Great point. I think Hextall receives the benefit of the doubt way too often and I have not been all that impressed with all of his moves.

I think Hextall has drafted extremely well and give him full credit there. All according to what I've read - I've never seen any of the guys actually play...

Getting rid of the Lecavalier & Pronger contracts I thought were good moves, especially in that we got Gagner with the Pronger one. The Schenn deal was whatever. And he's been able to plug some D-man holes with some serviceable and cheap options.

But...he was part of the team in LA when the Richards deal went down, so I think we all can agree the Flyers got the better end of that one. I thought at the time the Hartnell deal was awful and not worth the 1 year (?) that the contract would earlier end.

So while I don't think Hextall is awful, I also don't think he's as good as everybody thinks he is. Other than his drafting, I feel every other aspect is kind of underwhelming.
- wolphnuts12

You mean part of team that won two Stanley Cups? Terrible move

They can gain the roster spot by doing the same thing they did last season.
- MJL

And send him to the ECHL? AHL defense is just as packed

MacDonald is a fringe NHLer. Anyone who signed off on that contract is culpable.

AMac for Lupul.

AMac for Lupul.

AMac for Lupul.

AMac for Lupul.

Oops

And send him to the ECHL? AHL defense is just as packed
- YuenglingJagr

It is, and I didn't like it last year, and I wouldn't like it this year. It is an option however.

MacDonald is a fringe NHLer. Anyone who signed off on that contract is culpable.
- PhillySportsGuy

MacDonald is a bona fide NHL defenseman. The contract however is not a good one.

Just going to address the last part of your quote as I also don't want to get into a discussion about his skillset, etc. Dollars-wise, 2 years of full salary is the same as 4 years of half salary. But that's only a small part of the picture.

I think it's pretty clear why 2 years of full salary is advantageous to 4 years of half salary. Simply put, this team is not hurting for cap space this year. And they may or may not be hurting for it next season. But in the span of 4 years? I'm sure that 2.5M dead cap hit will preclude them from signing a FA, re-upping a roster player, etc. But, like I said, if he plays two years and draws the interest of another team; then there would be zero cap hit. I don't think it can get any clearer than that...
- steelydan

I think it is very obvious that Andrew MacDonald is not a player that deserves 5 million dollars per year. So saying he just needs to play okay for 2 more years and the Flyers get off without a scratch is making some VERY big assumptions. Teams will just LOVE giving up assets for a 31 year old "okay" defenseman making above market value. The Flyers made the mistake of paying him more than he is worth (deserved) so it will be their responsibility to adjust that salary to a level that is acceptable to another team

Oops
- hereticpride

lol...ill allow it

I would rather have Dale Weise than Ryan White, yes
- YuenglingJagr

You know what? Beat me to it. White is younger, more skill then Gordon. White in my opinion is worth 1.5 or less but only if you bring him back for 1 or 2 years. I think we lowball White.

Edit

Read your post wrong. We could have had Weise and White rather than Weise and Gordon. Habs traded Weise, Hawks didn't retain him. Hawks aren't a dumb team.

MacDonald is a bona fide NHL defenseman. The contract however is not a good one.
- MJL

Really? Even watching him night in and night out the last two years, still think he is a "bona fide" NHL dman? i think hes a tweener, he obviously looks great in the AHL, but he is too passive and out of position too much, and makes too many bad decisions, while it seems like second guessing himself at every turn.

lol...ill allow it
- YuenglingJagr

Work Wi-Fi sucks today

It is, and I didn't like it last year, and I wouldn't like it this year. It is an option however.
- MJL

I understand it is an option...im simply stating that I believe unless there is an injury and/or Provorov goes back to Brandon...the Flyers will have a log jam at the NHL and AHL level

Really? Even watching him night in and night out the last two years, still think he is a "bona fide" NHL dman? i think hes a tweener, he obviously looks great in the AHL, but he is too passive and out of position too much, and makes too many bad decisions, while it seems like second guessing himself at every turn.
- sjk540

He's fine as a third pairing defenseman with the right partner. When placed in the top 4, he struggles

AMac for Lupul.
- hereticpride

So....AMac for Lupul then?

You weren't super clear on that.

Bill must have wanted to get the commentariat riled up to put up an AMac post in the middle of July....

Probably going to be crucified for this but I don't think you see provorov this year unless it's a long term injury call up. I think about it this way we need roles. We need a top pairing (we don't have) we need 4 pkers. We need 2-3 pp guys. So let's say provorov makes the team. Can he pk? I think that's a lot to ask of the kid right away. I don't necessarily think he's ready to come on and log heavy pk minutes play all situations hockey. We know ghost and Streit are better suited not on the pk. Pp? Is he an upgrade over Streit or mdz ? Sure but is he a significant enough upgrade to lose everything else those guys bring. Mdz was our best defenseman before going down. Streit is one of our leaders in a locker room that was questioned about leadership during parts of last season. Schultz for whatever you want to say about him blocked somewhere in the realm of 30 ovi shots on the pk last year you remove him that could of been 10 15 more goals. Gudas this forum likes so I don't think I need to comment on him. I don't see it. I think you could just as easily see provorov getting another year of juniors and potentially a year in the ahl. Also remember Sanheim 1st camp verse his 2nd. Rock star year 1 conservative year 2 who needs work.

Also the white argument. He's never showed that much offense in his life or shoot percentage. There is every reason to believe he won't ever do that again. He also took several untimely penalties and had a reputation that led him to penalties that shouldn't of been called. Gordon will never put you in that situation. Weise while not a Rockstar top 6 guy is a top 9 guy whose provided that everywhere he goes. While he walks the line he doesn't generate a top of penalties called on himself. He also has proven to be able to chip in secondary offense. The comparisons are assanine.

I understand it is an option...im simply stating that I believe unless there is an injury and/or Provorov goes back to Brandon...the Flyers will have a log jam at the NHL and AHL level
- YuenglingJagr

He'll be the 8th defenseman on the NHL roster

Really? Even watching him night in and night out the last two years, still think he is a "bona fide" NHL dman? i think hes a tweener, he obviously looks great in the AHL, but he is too passive and out of position too much, and makes too many bad decisions, while it seems like second guessing himself at every turn.
- sjk540

Yes really. Hakstol seemed to agree as well once he was back in the lineup.

I think he is a solid 4-5.

He's fine as a third defenseman with the right partner. When placed in the top 4, he struggles
- PhillySportsGuy

He's like a 3rd or 4th line forward that doesn't look out of place in a small sample size on a higher line, but over time, gets badly exposed.

He's fine as a third defenseman with the right partner. When placed in the top 4, he struggles
- PhillySportsGuy

so hes just "fine" as a 3rd pairing guy, IF hes with the right partner? i just dont see it, i cringe every time someone comes down the right side of the ice with speed, he just isnt reliable, even for a 3rd pairing guy in my mind.

Yes really. Hakstol seemed to agree as well once he was back in the lineup.

I think he is a solid 4-5.
- MBFlyerfan

If he wasn't making 5mil a year, we'd probably like him a little more, even with his shortcomings.