Watching the breakout last night was like watching a bad cover band try to play a song out of their league. It was sloppy, and horrible to watch. If you cant complete a wide open pass in your own zone you may as well just blow it up.

Its the Final Countdown for this team.


- MBFlyerfan

OMG that is atrocious. Bang on comparison to our 5-5 play and our D!

None of our defense would crack tampas top 6

Possibly streit
- Just5

Just think Stralman was out there as a UFA at 4.5 but we got Happy Meal at 5 plus longer term. That one hurts

He's more then an okay defender, his zone coverage is very strong. He rarely blows a coverage. And he was much better then okay last night. In a game where the Flyers were very poor overall with the puck, he handled and moved the puck very strongly and efficiently. Del Zotto has not been playing well lately, and has not been using his skill set to push play, and to exert himself offensively. That's why he finds himself scratched.
- MJL

He was OK.

He is an average defender. His cap hit says he is top 32 in defensman. I think you can get what MacDonald does at a cheaper price.

Pretty sure, unless something greatly changes... There was an article a week or two ago where he announced his retirement. He said about how his health takes priority over hockey, as much as he loves it.
- WarriorHockey21

Sad...He was looking like a nhl caliber defenseman

Just think Stralman was out there as a UFA at 4.5 but we got Happy Meal at 5 plus longer term. That one hurts
- 3flyerkids

Why would he have come to Philly for $4.5m to play under Berube when he could have gone to Tampa and play for a good team, with a smart coach in a state with no income tax?

Bill,

How is Alt progressing since coming back from injury?
- J35Bacher

A little bit inconsistently, to be honest.

He was OK.

He is an average defender. His cap hit says he is top 32 in defensman. I think you can get what MacDonald does at a cheaper price.
- J35Bacher

I disagree. The only knock on MacDonald as far as I can see, is that he is not a physical defenseman. I'd like to see him exert himself more physically, and play more aggressively. As far as coverage is concerned in his own end, he is very sound, and very good with the puck. You're not going to get what he does much cheaper in Free Agency.

Why would he have come to Philly for $4.5m to play under Berube when he could have gone to Tampa and play for a good team, with a smart coach in a state with no income tax?
- Feanor

True enough, just a dream I guess

Why would he have come to Philly for $4.5m to play under Berube when he could have gone to Tampa and play for a good team, with a smart coach in a state with no income tax?
- Feanor

Stralman wouldn't come to the Flyers because Berube is not a smart coach?

Bellamare was really showing promise early in the season. He hasn't done anything lately. I'm sure it has nothing to do with having VandeVelde, and Rinaldo, two players who shouldn't be sniffing an NHL roster on his wings.

I disagree. The only knock on MacDonald as far as I can see, is that he is not a physical defenseman. I'd like to see him exert himself more physically, and play more aggressively. As far as coverage is concerned in his own end, he is very sound, and very good with the puck. You're not going to get what he does much cheaper in Free Agency.
- MJL

Stralman would have been nice

Peter Forsberg only played 68 games after 2005-06 but put up 69 points. The fact that over a point per game is "struggling" for Forsberg tells you how special he was.

Why would he have come to Philly for $4.5m to play under Berube when he could have gone to Tampa and play for a good team, with a smart coach in a state with no income tax?
- Feanor

Funny thing is McDonaughs cap hit is less then McDonalds. Same with Justin Faulk. Visnovsky, Bieksa, Hamhuis, Kronwall, Johnson, Kulikov, Vlasic, Shattenkirk.


I guess I just want more then what he brings for the cap hithe takes up.

Just think Stralman was out there as a UFA at 4.5 but we got Happy Meal at 5 plus longer term. That one hurts
- 3flyerkids

Yep. They paid market value for nothing. We gave up high picks in a decent draft for the privilege of overpaying macdonald


But just think about it. None of our d would crack their healthy top 6. Do we
Need to examine this any further?

Sad...He was looking like a nhl caliber defenseman
- PhillaBully

Definitely had potential.. The guy played big, and seemingly smart. Sad that a career with such promise is ended because of injury.

Stralman wouldn't come to the Flyers because Berube is not a smart coach?
- MJL

Tampa is much more attractive destination for many reasons.

And yes, Berube is dumb as (frank)ing rocks.

So the Flyers present is better (though they sit a point behind Buffalo)but the Sabres have a brighter future?
- PLindbergh31

Yup

Funny thing is McDonaughs cap hit is less then McDonalds. Same with Justin Faulk. Visnovsky, Bieksa, Hamhuis, Kronwall, Johnson, Kulikov, Vlasic, Shattenkirk.


I guess I just want more then what he brings for the cap hithe takes up.
- J35Bacher

Players are signed under different situations. Players signed as RFA's are going to come cheaper. Look at Wayne Simmonds deal for example. You overpay for Free agents. I just find it funny in a game where MacDonald was arguably their best defenseman, he is becoming a topic of discussion. I guess there has to be whipping boys.

Tampa is much more attractive destination for many reasons.

And yes, Berube is dumb as (frank)ing rocks.
- Feanor

I think the latter is an incredibly biased comment.

MacDonald is an OK defender. But his contract pays him to be better then ok. He played OK last night. I just think you can upgrade what he does for less money. Hell I think Del Zotto was giving you more then MacDonald and Del Zotto also brings an element that is needed on this team(puck moving defenseman who can join the rush)
- J35Bacher

Seems like they jumped the gun on MacDonald and paid him after a small sample size. He played well last year for the Flyers but only 19 games. I didn't watch him in New York but from what I hear, he wasn't exactly worth the deal he got from us either.

Watching the breakout last night was like watching a bad cover band try to play a song out of their league. It was sloppy, and horrible to watch. If you cant complete a wide open pass in your own zone you may as well just blow it up.

Its the Final Countdown for this team.


- MBFlyerfan

Players are signed under different situations. Players signed as RFA's are going to come cheaper. Look at Wayne Simmonds deal for example. You overpay for Free agents. I just find it funny in a game where MacDonald was arguably their best defenseman, he is becoming a topic of discussion. I guess there has to be whipping boys.
- MJL

Go figure. Finding scapegoats for a franchise that has outspent every other team in the NHL and currently sits in 27th place in a 30 team league.

Watching the breakout last night was like watching a bad cover band try to play a song out of their league. It was sloppy, and horrible to watch. If you cant complete a wide open pass in your own zone you may as well just blow it up.

Its the Final Countdown for this team.


- MBFlyerfan

I made it a full 37 second, how long did everyone else make it for?

He was OK.

He is an average defender. His cap hit says he is top 32 in defensman. I think you can get what MacDonald does at a cheaper price.
- J35Bacher

Absolutely

AMac is an average NHL defender:

Strengths: Solid positioning, decent shot blocker, makes a decent first pass

weaknesses: Gives up the blue line too easily, has no physical element to his game, is mediocre offensively

Overall: Average 2nd pair Dman

He is NOT worth 6 years and 30 million.

Players are signed under different situations. Players signed as RFA's are going to come cheaper. Look at Wayne Simmonds deal for example. You overpay for Free agents. I just find it funny in a game where MacDonald was arguably their best defenseman, he is becoming a topic of discussion. I guess there has to be whipping boys.
- MJL

I understand that.

BUt you act like MacDonald's skill set can't be found somewhere else or for cheaper.

I guess I just don't understand where you want this team to go because you onctinually defend the mediocrity on this team.

At his cap hit and contract I expect more then being ok in my own zone as pretty much his only skill. Yes he can make a nice outlet pass but so can Luke schenn.