Alright miscreants, time for me to go workout, catch ya later.
- BiggE

Those scotch lifts can be killer in this heat.

Absolutely. Having 9.1 million tied up in Vinny and Umberger sucks, there is no other way to put it. AMac, as you said, can at least contribute, but he is also overpaid and will be difficult to move for at least 2 more years.
- BiggE

MacDonald being difficult to move is really a fan issue. MacDonald played pretty solidly defensively last year. It's the offensive side of the puck where he needs to improve. He has the ability to correct the shortcomings in his play last year in my opinion. If he does so, than the Flyers have themselves a pretty good top 4 two way defenseman, and there is no need to move him.

MacDonald being difficult to move is really a fan issue. MacDonald played pretty solidly defensively last year. It's the offensive side of the puck where he needs to improve. He has the ability to correct the shortcomings in his play last year in my opinion. If he does so, than the Flyers have themselves a pretty good top 4 two way defenseman, and there is no need to move him.
- MJL

I was able to make him part of my Shea Weber trade in NHL 14. Amac, Vinny, Luke Schenn, and 2 1sts.

I ONCE WENT TO BED WITH AN ITCHY BEHIND.

I WOKE UP AND WASN'T ABLE TO WALK...I MEAN, I HAD A SMELLY FINGER.
- jmatchett383

thats as bad as the horse with the buggy behind

Its called sarcasm. Lighten up, buddy
- GOA88

Nope, but he did beat Richards up.

Man, for a guy who fought as frequently as Richards, dude couldn't fight. So, yes, Brayden Schenn is like Mike Richards in that way.
- jmatchett383

When did he beat Richards in a fight? I remember the next time they played Booth and Richards fought. Richards held back on the guy at the end. Everyone kinda applauded Richards for answering for his dirty hit.

Alright miscreants, time for me to go workout, catch ya later.
- BiggE

Yeah that bottle of Glenmorganie won't drink itself

I was able to make him part of my Shea Weber trade in NHL 14. Amac, Vinny, Luke Schenn, and 2 1sts.
- jmatchett383

I traded L Schenn, and I believe 3 picks, 2 2nds and a 1st for Hedman. L Schenn has decent trade Value in the game.

Everyone who is convinced that MacDonald is a scrub.

Not sure why everyone is dead-set on MacDonald being a bad contract. He's barely played a full season worth of hockey in Philly. I recall Streit being the whipping boy when he first started out. Salaries will continue to rise, always at a faster clip for defenseman. I'm not sure if he ever justifies the cap hit, but I'm not going to say that he's a bust based on 1 full(ish) season.

What really annoys me, is how people are so quick to label a player's contract (or even career) based on a small sample size. And if they're right, it just pads their ego. But for everyone that poops on MacDonald. If he turns around and has an all-star caliber season, very few people will actually fess up and say that they jumped the gun. Everyone just wants to be at the front of the line with their snap judgments.

It's OK to give a guy some time for adjustments and settling in. No one will think less of you. Just as a reminder: MacDonald wasn't given $30M for the 2014-2015 season. He has 5 more years to live up to that contract.

The definition of having real cap issues in my opinion, is being forced to move quality core players that normally wouldn't be a move a team would make. The Flyers are not a team that is in that position. None of the contracts the Flyers have, other than Umbetger and Lecavalier, are serious issues, and even the long term ramifications of those contracts on the Flyers cap situation are over blown.

Not sure why everyone is dead-set on MacDonald being a bad contract. He's barely played a full season worth of hockey in Philly. I recall Streit being the whipping boy when he first started out. Salaries will continue to rise, always at a faster clip for defenseman. I'm not sure if he ever justifies the cap hit, but I'm not going to say that he's a bust based on 1 full(ish) season.

What really annoys me, is how people are so quick to label a player's contract (or even career) based on a small sample size. And if they're right, it just pads their ego. But for everyone that poops on MacDonald. If he turns around and has an all-star caliber season, very few people will actually fess up and say that they jumped the gun. Everyone just wants to be at the front of the line with their snap judgments.

