Every day he isn't moved is another day we move closer to this happening.
- PhillySportsGuy

Stop it... you're scaring the children!

Stop it... you're scaring the children!
- Tomahawk

It's my worst fear

With Hartnell gone, I see Schenn sliding up. The top three lines would look like this:

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Umberger-VL-Simmonds
Raffl-Couts-Read
- aflyerpower8

You could also move Voracek Down for vinnie.

Umberger-G-simmonds
Schenn-Vinnie-Voracek
Raffl-Coots-Read

or Read up with Vinnie

Scehnn-G-Voracek
Read-Vinnie-Simmonds
Raffl-Coots-Umberger

Every day he isn't moved is another day we move closer to this happening.
- PhillySportsGuy

yes. yes. yesssss

You could also move Voracek Down for vinnie.

Umberger-G-simmonds
Schenn-Vinnie-Voracek
Raffl-Coots-Read

or Read up with Vinnie

Scehnn-G-Voracek
Read-Vinnie-Simmonds
Raffl-Coots-Umberger
- flyler

Our line up hasn't changed so much that we cannot go...

Raffl-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Umburger-Couturier-Read
Rosehill-Laughton-Rinaldo

However I wanna see a top line of Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds if this is what we're going with. Voracek is a very good player who does a nice job next to G but I don't wanna underrate what Schenn and Simmonds can do or what they're capable of doing.

yes. yes. yesssss
- stayinthefnnet

shouldnt you be pushing old ladies down flights of steps somewhere or something?

AHL bound for now, still has development ahead of him.
- ob18

I will say this, anyone judging him on his play in the Memorial Cup Tournament didn't really get to see him play. That wasn't the Knights team from the regular season. They were terrible.