Ah, that's actually wrong in my opinion. MacDonald has not been waived and demoted because he's an AHL caliber defenseman. MacDonald is absolutely an NHL caliber defenseman.
- MJL

And in my opinion he's right where he deserves to be.

At practice?

- MJL

Yea I suppose hextall could work the deal over his cell phone at practice.

And in my opinion he's right where he deserves to be.
- landros 2

That's fine, in a small way, if he had played better last year, he may not find himself in that situation. He does share some responsibility there.

Gudas is better.

But I don't think Schenn is. Luke's possession numbers went in the toilet as soon as he moved up the lineup and faced tougher opponents.

Manning definitely isn't. If MacDonald was putting up his stats there would be articles every week from the analytic community laughing about how terrible he is. But no one outside of Philly cares about how Manning is allowing an insane number of shots in very easy minutes.
- Feanor

In his last handful of games minus last night, Manning has posted a CF% of 68 (led team), 62.5, 52 (led d men), 61, 67 (Ghost and him led team). All in a row. Could Ghost do better away from Manning? Probably. But he’s been doing well of late and hasn’t been an impediment. Long term I don't like him, I'd like him replaced with Alt as soon as yesterday, but he has shown some improvements. Got to give a guy some credit when it's due.

As for Luke, he's seeing tough competition while playing with possession anchor Schultz. His slight possession drop isn't unexpected and not severe enough to warrant concern. The fact that Luke has done average with Schultz, and improved his numbers by a significant margin is a ringing endorsement. They're not in the toilet considering.

My 6/7 defenseman is better than everyone else's 6/7 defenseman

So why don't the Flyers admit the mistake and waive Schenn?
- MJL

Because he's earning less and is on the last year of his contract.

Ah, that's actually wrong in my opinion. MacDonald has not been waived and demoted because he's an AHL caliber defenseman. MacDonald is absolutely an NHL caliber defenseman.
- MJL

So, as you've agreed, it's not a money issue. So AMac being sent to the AHL is strictly because he can be waived without fear of being claimed, is that right?

Gudas is clearly better... his big mistakes/penalties stick in the mind, but overall, the Flyers have been much better overall with him on the ice than Amac, Grossmann, Schultz, etc. It seems like he's got attackers worrying about him when he's out there -- nobody ever worried about those other guys. His puck-moving ability is way underrated, too.

Luke is also better.

Schultz, Manning, Amac... if any of them are better than the others, it's debatable. What's not debatable is that the Flyers obviously don't think much of AMac anymore.
- Tomahawk

I don't think AMAC is better than Schenn at all. that said, I think he is a solid #3 pair guy. its just unfortunate he is making 5 million

Because he's earning less and is on the last year of his contract.
- wolfhounds

Because he is on the last year of his contract, if the Flyers attempted to waive him, he would most certainly be claimed, and the Flyers would lose a potential trade chip for nothing, and lose out on gaining a potential future asset.

There's a 5 page conversation about MacDonald...saying somebody is infringing on anyone's ability to beat MacDonald to death is like Billy O'Reilly saying there's a war on Christmas at the Macy's Thanksgiving parade
- Jsaquella

Starbuck's hates Christmas. It's true.

So, as you've agreed, it's not a money issue. So AMac being sent to the AHL is strictly because he can be waived without fear of being claimed, is that right?
- wolfhounds

That's incorrect, there are a number of factors that I've discussed in multiple posts. We can't pretend that MacDonald's play not measuring up to his contract, is not a factor. Last season, he did not play up to the level of his contract, and he probably never will. The fact that he makes 5M a year, is what enables him to safely pass through waivers. So how can money not be a factor?

Because he is on the last year of his contract, if the Flyers attempted to waive him, he would most certainly be claimed, and the Flyers would lose a potential trade chip for nothing, and lose out on gaining a potential future asset.
- MJL

Sure. But to waive or not to waive is only an issue after the season starts, right? The Flyers could have have had AMac up with the team from the get-go if they thought he was one of their top-7.

