I'm not a huge fan of his. I think some of his antics are a disgrace, that said he would probably be the best dman on the Flyers.
- PLindbergh31

Imagine if he was on the Flyers and a played a game like last night...he'd be the new Luke Coburn.

http://www.nicholsonhockey.com/worthreading/2014/12/22/friedman-on-bruins-blues-flyers-blue-jackets

Hextall says term is difficult to move, because teams fear taking on a big deal with economic uncertainty of the cap moving forward
- Jsaquella

This.

Grossmann, Schenn, etc... somebody would really have to love them to accept that extra year on the contracts. AMac, forget about it.

Clearly Berube has something against MDZ.
- wolfhounds

It's about his play on the ice.

This.

Grossmann, Schenn, etc... somebody would really have to love them to accept that extra year on the contracts. AMac, forget about it.
- Tomahawk

It's always been that way because of the cap, but it's worse now, because teams are smarter about not taking leaps of faith on older players rebounding

It's as it should be. When the Flyers get out from under Vinny and Umberger, I think they'll be a lot smarter about term -- nothing to do about MacDonald; hopefully on of the kids will be an ideal partner for him

Didn't like the MacDonald/Schenn pairing last night at all. MacDonald wasn't physical enough and Schenn was too slow. Both need to be better, IMO

It's always been that way because of the cap, but it's worse now, because teams are smarter about not taking leaps of faith on older players rebounding
- AllInForFlyers

And rich team owners know that crap is pretty messed up right now with worker wages, management salaries, energy, war, the student loan bubble and the general crime fest that is Wall St. So there's that to worry about.

This.

Grossmann, Schenn, etc... somebody would really have to love them to accept that extra year on the contracts. AMac, forget about it.
- Tomahawk

Snow, to Wang..... I told you.... Once we got rid of him....

Snow, to Wang..... I told you.... Once we got rid of him....
- PLindbergh31

I am hopeful that Morin is the kind of player who fits best with MacDonald, and I hope that fit is fast

It's about his play on the ice.
- MJL

Not to jump into the debate, but I think the other side of the coin is others have also played poorly, why are they not sitting? I could see sitting any defenseman not named Streit. Although I wouldn't think it wise to sit Coburn, and Schultz has handled himself better than expected. Still, a case could be made for nearly all of them to watch a game from a comfy chair.

Conclusion: bias.

Imagine if he was on the Flyers and a played a game like last night...he'd be the new Luke Coburn.
- wolfhounds

It's easier to overlook a dman's defensive inconsistencies when he brings some offense to the table. Coburn doesn't really do that.

I am hopeful that Morin is the kind of player who fits best with MacDonald, and I hope that fit is fast
- AllInForFlyers

I think Bobby Orr circa 1970 would be a fit with MacDonald. That could be a suitable top pairing.

It's easier to overlook a dman's defensive inconsistencies when he brings some offense to the table. Coburn doesn't really do that.
- PLindbergh31

Yup, I'm sure they get more rope.

I think Bobby Orr circa 1970 would be a fit with MacDonald. That could be a suitable top pairing.
- PLindbergh31

Man, I am just hoping for a third pair that doesn't have one guy who gets blown past while the other guy gets roughed up down low

Winnipeg was really taking it to that third pair, and Coburn looked rough again

It was looking ugly until they sat back in the third. It was a nice win, and I will take it. But three defensemen were getting exposed quite a bit in the first two periods, and it wasn't pretty

Not to jump into the debate, but I think the other side of the coin is others have also played poorly, why are they not sitting? I could see sitting any defenseman not named Streit. Although I wouldn't think it wise to sit Coburn, and Schultz has handled himself better than expected. Still, a case could be made for nearly all of them to watch a game from a comfy chair.

Conclusion: bias.
- wolfhounds

Agreed.

If it was strictly about play on the ice, the entrance to the D-doghouse would be a revolving door. To select one player to sit for an extended time while other d-men exhibit the same porous play, is clearly bias.

Man, I am just hoping for a third pair that doesn't have one guy who gets blown past while the other guy gets roughed up down low

Winnipeg was really taking it to that third pair, and Coburn looked rough again

It was looking ugly until they sat back in the third. It was a nice win, and I will take it. But three defensemen were getting exposed quite a bit in the first two periods, and it wasn't pretty
- AllInForFlyers

It's not a good mix. Hextall has a lot of work to do to build that backend. Not sure how he's going to do it. Have to hope a few of the prospects pan out.

It's not a good mix. Hextall has a lot of work to do to build that backend. Not sure how he's going to do it. Have to hope a few of the prospects pan out.
- PLindbergh31

No no.. they're all doing great... except MDZ.. which is why he's sitting, and they all keep playing.

Not to jump into the debate, but I think the other side of the coin is others have also played poorly, why are they not sitting? I could see sitting any defenseman not named Streit. Although I wouldn't think it wise to sit Coburn, and Schultz has handled himself better than expected. Still, a case could be made for nearly all of them to watch a game from a comfy chair.