It's OK to give a guy some time for adjustments and settling in. No one will think less of you. Just as a reminder: MacDonald wasn't given $30M for the 2014-2015 season. He has 5 more years to live up to that contract.
- steelydan

First of all, great post, and extremely well thought out. Second, that kind of sound logic won't be appreciated around here. There's a narrative attached to MacDonald, based on some really poor analysis and media coverage in the past, and that there were some areas of his game last year, that need to be better. Rather than looking at the skill level that is there, and that sometimes players put a lot of pressure on themselves when signing a long term deal, and it affects their game. It's just much easier to continue with the poor analysis, label him a 3rd pair defenseman, or minor upgrade, or whatever, and ignore the actual ability of the player, and the possibility that he can play better in those areas, and be an asset to the Flyers.

Not sure why everyone is dead-set on MacDonald being a bad contract. He's barely played a full season worth of hockey in Philly. I recall Streit being the whipping boy when he first started out. Salaries will continue to rise, always at a faster clip for defenseman. I'm not sure if he ever justifies the cap hit, but I'm not going to say that he's a bust based on 1 full(ish) season.

What really annoys me, is how people are so quick to label a player's contract (or even career) based on a small sample size. And if they're right, it just pads their ego. But for everyone that poops on MacDonald. If he turns around and has an all-star caliber season, very few people will actually fess up and say that they jumped the gun. Everyone just wants to be at the front of the line with their snap judgments.

It's OK to give a guy some time for adjustments and settling in. No one will think less of you. Just as a reminder: MacDonald wasn't given $30M for the 2014-2015 season. He has 5 more years to live up to that contract.
- steelydan

Because he's overpaid and has too long a term. I'd love to be wrong and will joyously admit it if he does become an all star caliber player. But looking at his time in NY and his time here, he's a decent 4-5 defenseman. With the right partner he can play on your second pair. Remember, the Isles, who drafted him and developed him and saw him play for them for several seasons wouldn't give him more than 4 years at a $4mm cap hit.

If he had the contract MDZ just signed, I'd have zero issue with him. Anything more than that, in cash or term, I'd have rather seen the Flyers walk away and go with somebody else.

The Isle not wanting to pay him what he could command in the UFA market, doesn't mean spit! That does not define a player. All that matter now, is how MacDonald plays in the future. The post just made does not include the possibility of MacDonald playing better than he did last season, and is just more of the same of what steelydan referenced. More snap final judgements on what MacDonald is as a player, without considering the possibility that he just had an off year.

Lol

When did he beat Richards in a fight? I remember the next time they played Booth and Richards fought. Richards held back on the guy at the end. Everyone kinda applauded Richards for answering for his dirty hit.
- mickel25

My bad, I didn't remember it correctly. Just rewatched it. They both landed 1 punch, Richards fell over, Booth hit him once, and it was done.

Not sure why everyone is dead-set on MacDonald being a bad contract. He's barely played a full season worth of hockey in Philly. I recall Streit being the whipping boy when he first started out. Salaries will continue to rise, always at a faster clip for defenseman. I'm not sure if he ever justifies the cap hit, but I'm not going to say that he's a bust based on 1 full(ish) season.

What really annoys me, is how people are so quick to label a player's contract (or even career) based on a small sample size. And if they're right, it just pads their ego. But for everyone that poops on MacDonald. If he turns around and has an all-star caliber season, very few people will actually fess up and say that they jumped the gun. Everyone just wants to be at the front of the line with their snap judgments.

It's OK to give a guy some time for adjustments and settling in. No one will think less of you. Just as a reminder: MacDonald wasn't given $30M for the 2014-2015 season. He has 5 more years to live up to that contract.
- steelydan

If he becomes an All-Star caliber player, even for 1 year, I'll gladly take back everything bad I've said about him to date.

But your 2 notes about the years is what the issue is. He's been with the team for 1+ year, and it was below average, overall. While there is the possibility for improvement, 1 year is more than enough of a sample size that I need of what type of player he is, and I'm not looking forward to five more seasons of it, especially at his cap hit. Were he he for 1-2 more years or signed for $2M less, I'd have no issue.

Lol
- PhillySportsGuy

Somehow this statement

I'd love to be wrong and will joyously admit it if he does become an all star caliber player. But looking at his time in NY and his time here, he's a decent 4-5 defenseman.

Ignores the possibility of him playing better in the future.

Par for the course, I guess. Like racism, the ones usually crying the loudest of hyperbole and other nonsense are the most guilty.

Lol
- PhillySportsGuy

GO AROUND!