Sure. But to waive or not to waive is only an issue after the season starts, right? The Flyers could have have had AMac up with the team from the get-go if they thought he was one of their top-7.
- wolfhounds

Any player who is not wavier exempt has to clear waivers to be sent down if the player is not going to be on the opening day roster. Yes, the Flyers could've had MacDonald on the team from the get go, if they're were willing to waive and risk losing other players.

That's incorrect, there are a number of factors that I've discussed in multiple posts. We can't pretend that MacDonald's play not measuring up to his contract, is not a factor. Last season, he did not play up to the level of his contract, and he probably never will. The fact that he makes 5M a year, is what enables him to safely pass through waivers. So how can money not be a factor?
- MJL

I thought you said money was not a factor...

Paying him is not a factor, they're paying him the same salary whether he plays for the Flyers or in the AHL. It's a combination of two things. He can safely pass through waivers without getting claimed, while the other defenseman cannot. Secondly, he did not play so well last season that the Flyers feel they can't be without him on the team.
- MJL

So basically, AMac isn't up with the Flyers because he isn't playing good enough to displace any of our current defenemen.

Nobody will convince me that if AMac was playing well, the Flyers would have him up (he's getting paid regardless, and is contracted for years to come) and roll the dice with Manning by sending him back to the AHL.

Do you think the Flyers made a mistake in trading for Luke Schenn?
- MJL

I don't think Holmgren made a mistake trading for Schenn at all, I do think Holmgren made a mistake trading JVR straight up for Schenn tho. I said it at the time and nothing I've seen has made me feel differently. I actually like Schenn in the role of defensive dman.

I thought you said money was not a factor...



So basically, AMac isn't up with the Flyers because he isn't playing good enough to displace any of our current defenemen.

Nobody will convince me that if AMac was playing well, the Flyers would have him up (he's getting paid regardless, and is contracted for years to come) and roll the dice with Manning by sending him back to the AHL.
- wolfhounds

Paying him a salary is not a factor, as I explained, he get's the same salary whether he plays in the NHL or the AHL. The Flyers don;t save any salary money by sending him down. Cap money, however is a factor. I don't think it has anything to do with how he is playing currently. He is as good of a player as arguably, 4 of the defenseman on the team currently. He is certainly a better player than Manning is. However, you can't discount that the Flyers were not happy with his play last season in relation to his contract. That is most certainly a factor. The Flyers made this decsion, in my opinion in the off season, before training camp even began.

I don't think Holmgren made a mistake training for Schenn at all, I do think Holmgren made a mistake trading JVR straight up for Schenn tho. I said it at the time and nothing I've seen has made me feel differently. I actually like Schenn in the role of defensive dman.
- nastyflyergirl

I like Schenn also, but I think MacDonald is better.

He's not a NHL dman.
- Nucker101

Actually, Nucker, he is an NHL Dman. He's played much better since being paired with Ghost and did a fine job on the PK last night. That pairing will probably stay together and continue to improve. Get used to ManDog sticking around for a while.

I like Schenn also, but I think MacDonald is better.
- MJL

I am willing to bet polling a group of NHL scouts and GMs asking who is better, Schenn would win that poll

I am willing to bet polling a group of NHL scouts and GMs asking who is better, Schenn would win that poll
- nastyflyergirl

I doubt it but unless either of us can produce that poll, what does it matter? MacDonald is just as good if not better in his own end, and he has better mobility, and handles the puck better than Schenn does. That's what the game is about now.

MacDonald has a goal tonight in the AHL. My man.

MacDonald has a goal tonight in the AHL. My man.
- Mononoke

Beauty of a set up by Rosehill. Nostalgia

I doubt it but unless either of us can produce that poll, what does it matter? MacDonald is just as good if not better in his own end, and he has better mobility, and handles the puck better than Schenn does. That's what the game is about now.
- MJL

Can you provide evidence he has any of those qualities better than Schenn?

Can you provide evidence he has any of those qualities better than Schenn?
- Mononoke

Yes, watch him play. Can you provide evidence that he is not?

Do you really need me to provide evidence that MacDonald is a better skater than Luke Schenn is?

MacDonald has a goal tonight in the AHL. My man.
- Mononoke

See he's found his niche!!!!