Conclusion: bias.
- wolfhounds

I posted about that a few pages back. I don't see it as bias. If Del Zotto had continued to play as he had for that two week or so stretch, he wouldn't have been scratched.
Streit had struggled for for a few games before the weekend, but as a veteran player who has played well as a Flyer, he is going to be given the opportunity to play through that. The coach knows that his game will return to form.
A player like Del Zotto whose game the last few years has been trending backwards on multiple teams, and hasn't fully established himself as a Flyer, isn't going to get the same leeway that Striet or Grossmann is going to get.
If anyone wants to lable that as a bias, I'd disagree. That leeway has been earned by those players, where Del Zotto has not earned the same leeeway. Fair or unfair, that's the way it has always been in the NHL.

Agreed.

If it was strictly about play on the ice, the entrance to the D-doghouse would be a revolving door. To select one player to sit for an extended time while other d-men exhibit the same porous play, is clearly bias.
- 77rams

It's exactly what Berube has stated it is. It comes down to an individual player basis. Every player is not going to get the same amount of leash. It has never been that way in any pro sport, Hockey included.

I posted about that a few pages back. I don't see it as bias. If Del Zotto had continued to play as he had for that two week or so stretch, he wouldn't have been scratched.
Streit had struggled for for a few games before the weekend, but as a veteran player who has played well as a Flyer, he is going to be given the opportunity to play through that. The coach knows that his game will return to form.
A player like Del Zotto whose game the last few years has been trending backwards on multiple teams, and hasn't fully established himself as a Flyer, isn't going to get the same leeway that Striet or Grossmann is going to get.
If anyone wants to lable that as a bias, I'd disagree. That leeway has been earned by those players, where Del Zotto has not earned the same leeeway. Fair or unfair, that's the way it has always been in the NHL.
- MJL

Then why was Vinny sitting for so many games, while Umberger was still playing? Vinny has been around longer than RJ, and has a cup under his belt. So why was Vinny the first one to be sat down? Or, instead of Umberger, VdV? Or Coots when he was in his funk? According to that logic, Vinny should have had more leeway than any of those guys who still kept playing..

Again.. I stand by my opinion that Berube is inconsistent.. or bias.. whichever you want to call it.

No no.. they're all doing great... except MDZ.. which is why he's sitting, and they all keep playing.
- WarriorHockey21

They have strung some points together of late, most coaches would keep rolling with the same lineup. I think MDZ will get another chance to play.

I keep seeing Yandle's name coming up in rumors. Is this not the dman the flyers need. Not sure of age...only sure that he plays a ton of minutes on a mediocre team; puts up points; blocks shots and plays a physical game. I know we value our young guys, but do you mean to tell me we couldn't package up vinny with any one of couturier, schenn, read, laughton or almost anyone else to get who I feel is a top-tier defensemen in the league.
Why we're at it, why not kick the tires on Bieksa? I think if the flyers can make the playoffs as a bottom team, they can surprise teams like Pittsburgh, Montreal, and maybe Tampa...

how far are they going to go, when they have to score 4 goals to win a game?

sure, against the laffs or winterpeg missing 4 of their top 6 D, but that is about it

I keep seeing Yandle's name coming up in rumors. Is this not the dman the flyers need. Not sure of age...only sure that he plays a ton of minutes on a mediocre team; puts up points; blocks shots and plays a physical game. I know we value our young guys, but do you mean to tell me we couldn't package up vinny with any one of couturier, schenn, read, laughton or almost anyone else to get who I feel is a top-tier defensemen in the league.
Why we're at it, why not kick the tires on Bieksa? I think if the flyers can make the playoffs as a bottom team, they can surprise teams like Pittsburgh, Montreal, and maybe Tampa...
- dmorin

I promise you that if he trade one of Schenn, Coots, or Laughton for Yandle, it will be deeply regretted in 3 years when Yandle gets pushed out of a top 3 roster spot by our young dmen while one of those 3 young forwards becomes a solidified top liner.

They have strung some points together of late, most coaches would keep rolling with the same lineup. I think MDZ will get another chance to play.
- PLindbergh31

Exactly -- he'll get another chance, whether through injury or trade

I liked his game and wished he was playing, but TBH, I've got bigger worries than him right now. The Flyers are still alive, even though the math is inconvenient in a few areas, and I'm more hoping that this team can somehow pull together another few wins in a row, here

It's not a good mix. Hextall has a lot of work to do to build that backend. Not sure how he's going to do it. Have to hope a few of the prospects pan out.
- PLindbergh31

He has to move two of these guys and let a contract expire I'd think before July 1.

Byfuglien isn't a very likable guy, there is no denying his offensive ability though. He's not great defensively by any means, but I don't think he's a huge liability either. (no pun intended). Byfuglien is one of those players that you hate, but if he's on your team you like him. Kinda of like he's an bumhole, but he's our bumhole.
- PLindbergh31

All of you were fawning over him last night during the 2nd intermission.

Can you imagine the poop he would have gotten in had the refs actually called him for penalties? He could have gotten a major and given the Flyers a 5 on 3 when he boarded Giroux. He also hooked Schenn and slashed his stick in half, which would have also led to a 5 on 3.

He's always been the same guy. Physically gifted, positionally unsound and lacks discipline.

By the end of one season, the media and fans would eat him alive here (no pun intended)