I cannot open the wall! I don't know if you have a door on your side, but over here there's nothin'. It's just flat."

GO AROUND!

I cannot open the wall! I don't know if you have a door on your side, but over here there's nothin'. It's just flat."
- jmatchett383

He's waiting for Big E to get back with the scotch

First of all, great post, and extremely well thought out. Second, that kind of sound logic won't be appreciated around here. There's a narrative attached to MacDonald, based on some really poor analysis and media coverage in the past, and that there were some areas of his game last year, that need to be better. Rather than looking at the skill level that is there, and that sometimes players put a lot of pressure on themselves when signing a long term deal, and it affects their game. It's just much easier to continue with the poor analysis, label him a 3rd pair defenseman, or minor upgrade, or whatever, and ignore the actual ability of the player, and the possibility that he can play better in those areas, and be an asset to the Flyers.
- MJL

I agree that MacDonald never gets the benefit of the doubt. His play has not been great but I feel he is misused almost every second he plays.

My main issue with him is he is not really great at anything. Even when put in a favorable matchup or with a good partner. He is a good shot blocker and he will play in whatever situation the coach asks him to play. To me that is not worth the contract he received.

With that said, the contract is signed. Nothing can be done about that. I personally will not use it to evaluate his play moving forward. However, I will never be happy with the contract and will hope daily that they trade him sooner rather than later.

Because he's overpaid and has too long a term. I'd love to be wrong. But looking at his time in NY and his time here, he's a decent 4-5 defenseman. With the right partner he can play on your second pair. Remember, the Isles, who drafted him and developed him and saw him play for them for several seasons wouldn't give him more than 4 years at a $4mm cap hit.

If he had the contract MDZ just signed, I'd have zero issue with him. Anything more than that, in cash or term, I'd have rather seen the Flyers walk away and go with somebody else.
- Jsaquella

If he plays like he did last year for the remainder of his contract, then he is overpaid. As such, any term is too long when it's an overpayment. I think most people agreed that his usage in NY wasn't in line with where he was in his development (first pairing minutes).

If he steps up his game and plays more consistent, then he's probably in line with what other 3rd/4th defenseman make, perhaps 500K too much.

If his play stays where it is, then it's an overpayment and stings for another 5 years.

There's always the potential that he could step up his game exponentially and become a top-2 guy, but I don't think that's likely.

Either way, my point is that he played a role that he wasn't suited for in NYI, and then played a full season's worth of hockey over 2 years in Philly. I'm fine with people saying that he hasn't played well to date. I'm simply stating that it's foolish to close the book on a 28-year old that has only been with a team for 1 full season. Either way, people will continue to make their judgments as they see fit. I just prefer to take a more relaxed position and see if players were worth the entire contract; not just year 1.

Maybe instead of just posting to get to the next page, people could figure out how to properly post a (frank)ing video
- Jsaquella

There's also that little button called "preview" they could use to see if they (frank)ed up or not

He's waiting for Big E to get back with the scotch
- Jsaquella

Pffft. Like there's gonna be any left when he brings it back.

If he becomes an All-Star caliber player, even for 1 year, I'll gladly take back everything bad I've said about him to date.

But your 2 notes about the years is what the issue is. He's been with the team for 1+ year, and it was below average, overall. While there is the possibility for improvement, 1 year is more than enough of a sample size that I need of what type of player he is, and I'm not looking forward to five more seasons of it, especially at his cap hit. Were he he for 1-2 more years or signed for $2M less, I'd have no issue.
- jmatchett383

That's where I am

Edit- Quotes not working
One has to think that Lecavalier retires after this year, when:

A) his game has not markedly improved from last season;

B) he runs into the same benching problems with the new coach as the old coach; and,

C) he realizes... "I don't need this s***, I am a wealthy man. I have many leather bound books, and my office smells of rich mahogany."
- redcoat75


You would think....but Vinny will just end up hating Hakstol and making the same comments, I predict.

I predict Vinny will find himself unable to keep up with the pace of a high tempo game in tc and will be embarassed into retirement

Maybe they should invite Matt Cooke as UFA to TC finish the hack job on Vinnys wrist and arm from years ago. That was one of the worst stick fouls on an arm I ever saw in modern games. But since the Bolts were a few years removed from being Cup champs, the league didnt care, just like every criminal assault on ice from Matt Cooke.