Andy MacDonald and Mark Streit are two of our most expensive players. Fun fact about these two. They both might have been a top pair together with the Isalanders but here neither will be on the top pair together or apart. Nicolas Grossmann in my opinion has a better chance at seeing the top pair then these two. It will be Coburn with Timonen and spotted with Grossmann if Timonen cannot go.

Timonen-Coburn
Grossmann-Streit
MacDonald-Schenn

Or...

Grossmann-Coburn
Timonen-Schenn
MacDonald-Streit

No worries. We got Schultz
- PhillySportsGuy

Indeed.

Unless you can push Couturier up to the 2nd line, I think Laughton is going to be your 4th line center.
- Doc_Sarcasm

I'd prefer to see Laughton start in Lehigh Valley, but I think he might just barge his way onto this roster.

I'm surprised I haven't see more Vinny + D man + prospects/picks for Green out of Wash rumours/suggestions. Wash needs a second line center and we need a R handed potential number one. I can't see a deal where they would take what I would offer but I'm surprised it hasn't been discussed more.
- coffee junkie

The only issue is that Green is not a #1 in my opinion. And with having MacDonald and Streit, Green is not the type of defenseman I would want; to add to the mix.

Question!

How has Jay Rosehill maintained a regular spot in the NHL and Zack Stortini has not? Prior to being able to hold a job the past four years, he's got pretty good offensive numbers for a fourth liner.

I'm sure you've read it, but:
http://www.broadstreethoc...enseman-neutral-zone-play

I don't see how you could argue that he doesn't have issues yielding the blueline when Schenn and Grossmann are playing closer gaps and they are much slower players.
- aflyerpower8

Every situation is different in Hockey. Each play and each rush is different. I'm far more interested in whether a defenseman made the right read on a play, as to whether he backed in or challenged at the blueline, then just a blanket number that pretends that gap control is only the responsibility of the defenseman on that side of the ice, that the play entered the zone on. I'm not saying that MacDonald doesn't have areas of his game that he needs to work on. But there was only a small sample of games for MacDonald here versus other players. Who also played here for a while and were comfortable, and adjusted to playing with the team and in the system of play. I say give MacDonald a full training camp, and see what happens.

Sometimes I wonder why we never heard so much about this great Andrew MacDonald before he joined the Flyers.

The flyers back check for everyone except Amac
- PhillySportsGuy

Look at the pictures in the article posted. I can see why MacDonald backed in when he did.

I'd prefer to see Laughton start in Lehigh Valley, but I think he might just barge his way onto this roster.
- johndewar

Hextall stated at the STH meeting tonight, according to a few people who texted me and were there, that Hexy wants Laughton to start in Allentown. He reiterated he's building thru the draft and stressed patience.

Why did the Flyers trade for this players and sign him to a deal for 5M a year?
- MJL

For the same reason why they paid Randy Jones as a top-4 guy? He played as one for awhile, therefore he must deserve to get paid as one, right?

In AMac's case, it was top-pair.

And how does Bill Clement, a former NHL player, see a completely different player? Why do they see the opposite of what you see in the player?
- MJL

I'm sure Errey has nice things to say about Orpik and Engelland off-camera, ditto Brickley/Thornton, and Greenlay/Stoner, but I understand that those are just personal opinions expressed by guys who do TV, and I'm not going to rely on them to validate a team's player decisions or justify contracts.

For the same reason why they paid Randy Jones as a top-4 guy? He played as one for awhile, therefore he must deserve to get paid as one, right?

In AMac's case, it was top-pair.



I'm sure Errey has nice things to say about Orpik and Engelland off-camera, ditto Brickley/Thornton, and Greenlay/Stoner, but I understand that those are just personal opinions expressed by guys who do TV, and I'm not going to rely on them to validate a team's player decisions or justify contracts.
- Tomahawk

if you could tear up Amacs deal, and just have him walk. no compensation. but no longer have his contracts on the books. do you?

if you could tear up Amacs deal, and just have him walk. no compensation. but no longer have his contracts on the books. do you?
- stayinthefnnet

Do I get the picks back?

For the same reason why they paid Randy Jones as a top-4 guy? He played as one for awhile, therefore he must deserve to get paid as one, right?


