Flyers have 7 bonafide NHL defenseman, and there is competition for playing time. 8 if you want to count Colaiacovo. MacDonald has been paired with Del Zotto, which is a pairing I'm not crazy about, in which both players are finesse puck movers. If it's true that Berube wanted more physicality on the defense for the Caps game, that would be the pairing to do it. Last game I thought that Del Zotto played pretty good, and that MacDonald was sub par. So it makes sense to sit MAcDonald and insert Schenn.
- MJL

Flyers have 7 bonafide NHL defenseman, and there is competition for playing time. 8 if you want to count Colaiacovo. MacDonald has been paired with Del Zotto, which is a pairing I'm not crazy about, in which both players are finesse puck movers. If it's true that Berube wanted more physicality on the defense for the Caps game, that would be the pairing to do it. Last game I thought that Del Zotto played pretty good, and that MacDonald was sub par. So it makes sense to sit MAcDonald and insert Schenn.
- MJL

I'm here because I can "watch" the game with others. My kids are not much in the way of insight...Dad, Giroux's really good. I like Voracek.

Actually, my kids are already smarter about hockey than 99% of Flyers Facebook posters.
- Jsaquella

haha yeah. i see. at least they arent jaded yet

So solid he's now a scratch...........
- ob18

Flyers have given up 33 goals in the last 11 games. MacDonald has been on the ice for 5 goals against in that time. Only 2 of which, in my opinion, he was at fault for.

Some UFA d-men in 2015.

Oduya, 33 years old
Beauchemin, 35 years old
Ehrhoff, 32 years old
Martin, 34 years old
Boychuk, 31 years old
Green, 29 years old
Staal, 28 years old
Sekera, 28 years old
Stuart, 34 years old
Petry, 27 years old

Seems to be the best cream of the crop. Not sure how much movement we can see from the back end though. Will it be worth it long term to move Coburn and have to replace him? Don't see any more interest than that, other than maybe Schultz
- flyer_nutter

i really dont see it as that great of a crop. the pens duo are going to be able to cash in big time should they choose. i think sekera could potentially be a sneaky good signing for someone.

It's doable, but they're already using LTIR now to ice a team. Yes, counting the "flexibility" gained from that, they can make some moves, but have to utilize an artificial measure to make the cap work.

There's 4 or 5 contracts that are guys simply getting paid more than they are worth at this juncture in their careers. I'm not sure how you can have a full 25% of your team being overpaid and call it good cap management.
- Jsaquella

Using LTIR is not using an artificial measure. It is as much a normal part of cap management as any other tool, and is a function of the CBA.

Flyers have given up 33 goals in the last 11 games. MacDonald has been on the ice for 5 goals against in that time. Only 2 of which, in my opinion, he was at fault for.
- MJL

Great that doesn't mean his play has been worthy enough to warrant staying in the lineup.

His overall play has not been good, okay, or any other word people want to use. You can defend him all you'd like but being a scratch now would suggest he's not been playing well and now the coaches feel he needs to sit.

And yes I know the team as a whole the team is well below par in doing their jobs individually and as a group

Some UFA d-men in 2015.

Oduya, 33 years old
Beauchemin, 35 years old
Ehrhoff, 32 years old
Martin, 34 years old
Boychuk, 31 years old
Green, 29 years old
Staal, 28 years old
Sekera, 28 years old
Stuart, 34 years old
Petry, 27 years old

Seems to be the best cream of the crop. Not sure how much movement we can see from the back end though. Will it be worth it long term to move Coburn and have to replace him? Don't see any more interest than that, other than maybe Schultz
- flyer_nutter

Interesting list this year.

Flyers have 7 bonafide NHL defenseman, and there is competition for playing time. 8 if you want to count Colaiacovo. MacDonald has been paired with Del Zotto, which is a pairing I'm not crazy about, in which both players are finesse puck movers. If it's true that Berube wanted more physicality on the defense for the Caps game, that would be the pairing to do it. Last game I thought that Del Zotto played pretty good, and that MacDonald was sub par. So it makes sense to sit MAcDonald and insert Schenn.
- MJL

what is your standard for bonafide NHL defenseman? im willing to agree that the flyers defenseman arent as individually bad as the results show. weve been over before, i really do think the mix is the issue.

but man, colaiacovo is stretching it.

i really dont see it as that great of a crop. the pens duo are going to be able to cash in big time should they choose. i think sekera could potentially be a sneaky good signing for someone.
- stayinthefnnet

Sekera would be my target. Fly under the radar kind of signing. I'd roll the dice on Beauchemin as a mentor for a guy like Ghost.

The only biggest thing I will miss about Timonen was his ability to mentor. Think young d-men in particular need to play with someone solid. Not a Luke Schenn or MacDonald.

The FA year to make moves is the season after.

yeah. im willing to cut the management a break on some of them.

read is having an awful year, and this is out of no where. i still maintain that his contract was a good one when given, even though right now it looks like a bad one. (if thats one of the ones youre considering in your 4 or 5)
- stayinthefnnet

Read playing as poorly as he is is killing this team. That's how important he has been to this team in past seasons. Combine with Umberger, I think it's really hurting Couturier also.

