For me it is he needs to be better two way number 3-5 type of defenseman. I think Niklas Hjalmarsson would be a kind of comparison. Just more points because I know he doesn't play against the top lines like Hjalmarsson does.

Sorry if I couldn't explain it better.
- J35Bacher

I agree with you, which is why I've repeatedly talked about the areas on the offensive side of the puck, that MacDonald has to improve at. I want him to play like a 2 way puck moving defenseman, rather than a defensive defenseman.

Everything but the gloves.

Gave those to OJ one year.
- J35Bacher

I'm surprised you couldn't have gotten them back at one of his many, "I'm broke so I need to sell everything I own to pay murder payments" auctions.

I mean, um, he was acquitted.

I agree with you, which is why I've repeatedly talked about the areas on the offensive side of the puck, that MacDonald has to improve at. I want him to play like a 2 way puck moving defenseman, rather than a defensive defenseman.
- MJL

That's my expectations of him and where I want him.

Right now I don't see it from him. If he brings that then I'll be ok. But if he doesn't then I'll think the contract is bad. I want good breakout passes, strong positional defense(he is not a physical defenseman) and limit the bad turnovers which he seems to give up when the other team is physical on the forecheck.

I think he can be better at that stuff. But I need to see it.

I'm surprised you couldn't have gotten them back at one of his many, "I'm broke so I need to sell everything I own to pay murder payments" auctions.

I mean, um, he was acquitted.
- jmatchett383

"If the glove don't fit you must acquit."

"If the glove don't fit you must acquit."
- J35Bacher

I can fit (very snugly) into my 20 1/2- month old daughter's (stretchy) gloves. Any grown man should be able to fit another grown man's gloves to a certain degree. But let's not go there.

So if I understand it amac just needs to play more like hjalmarsson than grossman and we should be good to go

So it's like living in Cleveland?
- jmatchett383

exactly!

So if I understand it amac just needs to play more like hjalmarsson than grossman and we should be good to go
- Just5

He could play like Doughty or Keith and people would still female dog

He could play like Doughty or Keith and people would still female dog
- Streit2ThePoint

"He's too slow!"
"His name is stupid!"
"He wears flip flops!"

So if I understand it amac just needs to play more like hjalmarsson than grossman and we should be good to go
- Just5

Not exactly.

Hjalmarsson faces a tougher competition then MacDonald. Also he doesn't have the same offensive skills.

MacDonald needs to be a better two way player this year. He won't be a shutdown guy like Hjalmarsson but he should be able to put up more points while playing a good positional defense.

Yeah, that was my main reason for hating the VL thing the minute it happened... quality ice time is so precious, and it should be going to the kids.

Hope Hakstol won't be afraid to put VL where he deserves to be on the depth chart.
- Tomahawk

Why would you not? Hopefully this cat understands that he is here to win hockey games

Like PSG said, giving somebody like Wheels or Umberger three months to find their games...why the hell would anybody come to the NHL, in a place like Philadelphia, to do that?

I mean, seriously. Players know the deal in training camp, and they adjust accordingly. Somebody like VDV or Ryan White isn't trying to hear about Lehigh Valley or waivers just so Wheels can figure it out, and Hakstol has to understand that immediately

Hmm
So Mark Streit finishes 2nd in the entire NHL for pp points for a dman, but he's not great on the powerplay.

Yup, that makes perfect sense to me.

Not exactly.

Hjalmarsson faces a tougher competition then MacDonald. Also he doesn't have the same offensive skills.

MacDonald needs to be a better two way player this year. He won't be a shutdown guy like Hjalmarsson but he should be able to put up more points while playing a good positional defense.
- J35Bacher

I just want to see AMac push the puck a little more, be a little more aggressive both with the puck and at the blue line without the puck.

Maybe some of that had to do with Berube's direction and usage.

I think we will know pretty early what Hack has planned in terms of Amac usage and role.

Do I think he is a terrible player? Not by a long shot. I DO think he is overpaid by 1 or 2 million, but that could change three years from now as salaries adjust.

I just want to see AMac push the puck a little more, be a little more aggressive both with the puck and at the blue line without the puck.

Maybe some of that had to do with Berube's direction and usage.

I think we will know pretty early what Hack has planned in terms of Amac usage and role.

Do I think he is a terrible player? Not by a long shot. I DO think he is overpaid by 1 or 2 million, but that could change three years from now as salaries adjust.
- MBFlyerfan

Honestly, if AMac could go out and play quality D while generating 5 or 6 goals and 25-30 points, I'd be fine with him at 5 million. I have yet to see that player.

hello

Honestly, if AMac could go out and play quality D while generating 5 or 6 goals and 25-30 points, I'd be fine with him at 5 million. I have yet to see that player.
- BiggE

Those stats would be pushing career highs for sure (5 goals, 24 assists, 27 points). Which is why I think he is overpaid. But as others have said, he doesn't suck. He just makes too much for what he does supply.

hello
- BulliesPhan87

hi.

Those stats would be pushing career highs for sure (5 goals, 24 assists, 27 points). Which is why I think he is overpaid. But as others have said, he doesn't suck. He just makes too much for what he does supply.
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed. I've said before, AMac at 3.5 million for 4 years = good deal, AMac at 4 million for 5 years = ok deal, AMac at 5 million for 6 years = bad deal.

Why would you not? Hopefully this cat understands that he is here to win hockey games

Like PSG said, giving somebody like Wheels or Umberger three months to find their games...why the hell would anybody come to the NHL, in a place like Philadelphia, to do that?

I mean, seriously. Players know the deal in training camp, and they adjust accordingly. Somebody like VDV or Ryan White isn't trying to hear about Lehigh Valley or waivers just so Wheels can figure it out, and Hakstol has to understand that immediately
- AllInForFlyers

Gotta wonder if Hak's gonna have the political capital at the start to put Vinny in his place -- Chief was a rookie coach, but he at least had his rep as an NHL player to add a bit of legitimacy to his decisions, and the players already treated him as an authority figure from his asst. days.

Guy like Hak walks in, never played an NHL game, never coached a pro game... he starts putting vets in tough spots and he could find himself dug in pretty quickly in that room.

Oh, this should be a fun day.
- MBFlyerfan

Isn't it always?

hello
- BulliesPhan87

Goodbye

hello
- BulliesPhan87

BulliesPhan87, good afternoon

BulliesPhan87, good afternoon
- Streit2ThePoint

username Streit2ThePoint, how you are?

hi.
- hammarby31

Agreed. I've said before, AMac at 3.5 million for 4 years = good deal, AMac at 4 million for 5 years = ok deal, AMac at 5 million for 6 years = bad deal.
- BiggE

Hard to believe Hjalmarsson still only makes a little over $4M despite him signing that largish offer sheet coming off of his ELC.