- Tomahawk

Randy Jones earned his contract with a solid season in 07/08, and it was only a two year deal. Unfortunately he got hurt and regressed. But that really has nothing to do with MacDonald, and you dodged the question.

I'm sure Errey has nice things to say about Orpik and Engelland off-camera, ditto Brickley/Thornton, and Greenlay/Stoner, but I understand that those are just personal opinions expressed by guys who do TV, and I'm not going to rely on them to validate a team's player decisions or justify contracts.
- Tomahawk

I think you have that backwards. Off camera in a casual conversation between two fellow hockey analysts is when a person would say what he truly felt about a player, without worrying about having to be PC, or worrying about pissing off an employer.
Bottom line is that if your statements were accurate about MacDonald as a player, Clement, Meltzer, and more importantly, Holmgren would know it. There's a track record here. Mark Streit stunk and was a bad signing also, before he even played for the team. Bill's post made a pretty obvious point, but did so politely, and tactfully.

Who's Washington's second line center?

if you could tear up Amacs deal, and just have him walk. no compensation. but no longer have his contracts on the books. do you?
- stayinthefnnet

Yes, yes, and yes.

Who's Washington's second line center?
- SuperSchennBros

Right now, probably Brooks Laich.

Do I get the picks back?
- aflyerpower8

nope.

the only incentive/reward is to be out of his deal.

[quote=MJL]Randy Jones earned his contract with a solid season in 07/08, and it was only a two year deal. Unfortunately he got hurt and regressed. But that really has nothing to do with MacDonald, and you dodged the question.



I think a large part of what affected Randy Jones was being vilified and suspended for a few games when the guy from the Bruins he was hitting turned towards the boards and ended up with a concussion (was this the same guy whose career was ended by Matt Cooke ??)

nope.

the only incentive/reward is to be out of his deal.
- stayinthefnnet

Tough, but I probably would. I can't see the player that he is now living up to his contract, and I don't even want to think about if he starts slowing down at the back end of it.

[quote=MJL]Randy Jones earned his contract with a solid season in 07/08, and it was only a two year deal. Unfortunately he got hurt and regressed. But that really has nothing to do with MacDonald, and you dodged the question.



I think a large part of what affected Randy Jones was being vilified and suspended for a few games when the guy from the Bruins he was hitting turned towards the boards and ended up with a concussion (was this the same guy whose career was ended by Matt Cooke ??)
- Steelmanpa

No it was Patrice Bergeron

if you could tear up Amacs deal, and just have him walk. no compensation. but no longer have his contracts on the books. do you?
- stayinthefnnet

I do.

I don't hate MacDonald the player. He's got flaws, but he's also got decent attributes. Unfortunately, the Flyers are paying him to be an anchor on one of their top two pairs and I don't think he is good enough to be that.

I think a large part of what affected Randy Jones was being vilified and suspended for a few games when the guy from the Bruins he was hitting turned towards the boards and ended up with a concussion (was this the same guy whose career was ended by Matt Cooke ??)
- Steelmanpa

I think it was the hip injury the season after being re-signed that did him in more then anything.

Tough, but I probably would. I can't see the player that he is now living up to his contract, and I don't even want to think about if he starts slowing down at the back end of it.
- aflyerpower8

interesting. while i dont think he is necessarily as good, he is pretty close to me, and there are many similarities to the style of play and the deal itself, that remind me of the paul martin situation.

2 years ago, people would have burned him in effigy. now, he has arguably been their most important/consistent defender for quite some time.

I do.

I don't hate MacDonald the player. He's got flaws, but he's also got decent attributes. Unfortunately, the Flyers are paying him to be an anchor on one of their top two pairs and I don't think he is good enough to be that.
- Jsaquella

i think he is a solid enough second pairing guy.

no, not top pair anchor. but not bottom pair filler either. he may be overpaid by a half mil a year.

i think he is a solid enough second pairing guy.

no, not top pair anchor. but not bottom pair filler either. he may be overpaid by a half mil a year.
- stayinthefnnet

I have a bigger issue with the term & salary combo. I think Stralman is very comparable to MacDonald & he's got a year less and a $1mm smaller cap hit.

I think he can be your 4th defenseman, might be better suited to be the best guy on the third pair on a really good team. I don't think he's suited to be the key guy on your second pair. It's not a knock on the guy, I'm not saying he's an AHL quality guy, but he's not a guy I would have committed the money & term to.