Sekera would be my target. Fly under the radar kind of signing. I'd roll the dice on Beauchemin as a mentor for a guy like Ghost.

The only biggest thing I will miss about Timonen was his ability to mentor. Think young d-men in particular need to play with someone solid. Not a Luke Schenn or MacDonald.

The FA year to make moves is the season after.
- flyer_nutter

He's a good player, but it's just a question of cost. There are a number of good defenseman on the UFA list. The only question is should the Flyers get involved in the bidding wars.

MacDonald is a scratch tonight?
- SuperSchennBros

Long overdue.

Great that doesn't mean his play has been worthy enough to warrant staying in the lineup.

His overall play has not been good, okay, or any other word people want to use. You can defend him all you'd like but being a scratch now would suggest he's not been playing well and now the coaches feel he needs to sit.

And yes I know the team as a whole the team is well below par in doing their jobs individually and as a group
- ob18

yeah. ive largely defended amac, but there are really no circumstances in which i can see someone slated to be a top 4 5 million a year defenseman being a healthy scratch as anything but a red flag. its not a sign of depth. its a glaring indictment of a player's performance.

yeah. im willing to cut the management a break on some of them.

read is having an awful year, and this is out of no where. i still maintain that his contract was a good one when given, even though right now it looks like a bad one. (if thats one of the ones youre considering in your 4 or 5)
- stayinthefnnet

I asked a question a few days ago. It was, how many players on the Flyers roster are playing markedly worse than expected? Based on trends, recent past performance and realistic expectations given usage & roles played, my answer was 2.

Read and Coburn.

There are guys playing poorly, but nobody else is playing so badly that no reasonable fan would really be able to say there was no indication he'd play this way. There's the issue.

Is MacDonald really sitting tonight because I would have gone Schultz weeks ago. Plus I can only assume Schenn and Del Zotto go back together and rekindled their abysmal chemistry.

what is your standard for bonafide NHL defenseman? im willing to agree that the flyers defenseman arent as individually bad as the results show. weve been over before, i really do think the mix is the issue.

but man, colaiacovo is stretching it.
- stayinthefnnet

I went with 7, and said 8 if you want to include Colaiacovo.

yeah. ive largely defended amac, but there are really no circumstances in which i can see someone slated to be a top 4 5 million a year defenseman being a healthy scratch as anything but a red flag. its not a sign of depth. its a glaring indictment of a player's performance.
- stayinthefnnet

I believe he can improve but will be I have no idea.

Some UFA d-men in 2015.

Oduya, 33 years old
Beauchemin, 35 years old
Ehrhoff, 32 years old
Martin, 34 years old
Boychuk, 31 years old
Green, 29 years old
Staal, 28 years old
Sekera, 28 years old
Stuart, 34 years old
Petry, 27 years old

Seems to be the best cream of the crop. Not sure how much movement we can see from the back end though. Will it be worth it long term to move Coburn and have to replace him? Don't see any more interest than that, other than maybe Schultz
- flyer_nutter

Jeffrey Petry, that is all.

yeah. ive largely defended amac, but there are really no circumstances in which i can see someone slated to be a top 4 5 million a year defenseman being a healthy scratch as anything but a red flag. its not a sign of depth. its a glaring indictment of a player's performance.
- stayinthefnnet

It's really not in my opinion. It is about depth, wanting a more physical element, and Del Zotto played well last game, and MacDonald had a subpar game, so he sits.

Jeffrey Petry, that is all.
- Tomahawk

Or

Noah Hanifin
Oliver Kylington
Zack Werenski
Jeremy Roy

I asked a question a few days ago. It was, how many players on the Flyers roster are playing markedly worse than expected? Based on trends, recent past performance and realistic expectations given usage & roles played, my answer was 2.

Read and Coburn.

There are guys playing poorly, but nobody else is playing so badly that no reasonable fan would really be able to say there was no indication he'd play this way. There's the issue.
- Jsaquella

Brayden Schenn hasn't scored a goal in 13 games I believe. Scott Laugthon has tailed off, and really isn't ready for a scoring line center role. That 2nd line isn't giving the Flyers much offensively, as it's been a bad mix that lacks a playmaker and puck carrier. The 3rd line with Read struggling is also hurting them.

Or

Noah Hanifin
Oliver Kylington
Zack Werenski
Jeremy Roy
- ob18

Why not both?

Why not both?
- Tomahawk

If I had to choose I'd pick one of the 4 I mentioned..........Both would be better, since one won't be here for years.

Jeffrey Petry, that is all.
- Tomahawk

Not bad I guess, haven't seen much of him.

I wouldn't mind keeping the kids away from this until bigger changes can be made the following year with a more promising FA pool and the departure of Grossmann and Luke when their contracts are up.

Its why I didn't want Laughton up here exposed to the trash, but that's another story. No d-man prospect should have to play with these boys on defense. Wait one more year after this season is done. Wont happen but I can dream I guess.